To document the ever-changing nature of the marketplace, IRI, 210 Analytics and AFFI have partnered to bring the latest trends and analysis relative to the frozen food department. Frozen food prices rose in 2020 and 2021, but less so than total food and beverages. In April 2022, the price per unit for frozen foods increased […]
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, Executive News, Southeast
Green Life Farms Hires Grandmaison As General Manager
Lake Worth, Florida-based Green Life Farms has hired Donald Grandmaison as general manager of its Babcock Ranch facility. Grandmaison brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. Most recently, he served as sales and marketing manager for BrightFarms/Lef Farms Corp. Grandmaison joins Green Life Farms’ team with experience growing sales revenue, developing methods […]
Posted inH-E-B, Online Grocery Technology, Southwest
Looma Launches Video-Storytelling Platform Loop At H-E-B Stores In TX
Looma has introduced its in-store video storytelling program, Loop, to the Texas grocery landscape with the recent launch of beer and wine programs in 120 H-E-B stores statewide. Loop shares a blend of personal stories and educational information through a network of smart tablets in beer and wine departments with the goal of informing purchasing decisions and connecting […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Launches General Merchandise, Health and Beauty Care Initiative
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced a new general merchandise, health and beauty care initiative that extends its total store collaboration concept in grocery. This new portfolio will be led by consumer goods and retail industry veteran Tom Duffy and embraces a community of professionals from grocery retailers to suppliers for high-impact industry dialog […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southwest, Supply Chain News
Sysco, Daimler Truck Partner To Deploy Electric Tractors
Houston, Texas-based Sysco Corporation and Daimler Truck North America have jointly announced a letter of intent to deploy nearly 800 battery electric Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 tractors serving Sysco customers by 2026. The first eCascadia delivery is expected to arrive at Sysco’s Riverside, California site later this year. “Sysco is committed to making meaningful investments to support achievement of […]
Posted inDairy News, Northeast
UNFI Expands American Artisans Cheese And Specialty Program
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has doubled the size of its American Artisan Cheese and Specialty Program. Launched in 2020 to give customers access to unique craft cheeses sourced from all over the nation, UNFI reports the program has been so successful that it has expanded it to a second warehouse to serve customers. UNFI […]
Posted inMeijer, Midwest, Produce News
Meijer Expands Fresh Produce Offerings With Revolution Farms
Revolution Farms, an innovator of sustainable farming in the Midwest, is partnering with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer Meijer to bring local lettuce and salad greens to consumers year-round, across the retailer’s six-state footprint. Products include cut, whole leaf and whole head lettuce varieties, as well as the cut lettuce for all of the retailer’s fresh, […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest
Dairy Farmers Of Wisconsin To Celebrate National Diary Month In June
The Dairy Farms of Wisconsin are planning to celebrate National Dairy Month in June by exploring ways its farm families make their products every day. Wisconsin is a supplier of more than half the country’s specialty cheese. Dairy products are a natural source of immune-boosting nutrients, like vitamin A, vitamin D and protein that bodies […]
Posted inMarketing News, Bashas', West
Bashas’ Stores To Hold Pop-Up Hiring Event May 21
Bashas’ Family of Stores is holding pop-up hiring events May 21 at all of its grocery stores in Arizona and New Mexico, in addition to its distribution center in Chandler. On this day, each location will have a welcome table with signage and a table for on-the-spot interviews so that managers can hire job applicants immediately. […]
Posted inDairy News, Northeast
Ben And Jerry’s Lauches Cherry Crumble Ice Cream Pint
Burlington, Vermont-based Ben and Jerry’s has released a new flavor of ice cream, Cherry Crumble, featuring cherries and oat crumbles. The company anticipates that this new flavor may provide competition for its No. 1 top-selling ice cream flavor, Cherry Garcia. This limited batch ice cream has a butter ice cream base and has fruit flavor […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Walmart To Host A Weekend Savings Event For Walmart+ Members
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has announced the Walmart+ Weekend, an online savings event exclusively for Walmart+ members that stretches over three days online from June 2-5. Walmart+ members will have access to large discounts on thousands of summer items, from a Shark vacuum, a Minnie Mouse playhouse to a Samsung Galaxy S7. Members will also have […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Kari-Out To Showcase Takeout Packaging Products At Upcoming Show
Kari-Out will showcase its line of foodservice take-out packaging products May 21-24 during the National Restaurant Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Attendees are invited to visit the industry supplier at Kari-Out Booth No. 4082 on the trade show floor. “Kari-Out is a pioneer in the takeout foodservice industry and has paved the way for the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
IRI Report Shows Strong Easter Meat Sales
To document the changing nature of the marketplace, IRI, 210 Analytics and Marriner Marketing have teamed up to continue to bring the latest trends and analysis relative to meat department sales, including fresh and processed items. Easter is typically a big selling season for meat and was the most disrupted of the major holidays in 2020, […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Groceries On The Go To Save Mart Customers, Anywhere, At Any Time
The Save Mart Companies offer an on-demand grocery delivery service to customers in partnership with robot delivery company Starship Technologies. The Save Mart Cos. was the first grocer in the U.S. to work with Starship Technologies, according to a previous article of The Shelby Report. The debut of the advanced contactless delivery service embraced the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Calls On FDA To Assure Abbott Nutrition Follows Safety Regulations
FMI – The Food Industry Association has welcomed the Biden administration’s announcement that an agreement has been reached with Abbott Nutrition to reopen its infant formula production facility in Sturgis, Michigan, following more than two months of suspended production and product recall. However, FMI insists that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should also assure the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Marketing News, Southeast
Midan Marketing Donates Cooked Meals To Ronald McDonald Charities
To provide support for families with children in the hospital, Midan Marketing employees cooked and served meals to residents of Charlotte, North Carolina’s Ronald McDonald House Charities, featuring product donated by Midan clients. From April 11-15, the company’s team members cooked about 150 dinners at the Charlotte Ronald McDonald House. Each meal featured an entrée […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Named To America’s Best Retailers List By Newsweek
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 America’s Best Retailers list, ranked No. 2 in the supermarkets category. “We pride ourselves on providing our customers with a pleasurable shopping experience — from knowledgeable, friendly associates and quality products to a convenient and clean shopping environment,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of communications. “Being […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Tops, National Compassion Fund Partner For Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund
In partnership with Tops, the National Compassion Fund has established the Buffalo, New York 5/14 Survivors Fund to provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased. Tops has seeded it with $500,000. On May 14, 2022, the Buffalo community suffered when a gunman opened fire at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Farmer Focus Celebrates Plant Safety Milestone, New Executive Hire
Harrisonburg, Virginia-based Farmer Focus has announced a safety and operational milestone in its plant: five million hours without an OSHA-lost workday injury. In addition to this accomplishment, Farmer Focus achieved a total recordable injury rate of .80, well below the industry standard of 3.5. Furthermore, Farmer Focus’ commitment to employee safety early in the pandemic […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, National
BMC Reports Increased Consumer Demand For Bottled Water
Bottled water made history in 2021 by becoming the largest beverage category (by volume), according to new data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC). Bottled water’s total volume in 2021, 15.7 billion gallons, surpassed carbonated soft drinks’ all-time peak of 15.3 billion gallons, which was reached in 2004. Bottled water outsold soft drinks for the first […]