Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) have announced a 10-year, $34.5 million renewal of the Acres for America conservation program. The new commitment from Walmart, combined with previous contributions, represents the largest corporate donation to NFWF since the foundation’s creation by Congress in 1984. Acres for America began in 2005, when Walmart U.S. […]
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 inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Instacart Introduces SNAP Eligibility Screener To Educate Consumers
Instacart has introduced a new Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) eligibility screener on its EBT SNAP information page. The new tool, powered by Advocatia Solutions Inc., lets customers anonymously check whether they may be eligible for SNAP benefits in less than 60 seconds and find relevant state resources to streamline enrollment. The launch marks the first […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Northeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Increase Membership Fees In 2025
BJ’s Wholesale Club has released its third quarter results and shared several updates, including an increase for membership fees. The membership hike, BJ’s first in seven years, will take effect Jan. 1. The club membership fee will increase by $5 to $60 a year, while the club+ membership fee will rise by $10 to $120 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Circana’s Year-End Outlook Projects Growth For 2025
Circana has released new Circana Compass insights, providing a comprehensive update on the 2024 performance of the global retail food and beverage (F&B) industry and an outlook for 2025. Following Circana’s forecast for 2024 from a year ago and the recent midyear update, the market has mainly trended as predicted. Overall, dollar sales have grown by […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI, i3 International Begin Asset Protection Partnership
FMI – The Food Industry Association and i3 International have combined their respective events for the asset protection community at FMI’s 2025 Asset Protection and Grocery Resilience Conference in St. Louis. This partnership marks the combining of two prominent events into a single, comprehensive conference under the FMI brand with combined professional impact. “Joining our event, Innovision, with FMI’s […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Names 2024 Legacy Awards Recipients
Meijer has named the recipients of its 2024 Legacy Awards, the highest recognition a Meijer team member can receive. The Legacy Awards are comprised of the Fred Meijer Award and the Earl Holton President’s Award. The Fred Meijer Award is given to one team member annually who demonstrates his values of humility, generosity and passion for serving others. The Earl Holton President’s Award, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, West
WAFC Elects Super King VP Fermanian To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected Jake Fermanian of Super King Markets to the board of directors at its Nov. 9 meeting in San Diego, California. Fermanian is the VP of Super King Markets, a family-owned and -operated grocery chain with eight locations in Southern California. Having grown up in the family business […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, National, Save A Lot
RFMN Begins Partnership With Save A Lot’s Independent Grocers
Retail Fluent Media Network (RFMN), a retail media and ad tech company, has begun a partnership with Save A Lot’s independent retail partners, including its 750 independently-owned and -operated stores across 32 states in the U.S. Through this partnership, Save A Lot’s independent retail partners will have the opportunity to utilize Digital Window Signs to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Minnesota Grocers Recognized For Promoting Locally Grown Products
Eight Minnesota retailers who demonstrate excellence in locally grown and produced products have been named a 2025 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). Along with awards given by region, a new beer, wine and spirits award was presented […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Awards $1.4M In Grants For 2024
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in grants for 2024. During its current fall/winter grant cycle, the foundation will distribute $750,000 in grants to more than 250 nonprofits across Food Lion’s 10-state footprint. Additionally, the foundation provided more than $675,000 to more than 250 organizations during its spring/summer grant cycle earlier […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
The Kroger Co., RFK Racing Partner On 2025 NASCAR Season
Beginning with the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series racing season, Kroger will move its primary sponsorship to Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing. In addition, RFK Racing will begin fielding a third Ford Mustang in 2025, with Ryan Preece joining the team to drive the No. 60 Kroger. Nearly 20 brands will appear across the RFK Racing […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Expands EVgo Partnership To Install 480 Charging Stations
Meijer has expanded its partnership with EVgo Inc. to set up as many as 480 new public fast-charging stalls for electric vehicles at Meijer properties across Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. To date, EVgo has opened 24 of the stalls at six Meijer stores in Michigan and Ohio. As part of the expanded […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Grocery TV Expands Retail Media Network With Redner’s Markets
Grocery TV has begun a new partnership with Redner’s Markets, an employee-owned regional grocery chain with 44 stores across eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. Redner’s will use Grocery TV’s in-house technology stack to power screens at the entrance and front end, creating a customer experience across key touchpoints in its stores. Through Grocery TV’s content management system (CMS), […]
Posted inCenter Store, Northeast
Shareholders Approve The Campbell’s Co. Name Change
On Nov. 19, shareholders of the Campbell Soup Company approved the change of its official name to The Campbell’s Company. The change reflects the company’s broad portfolio of leadership brands, from Campbell’s soup to Goldfish crackers and Rao’s pasta sauce. The new name will take effect after an amendment to the company’s certificate of incorporation […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Plans Grand Opening In Clovis, CA
Vallarta Supermarkets will hold a grand opening Nov. 20 for its new location at 170 W. Shaw Ave. in Clovis, California. The recently completed store has taken over a 51,204-square-foot space, bringing 218 new jobs to the city. It is one of the largest locations Vallarta has in California. The new store will feature many departments, including: Guacamole […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Survey Highlights Holiday Grocery Shopping Habits
In preparation for Thanksgiving, The Kroger Co. surveyed customers about their grocery shopping habits and what they plan to eat during the holiday this year. According to 84.51º, Kroger’s retail and data science, insights and media arm, nearly 90 percent of surveyed households plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year – and insights show customers’ tastes […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Sprouts Farmers Market Expands Store Presence Across U.S.
Sprouts Farmers Market will hold two store openings in November and December, building upon its reputation as “one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country.” The stores are in addition to those the retailer opened in the previous months, including locations in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Hayward, California; Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Greenville, South Carolina; Long Beach, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Mollie Stone’s Markets Kicks Off Fundraiser To Fight Hunger
Mollie Stone’s Markets has begun its annual Grab & Give food drive, a community initiative in partnership with San Francisco-Marin Food Bank aimed at fighting hunger in the San Francisco Bay Area. Customers at all Mollie Stone’s locations can participate through Dec. 31 by buying pre-packed bags of groceries or making direct donations. Each Grab & […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, Northeast
Stew Leonard’s Joins Uber Eats For Grocery Delivery
Uber Eats has begun a partnership with Stew Leonard’s, a family-owned and -operated farm fresh food store in the Northeast, for grocery delivery. All of Stew Leonard’s Connecticut, New Jersey and New York locations are available to shop on the Uber Eats and Uber apps, giving consumers near-instant access to the brand’s exclusive items. Uber One […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest
Prairie Farms, Hiland Dairy Receive Multiple Plant, Product Excellence Awards
Prairie Farms Dairy and its joint venture partner, Hiland Dairy, won 33 awards at the annual QCS Purchasing Cooperative Conference held Oct. 20-22 in Denver, Colorado. The conference gathers leaders from food and beverage companies across the country for recognition of plant and product excellence achievements. Judging for the competition was conducted by independent food […]