Despite a challenging year marked by a persisting pandemic, historic inflation, supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages, the food industry is making investments to meet shoppers’ evolving tastes, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s annual research report, The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2022. The survey finds that food retailers are focusing on investments in new technologies […]
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 inFred Meyer, Corporate Store News, Executive News, West
Gibson To Retire, Kammeyer Named Fred Meyer Division President
Dennis Gibson, president of the Fred Meyer Division, has announced his plans to retire after more than 38 years of service and leadership, effective Oct. 1. Gibson will be succeeded by Todd Kammeyer, current VP of merchandising for Fred Meyer. Gibson and Kammeyer will work together over the coming weeks to transition their duties. Gibson […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Midwest
Produce Alliance Promotes Hulick To VP Of Food Safety
Chicago-based Produce Alliance has promoted its longtime leader of food safety, Barbara Hulick, to VP of food safety. Hulick is a highly acclaimed industry leader in the development and advancement of food safety ideology and practices within the produce industry. She has been a leader at Produce Alliance since joining the company in 2016 and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southwest
North Texas Food Bank Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Event
The North Texas Food Bank will celebrate 40 years of serving the North Texas community with a family-friendly event Sept. 10 at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. The event is free to the public and will feature face painters, balloon artists, a book reading of the NTFB’s children’s book, “Hunger Bugs Me!,” and music from the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Birdzi Creates Personalized Consumer Offers With Visper 2.0
Iselin, New Jersey-based Birdzi is altering grocers’ approach to personalization with the announcement of Visper 2.0. Through this program, grocers can create personalized promotions with no manual input, customizing each element to individual shoppers. Earlier this year, regional grocer Coborn’s trialed Visper 2.0 and saw an increase in loyalty. Customers expect personalization, but according to McKinsey & Company, 23 percent of shoppers believe […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Instacart, Quicklly To Deliver Indian Groceries In 7 Cities
Quicklly and Instacart have announced the companies’ expanded partnership to offer delivery of Quicklly’s Indian pantry staples, desi spices and sauces across seven U.S. cities: New York City; Chicago; Austin, Texas; Fremont, California; Sunnyvale, California; Naperville, Illinois; and Edison, New Jersey. The Instacart app also offers nationwide delivery of Quicklly’s ready-to-eat Indian meals kits in three to four […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
South Dakota Retailers Names Best Bagger In Annual Competition
Elijah Schipper from Fareway Stores in Harrisburg took the top prize Sept. 3 at the annual South Dakota Best Bagger competition hosted by the South Dakota Retailers Association at the state fair. Sponsored by Associated Wholesale Grocers and NW French and Associates, the annual competition featured some of the quickest baggers in the grocery business […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Olli Salumeria Debuts Two Snack Pack Flavors
Oceanside, California-based Olli Salumeria has debuted its Olli Pepperoni Mozzarella Snack Pack, the latest offering in its line of high-protein grab-and-go mini meals. The snack pack, combining sliced Olli Pepperoni and Mozzarella cheese with La Panzanella crackers, joins four other Olli Snack Pack salami/cheese pairings including Genoa/Fontina, Sopressata/Cheddar, Calabrese/Asiago and Prosciutto/Mozzarella. Launched in 2018, Olli Snack Packs leverage the charcuterie […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Begins Campaign For American Red Cross
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers is launching a community donation program benefiting the American Red Cross to raise funds in preparation of peak hurricane season. Customers can help the nonprofit by donating $1, $5 or by rounding up their grocery bill through Sept. 27. According to the National Hurricane Center, August through October is considered the most […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Walmart Acquires Stake In Sustainable Beef’s Facility
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Sustainable Beef, a rancher-owned company based in North Platte, Nebraska. The grocer’s equity investment is part of a broader partnership to source top-quality angus beef from Sustainable Beef’s new beef processing facility. This partnership will help supplement the current beef industry and will provide […]
Posted inBeverage News, Northeast
Spindrift Launches Seasonal Flavor: Spiced Apple Cider
Newton, Massachusetts-based Spindrift is launching the brand’s first seasonal release, Spiced Apple Cider. “Fall is an ideal season for Spindrift. It’s when the air is crisp, food turns heartier and when many people return to where they feel the most at home to spend time with loved ones. Spiced Apple Cider pairs perfectly with fall […]
Posted inBeverage News, Southeast
Greene Concepts Expands BeWater Distribution In Southeast
Marion, North Carolina-based Greene Concepts has announced its Florida distributor, H2O Artesian, has finalized an agreement with a major retailer that has more than 200 grocery stores in the Southeast U.S. With this release, more people will be able to buy Be Water, Greene Concepts’ bottled artesian spring water. Brian Adkins and Mike McMurray, H20 […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Celebrates Hunger Action Month In September
Throughout September, Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based The Giant Company will donate funds and product, volunteer and raise awareness to help eliminate hunger in honor of Hunger Action Month. Established in 2008, Hunger Action Month is the Feeding America nationwide network for food banks’ awareness campaign. “As a grocer, we have the responsibility to feed all people in our local communities […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Natural Delights Prepares For Medjool Date Harvest
Yuma, Arizona-based Bard Valley Natural Delights has announced it is primed for a successful harvest season this year. To support the brand’s growth, the company has also expanded internally with strategic additions to its sales and marketing staff. Natural Delights expects the Medjool date supply from this year’s harvest to meet the year-round business needs, including the […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Kapi Kapi Growers Builds On Logistics Team With New Hires
Miami, Florida-based Kapi Kapi Growers, a producer of pineapples and bananas, has hired Latishia Bryant and Sharonda Masters. With nearly 14 years of experience in fresh produce transportation logistics, Bryant joined Kapi Kapi as logistics manager with a focus on program execution and relationship building for the company. Bryant brings knowledge in supply chain management and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Tops Offers Double Give Back Days In September
Williamsville, New York-based Tops Friendly Markets announced that in September, it is offering schools the chance to earn double the rewards as part of its Tops in Education Program. Participants enrolled in the program will be able to earn up to 10 percent for schools. Through Sept. 30, customers must purchase participating products such as Tops Brand, […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
SweeTango Apple Crop To Begin Shipping After Labor Day
Swedesboro, New Jersey-based SweeTango apple growers and packers are urging retailers to place orders to take advantage of the brand’s marketing plans. Fruit will start shipping after Labor Day, the SweeTango sales desks report. “I don’t remember ever having as nice a crop hanging on the trees as we’ve got this year, both volume and quality,” […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast
Weis Markets Completes Store Remodel In Millersburg, PA
Weis Markets has completed the remodel of its store in Millersburg, Pennsylvania. This is the second remodel to the store in two years, following the addition of a beer-wine café in 2020. “Upgrades to Weis’ Millersburg store will improve the shopping experience for our loyal customers in the area,” said Ron Bonacci, VP of advertising and […]
Posted inC-Store News, Midwest
Casey’s Appoints Spanos To Board Of Directors
Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores has appointed Mike Spanos to its board of directors, bringing the number of directors to 12. For more than 28 years, Spanos has led organizations and accelerated growth in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. “We are pleased to welcome Mike to the Casey’s Board of Directors as he adds significant […]
Posted inBakery News, National, Snacks Brands
DecoCookies Looking North Of The Border For Future Growth
Minna Thrall, PR and communications manager of Mexico City, Mexico-based DecoCookies, recently sat down and spoke to The Shelby Report about the company’s future growth plans. DecoCookies was founded “through the wit” of Eliana Campos Berry, a self-taught baker, according to Thrall. “She started baking for her sons because she believed in spreading joy and […]