Bakersfield, California-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet is unveiling its 3-pound and 5-pound conventional and organic mesh sweet potato bags at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show. The new design includes a variety of visuals and tools for consumers, including: Sweet potato variety-specific information with photos and an explanation of the outside and inside color; QR […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Wakefern Food Corp. Announces $18.6B In Sales
Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. Chairman and CEO Joseph S. Colalillo addressed shareholders, store management and staff during the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting held Oct. 20. The company reported record retail sales of $18.6 billion for the 52-week fiscal year ending Oct. 1, a 4.69 percent increase from the prior year. Wakefern opened three new ShopRite […]
Posted inAsk The Experts, Association News
Ask the Experts at NGA
Greg Ferrara, president and CEO, National Grocers Association Based in Washington, D.C., NGA is the national trade association that is the voice of the retail and wholesale companies that comprise the independent sector of the supermarket industry, as well as those companies that provide products and services to the industry. In his role as president […]
Posted inCenter Store, Northeast
Oil Markets 101: How To Keep Your Private Label Oils Competitive
Sponsored Content Your private label oils are in constant competition with national brands. Your key to keeping them in the fight is understanding how oil markets work. Market analysis might not be the most exciting thing out there, but a solid basic understanding – and a supply partner that can help with the finer details […]
Posted inH-E-B, Grocery Store Layout, Independent Store News, Southwest
H-E-B Announces Plans To Open Store In Fort Worth, TX
Continuing its expansion in the DFW Metroplex, H-E-B has announced plans to open an H-E-B Alliance at the corner of Heritage Trace Parkway and N. Riverside Drive. The store, which is on the northern edge of Fort Worth, builds on the company’s presence in the area to serve more customers. This location joins two Central […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast, Sustainability News
SEG Launches Delivery Service In Winn-Dixie, Harveys Locations
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers is offering a new online shopping and delivery service to customers in more than 375 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. SEG’s service allows Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket customers to shop for groceries online while still receiving the deals and promotions offered in stores. Customers can […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Concludes Executive Conference, Public Policy Summit
More than 200 independent grocery executives came away from the National Grocers Association’s three-day Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit with new insights and understanding about the economic and political impacts on the current business market. The summit, designed to provide leaders of the independent grocery industry with insights and information to serve their communities, […]
Posted inNorthgate Market, Produce News, West
Northgate Gonzalez Market Offers Produce To Underserved People
Anaheim, California-based Northgate González Market recently wrapped up its ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Program. The program provides community members participating in the CalFresh program up to $100 a month in nutrition incentives when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, with their CalFresh benefits, at any Northgate González Market across Southern California. The ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Oscar Mayer Encourages ‘No Meat’ On World Vegan Day, Nov. 1
Chicago-based Kraft Heinz and its brand, Oscar Mayer, is calling on consumers to abstain from bacon consumption of any kind on World Vegan Day, Nov. 1. According to a recent survey, more than half of vegans have abandoned their diet for bacon, making it the ultimate “gateway meat.” With 63 percent of vegans wishing they could […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Acquires Seven Stores In Louisiana, Mississippi
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores has entered into an agreement to acquire The Markets, an independent grocery retailer with seven locations across central Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi. The locations are in Ball, Ferriday and Vidalia, Louisiana, as well as three locations in Natchez, Mississippi, and a location in McComb, Mississippi. Last week, Barry Loy, president […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Names Balian As Chief Brands Officer
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has named Angie Balian as chief brands officer. She will oversee the company’s private-label and owned brands division, a component of UNFI’s work to provide independent grocery retailers with choice and value that help them differentiate within their communities. Balian joined UNFI in July as chief of staff to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets Begins ‘Weis 4 School’ Donation Program
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has begun its third annual “Weis 4 School” program, which is expected to generate $500,000 in donations for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade schools in its seven-state market area. “Our Weis 4 School program offers families a convenient way to support their local schools. More than 800 schools participated in last year’s program, […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Association News, National
NGA’s Pinnacle PAC Award Presented To Harps’ Owners
The National Grocers Association has honored Karen and Kim Eskew of Harps Food Stores with NGA’s Thomas F. Wenning Pinnacle PAC Award. The award, presented Oct. 26 during NGA’s Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, recognizes the Eskews’ years of service to the independent grocery industry in government advocacy. “Karen and Kim are longtime supporters […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southeast
Rouses Markets, Kellogg’s Co. Partner To Fund School Sports
Schriever, Louisiana-based Rouses Markets has teamed up with Kellogg’s Co. to give kids access to sporting activities. On Oct. 21, representatives from both companies – as well as Tony the Tiger! – presented a donation of $11,000 via education nonprofit DonorsChoose to help fund middle school sports in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi through Kellogg’s Frosted […]
Posted inCenter Store, Albertsons, Nonfood Items, West
Albertsons To Provide Pet Pharmacy, Health Care Services
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies is offering money-saving solutions for pet owners. With more than 1,700 pharmacies located nationwide, shoppers can have their pet prescriptions transferred and filled at an Albertsons Cos. pharmacy and pay less than what vet offices might charge. “Nearly 30 percent of pet owners are grappling with the rising costs of pet ownership […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Crest Offers Coupon For Toothpaste In Preparation For Halloween
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Proctor & Gamble and its brand, Crest, are offering up to $3 off toothpaste, including the new Crest Densify lineup. Shoppers can redeem the offer by visiting select national retailer websites through Oct. 30. “With products for every smile, Crest has night-before-Halloween routines covered, so your teeth are protected from all the treats […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Hillshire Farm Enters Metaverse With Virtual Red Barn
Springdale, Arkansas-based Hillshire Farm has entered the metaverse for the first time with its Red Barn, featuring an interactive gaming experience in Decentraland, a 3D virtual world browser-based platform. Visitors of the Hillshire Farm barn will be greeted by a farmer-inspired non-playable character who will share key locations to visit within the game and details about the quest. Users are […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Presents Wiscovitch With Spirit Of America Award
The National Grocers Association presented the Spirit of America Award to Zulema Wiscovitch, co-CEO of Associated Supermarket Group, a company that supplies and provides retail solutions to one of the largest groups of independently owned and operated supermarkets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Wiscovitch received the award Oct. 25 during NGA’s Executive Conference and […]
Posted inPackaging News, Snacks Brands, Southwest
Frito-Lay Begins World Cup Campaign With Digital Fan Experience
As the North American Regional Supporter of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Plano, Texas-based Frito-Lay North America is preparing fans for the FIFA World Cup with everything they need to enhance their at-home viewing experience. “Soccer is the fastest growing sport in North America and, with snacking so intrinsically tied to the at-home viewing experience, now is the […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Apeel Introduces ‘RipeFinder’ Solution To Reduce Food Waste
Santa Barbara, California-based Apeel has announced its plan to introduce innovative new solutions to instantly and non-destructively determine the ripeness of avocados. By coupling advanced imaging technology with machine learning, Apeel has increased visibility into internal quality and ripeness, allowing producers and grocery retailers to make more informed sorting, shipping and merchandising decisions, which has the […]