Santa Paula, California-based Calavo Growers has hired Andy Foster to support the company’s recently aligned prepared division as VP of sales, national accounts. Foster brings more than 25 years’ experience in the food industry, including more than a decade in fresh cut produce and fresh prepared foods with companies such as Taylor Farms and Boskovich Farms, and […]
Author Archives: Sommer Stockton
Digital Content Editor
Sommer joined The Shelby Report in January 2022 after graduating from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, with a B.A. and M.A. in Communications and Media Studies. As Digital Content Editor, she leverages her expertise in digital strategy and content creation to enhance The Shelby Report’s online presence and engage readers.
Committed to the grocery industry, Sommer also serves on an advisory committee with the National Grocers Association (NGA), advocating for independent grocers. She enjoys exploring emerging trends and delivering actionable insights to the Shelby community.
Posted inSnacks Brands, National
Voortman Cookies Launches Limited-Edition Holiday Flavors
Burlington, Ontario-based Voortman has launched holiday-inspired wafers and cookies made with real ingredients. The signature seasonal treats, including two new flavors, are rolling out across the U.S. and Canada and will be available in stores for a limited time. The Voortman items hitting U.S. store shelves this holiday season are: Candy Cane Flavored Wafers: Cool peppermint-flavored crème […]
Posted inCenter Store, Southeast
Study Reports On Consumer Insights, Pet Ownership Trends
Franklin, Tennessee-based Mars Petcare launched the “Pets for Better Wellbeing” report, which uses new consumer insights to highlight current ownership trends. The company’s fourth annual report analyzes the impact of pet ownership on mental and physical wellbeing, comparing responses of owners to non-animal owners – and examines potential hurdles to adding four-legged family members. “The insights […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest
Hy-Vee Named 2022 Midwest Retailer Of The Year
Hy-Vee has been named The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2022 Retailer of the Year. The retailer operates more than 550 retail locations, including retail, convenience, clinics and wine and spirits stores across eight Midwestern states, with plans to expand father into and beyond the region. Join us in the pages that follow as we […]
Posted inBeverage News, West
L.A. Libations Makes Investment In Hi-Touch Distributing
L.A. Libations, a beverage creator, incubator and accelerator, has taken a major stake in Hi-Touch Distributing. Hi-Touch has launched many brands in Southern California’s natural channel grocers, such as Whole Foods, Erewhon and Lazy Acres. The company, which will be called Hi-Touch Libations going forward, will fill a route-to-market gap for emerging brands. “We have big […]
Posted inMerchandising News, National, Nonfood Items
Receipt Analysis Shows Consumer Shopping Patterns
Veryfi, using artificial intelligence technology to transform documents into structured data, analyzed the purchase receipts of Kraft Heinz and Hormel Foods goods to discern consumer shopping patterns. This latest installment of Veryfi Insights analyzes supermarket shopper receipt data to examine the frequency of line items in all receipts containing at least one item in a long list […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, Sustainability News
Conagra Brands Recognizes Facilities For Zero Waste
Chicago-based Conagra Brands is honoring its employees who are keeping materials out of landfills through recycling and waste reduction measures. Seventeen Conagra facilities have been awarded “Zero Waste Champion” status for diverting more than 90 percent of waste materials that would have otherwise been sent to landfills. In fiscal year 2022, the 17 facilities diverted more than […]
Posted inCenter Store, Southeast
Tony Chachere’s Shares Deep-Fried Turkey Recipe
Opelousas, Louisiana-based Tony Chachere’s has released a deep-fried turkey recipe featuring the company’s Butter Marinade. Tony’s is promoting its marinades and seasonings as a Thanksgiving “favorite” this year. Its butter marinade can be injected into the turkey and its seasoning spread around the outside. Tony’s Deep-Fried Turkey Ingredients: three-five gallons of peanut oil (or any oil of your […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Del Monte Appoints Beliveau As Chief Human Resources Officer
Walnut Creek, California-based Del Monte Foods has appointed Matt Beliveau as chief human resources officer. Beliveau reports to Greg Longstreet, president and CEO, and is responsible for human resources, corporate communications and environmental, social and governance for the company. He brings to Del Monte Foods more than 20 years of human resource leadership experience at public and private companies […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Nonfood Items, Southwest
H-E-B Celebrates Brand Shop Opening With Themed Merchandise
