In response to the announcement made Oct. 14 of a merger between national grocery chains, Kroger and Albertsons, the National Grocers Association released the following statement: “A merger of the nation’s top two grocery chains should raise serious questions about a single supermarket giant gaining unprecedented dominance over the nation’s food supply chain,” said Greg […]
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 inProduce News, Southeast
Watermelon Board Capitalizes On Emerging Digital Tactics
Winter Springs, Florida-based National Watermelon Promotion Board has added new online marketing trends into the Consumer Communications program. Recognizing that not all consumers need their content delivered in the same way, NWPB leveraged assets and educational resources by diversifying platforms and implementing emerging marketing trends with dynamic digital approaches. “The Watermelon Board has been able to […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Purina Celebrates Factory Expansion In Clinton, IA
Purina executives and community representatives gathered Oct. 5 to celebrate the completion of a $156 million expansion at the factory in Clinton, Iowa. The project expands capacity and production capabilities for Purina’s pet care brands and adds a technical training center. The expansion resulted in 96 new positions at the factory, which now employs about 570 people. The pet […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Names Horvath As Chief Supply Chain Transformation Officer
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods has named Erin Horvath as chief supply chain transformation officer, a new role that will help build its transformation agenda and future capabilities, drive value creation for shareholders and create an improving experience for customers and suppliers. Horvath assumes the role on Oct. 17 and will report to Sandy Douglas, […]
Posted inCenter Store, Association News, National
IHA Names Three Executives To Board Of Directors
Three executives have been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association, the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. The incoming IHA board members are Scott Felsenthal, CEO, Whitmor; Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares; and Michael Hayes, chief customer officer, Newell Brands. Their three-year terms began Oct. 1 and end Sept. […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Corporate Store News, National, The Kroger Co.
Kroger, Albertsons To Merge In $24.6B Agreement
Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies have announced a merger agreement between the two organizations. Through its supermarket banners, this combination will expand customer reach and improve proximity to deliver food to about 85 million households. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been approved by the board of directors of each company, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IRI States Price Inflation Slowed For First Time In 2022
IRI has released a new report, “September 2022 Price Check: Tracking Retail Food and Beverage Inflation,” with insights regarding food inflation and its impact on consumer shopping behavior. The report leverages point-of-sale data for September and includes data across U.S. food channels, including grocery, drug, mass market, military commissaries, select club and dollar stores as well […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets Begins Register Campaign To Support Veterans
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has launched a six-week campaign in support of Paralyzed Veterans of America, a nonprofit supporting veterans with spinal cord injuries, disorders and diseases like MS and ALS. In stores, Weis Markets and its employees are encouraging customers to make small donations at checkout by rounding up their orders to the next dollar or purchasing […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Celebrates Non-GMO Month
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is inviting customers to celebrate Non-GMO Month throughout October with super savings, door buster deals and free samples. Customers can save up to 60 percent off prices on select products in every department through Oct. 29. Throughout the month, the company will offer education about GMOs and why it’s important to choose […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Receives EPA GreenChill Recognition
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with recognition from the GreenChill Program. The Superior Goal Achievement honor is the result of Food Lion’s continued work to reduce the environmental impacts of commercial refrigeration systems across the retailer’s more than 1,100 stores. Food Lion has taken many steps to […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Piggly Wiggly To Pilot The Focal Operating System In Stores
Focal Systems, the industry leader in retail automation, has partnered with Piggly Wiggly Midwest stores to pilot its Focal Operating System in its Wisconsin and Illinois stores. FocalOS digitizes the entire store in order to automate and optimize ordering, inventory management, merchandising and in-store labor with the objective to deliver a better experience to customers. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
CBA Reports Increased Wholesale Prices Due To New Burdens
The Consumer Brands Association has cautioned that high wholesale prices in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ readout continue to pose cost pressures for the manufacturers of consumer packaged goods. The September Producer Price Index rose 8.5 percent over last year and 0.4 percent over last month, doubling economists’ expectations with the largest month-to-month increase since May. For […]
Posted inExecutive News, Bashas', Corporate Store News, West
Bashas’ Promotes Mayer To Chief Operations Officer
Chandler, Arizona-based Bashas’ Family of Stores has promoted Steve Mayer to COO for its more than 110 grocery stores across Arizona and in New Mexico. A member of the the company’s executive committee, Mayer will also represent Bashas’ on The Raley’s Companies executive leadership team. He will continue to report to Edward “Trey” Basha, president of Bashas’, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Unveils ‘PA Farms To Families’ Immersion Lab
The Giant Company and the PA Friends of Agriculture Foundation unveiled the PA Farms to Families Immersion Lab Oct. 12 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The mobile immersion lab connects families to four Pennsylvania farms and the farm-to-table process, facilitating hands-on learning experiences and food connections. “The PA […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, Southeast
Fresh Express Releases Three Chopped Salad Kits
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express has announced three new offerings in its line of chopped salad kits, Twisted Caesar Lemon Caesar, Twisted Caesar Pesto Caesar and Mexican Style, and its new blend, Butter Supreme. Trends like convenience, plant-based nutrition and restaurant-inspired international flavors are driving food innovations, and chopped salads kits are well positioned to drive growth for […]
Posted inExecutive News, Snacks Brands, West
Blue Diamond’s CEO Jansen Announces Intent To Step Down
Sacramento, California-based Blue Diamond Growers Mark Jansen, president and CEO, has announced his intention to step down from the role he has held since September 2010. Jansen has decided to step away after a 12-year tenure as CEO because he believes the organization is well-positioned for future growth and the timing is right for him to […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Tyson Launches ‘Chicken And A Video Game’ Episode Series
Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods is partnering with Gaming Community Network, combining chicken and gaming to create a four-part episode series. The “Chicken and a Video Game” show features top professional athletes competing in popular video games while eating Tyson chicken dishes. Fans can stream each episode weekly on the interactive streaming platform Twitch. The series is […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Hormel Foods Names Larson As SVP, Human Resources
Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods Co. has promoted Katie Larson as SVP of human resources. Larson assumes responsibility for leading the global human resources function at the company, bringing more than 20 years of experience in human resources leadership at Hormel Foods. Hormel Foods employs more than 20,000 employees around the globe and has been recognized as a […]
Posted inDairy News, National
Land O’Lakes Releases Survey Results For National Farmers Day
For National Farmer’s Day, Arden Hills, Minnesota-based Land O’Lakes is raising awareness of farmers and the role they play in society with the release of the “State of the American Farmer” survey. The survey, commissioned in partnership with Wakefield Research, polled 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults to reveal some major misconceptions about the state of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets’ Program Donates $500K For Local Schools
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has announced its Weis 4 School program has generated $500,000 in donations for schools in its seven-state market area. Participating Weis customers who connected their Preferred Shoppers Club cards to the Pre-K through eighth grade school of their choice earned points on their purchases during the 2021-22 school year. These points resulted […]