Island Pacific Seafood Market has forged a partnership with GCash, the Philippines’ leading financial technology app, that will allow shoppers to send money, pay bills and access other financial services from the grocer’s more than 20 stores across California and Nevada. “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to serving the Filipino community,” said Maite Defensor, CEO […]
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 inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Executive News, Midwest
AWG Adds Cosentino To Board Of Directors
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has appointed John Cosentino to fill an open position on its board of directors. Cosentino is an owner and VP of Cosentino Group, serving alongside his brothers and cousins, all of whom learned the trade from their fathers, Dante and Jerry, who founded the company in 1948. He has been […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Rouses Market, Southeast
New Biloxi Store Is Fifth For Rouses Markets In Mississippi
Rouses Markets celebrated the grand opening of its fifth location in Mississippi with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 16 at 2384 Pass Road in Biloxi. The event featured Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fo-Fo” Gilich, local dignitaries and Rouses Markets CEO Donny Rouse, who welcomed the community to the 60,000-square-foot store. The location, Rouses’ 66th overall, expands the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, Southeast
Food City Opens New Store In Ocoee, TN
Food City held a grand opening Oct. 16 for a new 46,000-square-foot store on Whitewater Drive in Ocoee, Tennessee. “We are excited to be joining the Ocoee retail community and look forward to serving the residents of Ocoee and Polk County,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO. The location includes an in-store […]
Posted inC-Store News, Association News, National
NACS Show Shatters Attendance Records In Las Vegas
A record 26,124 attendees experienced four days of education, networking and a look at what’s new and trending in the global convenience and fuel retailing industry during the recent 2024 NACS Show in Las Vegas. The total attendance for the Oct. 7-10 event was 8.5 percent higher than last year’s turnout and 3.8 percent higher […]
Posted inHy-Vee, Executive News, Midwest
Hy-Vee President Tweeten To Retire In Early 2025
Hy-Vee President Donna Tweeten, the first woman in the Iowa-based grocery chain’s history to serve in that role, has announced her retirement, effective Jan. 24. Tweeten, who became president in late 2022, has guided Hy-Vee’s brand and image strategy and helped double its size during her tenure with the company. Under her leadership, Hy-Vee also […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
IFPA CEO Burns Highlights ‘Fight For Fresh’ During Industry Address
Kicking off the annual International Fresh Produce Association State of the Industry keynote with a recap of various advocacy victories in 2024, IFPA CEO Cathy Burns highlighted the impact fresh produce and floral have on people, plates and the planet. “While it’s challenging to maintain connection today, whether watching TV or scrolling social media, the […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Home Page Latest News, National
Nominations Sought For Shelby’s Exceptional Independents Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for Shelby Publishing’s third annual Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations are open to independent retailers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, president of Shelby Publishing. “Independents are a vital part of their communities […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, Walmart
Walmart Expands Pet Care Offerings In Georgia, Arizona
Walmart has announced key expansions to its core pet care offerings, widening access to affordable in-person and virtual veterinary care, prescription delivery, grooming services and food and supplies. The pet category continues to be one of the most dynamic in retail, with a projected annual spending growth of 7 percent by 2030 and household expenses […]
Posted inFood Lion, Produce News, Southeast
Food Lion Provides 10M Meals Through Annual Apple Bag Campaign
Through its annual Food Lion Feeds Gala Apple Bag campaign, Food Lion joined forces with customers to provide more than 10 million meals to help address food insecurity. The foundation will award grants to support local hunger-relief organizations to help ensure access to food, provide nutritional education and job skills training programs across the omnichannel […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
Sprouts Expands Sustainability Partnership With IFCO
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market and Tampa, Florida-based IFCO, a provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh foods, report that they have made significant advancements in their ongoing partnership. The arrangement began in December 2020 with a pilot program at Sprouts that focused on the use of reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh produce items packed […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
Semifinalists Advance In FMI’s Tech Pitch Competition
FMI – The Food Industry Association has named the six semifinalists in the FMItech Pitch Competition, a chance to showcase groundbreaking technology solutions to the food industry at the 2025 FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. Out of 20 submissions, the judges have narrowed the field to six semifinalists. Semifinalists Badge’s no-code mobile wallet platform allows retailers to reach […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, International Foods, Save A Lot, Southwest
Save A Lot, Leevers Supermarkets Introduce Ahorra Mucho Concept Store
Save A Lot has begun a collaboration with Leevers Supermarkets to develop a new grocery format and in-store offerings to better reach Hispanic shoppers throughout the country. The first step in the concept development effort is the introduction of Ahorra Mucho, a discount grocery store and innovation center in Aurora, Colorado, that features Hispanic product […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Predicts 2025 Top 10 Food Trends
Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council has released its 10th annual Top 10 anticipated food trends predictions report. For 2025, Whole Foods Market forecasts a boom in hydrating ready-to-drink beverages, a new wave of aquatic ingredients, added crunch to meals and fusion snack foods with international appeal. The Whole Foods Market Trends Council – a collective […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Southeast
Publix SVP Bornmann Retiring, 2 Officers Promoted
Publix Super Markets SVP of Product Business Development Dave Bornmann will retire after 41 years of service. With his retirement, Publix has promoted two officers, effective Jan. 1. “We are grateful for Dave’s more than four decades of dedicated service to Publix, our associates and the communities we serve,” said CEO Kevin Murphy. “He’s been […]
Posted inMeijer, Harps Food Stores, Health & Wellness, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Prepares For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
As part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26, Meijer pharmacies are preparing for an influx of customers disposing of their unused and expired prescription medications. A national initiative organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Take Back Day aims to prevent drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental poisonings or overdoses. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. Acquires Di Bruno Bros.’ Branded Product Portfolio
Wakefern Food Corp. has acquired the Di Bruno Bros. portfolio of specialty products that is distributed nationally to wholesale and retail customers. A specialty food retailer and supplier of gourmet cheeses and cured meats in the Philadelphia area since 1939, Di Bruno Bros. was also one of the first specialty grocers to begin selling its […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
WP Rawl Moves From Nature’s Greens To WP Rawl Farms
WP Rawl, a grower, processor and shipper of leafy greens, has rebranded its flagship value-added brand from Nature’s Greens to WP Rawl Farms. The transition marks a milestone for the company as it returns to its roots, building on the brand established in 1925 by founders Walter and Ernestine Rawl. The company decided on the change […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
Butterball Launches Cook From Frozen Turkeys
Butterball has introduced its Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey, a new offering for the Thanksgiving holiday. Created with convenience in mind, the new Cook from Frozen turkey requires just two steps: unwrap and roast, with no thawing required. The most popular questions received by the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line are about how and when to thaw […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Expands Footprint With Fresh Encounter Acquisition
SpartanNash has acquired Fresh Encounter Inc., a 49-store supermarket chain serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky that operates under the retail store banners Community Markets, Remke Markets, Chief Markets and Needler’s Fresh Market. Owned by third-generation grocers Michael Needler Jr. and Julie Anderson, Fresh Encounter has been a food distribution customer of SpartanNash for 58 years. […]