To commemorate its 117th anniversary, H-E-B has launched an H-E-B branded shop in Kerrville, Texas. The retailers has plans to expand to more stores in early 2023. Customers can purchase H-E-B-themed merchandise from T-shirts, socks and baby clothes to hats, coffee mugs, shoes and stickers. In next year’s rollout, the retailer plans to include stores […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IRI Shares Upcoming Holiday Report Discussing Inflation, Sales
IRI has updated its Thanksgiving Tracker, showing the latest year-over-year inflation figures by category and examining the historical sales by category in the runup to the holiday. This year, consumers are concerned about inflation, but not worried about shopping earlier to spread out the expense. Thanksgiving is the second-largest holiday in terms of sales uplift […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast
Hannaford’s Reusable Bag Campaign Exceeds $2M In Donations
Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets has announced that one of its charitable campaigns, the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, has generated more than $2 million in donations to community organizations throughout New England and New York. The Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program invites shoppers to purchase special Fight Hunger and Community reusable shopping bags at store registers. For each bag […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets Lauches Inflation Buster Thanksgiving Feast
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has announced its Inflation Buster Thanksgiving Feast – a shopping guide for a full Thanksgiving dinner, including turkey and all the fixings for six people, for less than $30. Customers who use a Weis Preferred Shoppers Club Cards are eligible for these deals. The feast costs $28.77 and includes: A 14-pound Weis […]
Posted inC-Store News, Southeast
Enmarket Exceeds $1M In Fundraising Over Past Decade
Savannah, Georgia-based Enmarket recently marked a decade of working with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light The Night” campaign by announcing it has raised $1 million over a 10-year period. In its latest form, Enmarket launched a company-wide initiative in September across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina by encouraging its customers to donate at […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Northeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club Shares Store Opening Date In Wayne, NJ
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open a new store Nov. 18 at 300 Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey. With this addition, the retailer will have 234 U.S. clubs. The club will have a BJ’s Gas location on-site and offer members opportunities to earn extra savings through BJ’s Fuel Saver Program. The Wayne BJ’s Gas station, located off of Route […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
Construction Begins On H-E-B Store In Fort Worth, TX
H-E-B has begun construction on a store in north Tarrant County. Set to open in late spring 2024, the new store will be located at 3451 Heritage Trace Parkway on the northern edge of Fort Worth. What will be known as H-E-B Alliance will join two Central Market locations, which have served Tarrant Co. for […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Donates Meals Through Simply Give Thanksgiving Program
From Nov. 20-26, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer will donate one meal to Simply Give food pantries for every purchase that includes a food item from select Meijer brands. “We’ve been a part of our customers’ Thanksgiving meal traditions since we first opened our doors in 1934, which is very meaningful to us,” said Rick Keyes, president and CEO. “Our […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Launches In-Store Fundraiser, Food Drive
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is running an in-store holiday fundraiser for its food bank partners through Dec. 31. This campaign is in addition to the company’s ongoing Bring Your Own Bag program, which donates five cents per shopping trip to local food bank partners when customers bring in reusable bags. Customers can contribute throughout the holidays in two […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Grocery Store Layout, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Celebrates Store Grand Opening In Lutz, FL
Publix Super Markets opened a new store Nov. 17 at Livingston Marketplace in Lutz, Florida. The 46,791-square-foot store has departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce, as well as a bakery, deli and pharmacy. The store features café seating and also has an adjacent Publix Liquors. “We are excited to bring […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, West
Albertsons Cos. Issues Statement On Delay Of Dividend Payment
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. has announced that the Washington State Court has postponed the date of the hearing regarding the temporary restraining order granted to Washington until Dec. 9. As a result of this postponement, the temporary restraining order granted by Washington on Nov. 3 remains in effect and restrains the company from paying the previously […]