Duda Farm Fresh Foods will showcase its Dandy Celery Dippers, now available in bilingual packaging in 8-oz. and 1.25-lb. sizes, at booth No. B2247 during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Oct. 17-19 in Atlanta. Almost a year after announcing the official launch of the celery dippers at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in […]
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 inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, The Kroger Co.
Survey: Most Consumers Will Celebrate Halloween With Chocolate, Candy
U.S. consumers are ready to treat themselves and others as they prepare for the Halloween season. According to a recent survey from the National Confectioners Association, 94 percent will share chocolate and candy with friends and family, with consumer demand fueling retail trends such as “Summerween” and “Aug-tober.” The Halloween season is a key moment […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Partners With Fabric For Automated Delivery
Save A Lot and Fabric have entered into a new partnership to provide fulfillment solutions for on-demand grocery delivery with the opening of a Brooklyn, New York-based micro fulfillment center. This collaboration combines Fabric’s automation with Save A Lot’s grocery essentials to enhance convenience for value-conscious consumers. The rising cost of living has driven more […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Produce News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Promotes ‘Field To Can’ Process During Film Series
Natural Grocers is promoting its new short film, “Field to Can,” within its “Meet Your Farmer” film series in stores and online. “As your neighborhood grocer, we choose to positively impact the way the food in this nation is grown and raised,” said Raquel Isely, VP of marketing at Natural Grocers. “We choose to be responsible […]
Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Midwest, SpartanNash, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Opens Second Pilot Store For New Family Fare Strategy
SpartanNash held a grand reopening Oct. 8 for its Family Fare store in Sparta, Michigan. This redesigned location is the second pilot store in SpartanNash’s effort to deliver on its customer value proposition, providing a shopping experience centered on fresh products, convenience and value. Building on the success and insights gathered from its first pilot […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Southeast
Publix VPs Barber, McGarrity Announce Retirement Plans
Publix Super Markets CEO Kevin Murphy has announced the retirement of two VPs and the promotion of two new officers, effective Jan. 1. Randy Barber, VP of industrial maintenance and industrial operations purchasing, will retire after 46 years of service. Barber began his Publix career in 1978 as a front service clerk in Lakeland, Florida. […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Dairy News, Deli News, National
IDDBA Names New Board Members At Annual Business Meeting
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) recently held its annual business meeting in Rosemont, Illinois. For three days, the IDDBA staff came together with stakeholders that make up the board of directors and committees. “During the meeting, we reviewed our 2023-24 successes and most importantly discussed our long-term plans to serve our members and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Foodtown, Northeast
Allegiance Retail Services Holds Annual Golf Classic For Scholarship Program
Allegiance Retail Services recently held its 12th Annual Golf Classic at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey. Co-op members, staff, vendors and partners gathered to support the Robert Powell Scholarship Program, which awards $5,000 annually to eligible students related to employees. “The turnout was fantastic as usual. The food, the drink, and most […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, The Kroger Co.
Instacart Introduces New Caper Cart Personalized Capabilities
Instacart has launched three new Caper Cart capabilities – gamified quests, location-based coupons and aisle-aware advertising formats. These new offerings build on the AI-powered smart cart’s capabilities to make grocery shopping more personalized through its digital screen, allowing brands and retailers to engage with customers as they shop in-store. These capabilities are rolling out to retailers like Schnucks […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Elects New Members To Board Of Directors
FMI – The Food Industry Association elected new members to its board of directors at its September board meeting. The new directors build on FMI’s commitment to a broad representation of the supplier and retailer/wholesaler communities within the association’s leadership. “The entire food industry – from product suppliers to retailers and wholesalers – takes great […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, National
Fetch Becomes First RMN Partner With Albertsons Media Collective
Madison, Wisconsin-based Fetch has announced its first retail media network (RMN) partnership with Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. The integration extends the reach of the collective, expanding the grocer’s service model offerings to consumer-packaged goods brands looking to drive retailer-specific sales. Fetch will fold into Albertsons Media Collective’s […]
Posted inH-E-B, Online Grocery Technology, Southwest
H-E-B Introduces Digital Tap-To-Pay At All Locations
Over the next few weeks, H-E-B will begin a phased rollout of a digital tap-to-pay service at all of its flagship stores. The offering will allow customers to make purchases using digital tap-to-pay services such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay. H-E-B will launch the service region by region, with it becoming available […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Health & Wellness, Midwest
The Kroger Co. Closes Sale Of Specialty Pharmacy Business To Elevance Health
The Kroger Co. has finalized the sale of its specialty pharmacy business to Elevance Health. The grocer announced the agreement on March 18. In closing the transaction, the retailer and Elevance Health have worked to ensure minimal disruptions for customers and associates. The specialty pharmacy serves patients with chronic illness that requires complex care. Skilled […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Southwest
The United Family Launches Tally Robot Program In Select Stores
The United Family, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertsons Cos., has launched Tally, an autonomous robot that is part of Simbe’s store intelligence platform. This pilot will introduce Tally in select stores to enhance inventory management, improve out-of-stock items and elevate the overall guest shopping experience. The United Family will utilize this technology across its Texas […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, National
Birdzi Enhances Retailer Onboarding Process With Armeta Analytics
Birdzi has announced an integration with data engineering firm Armeta Analytics that streamlines workflows and reduces the technological lift for Birdzi’s retail customers. Armeta will facilitate onboarding through a simplified integration process that makes it easier for Birdzi customers to use the company’s customer engagement tools and personalized marketing solutions, including VISPER Live. “By automating data management […]
Posted inBakery News, National, Snacks Brands
Mondelēz International Invests In UK-Based Urban Legend
Mondelēz International’s corporate venture capital arm, SnackFutures Ventures, has taken a minority stake in Urban Legend, a “better-for-you” fresh doughnut and pastry business based in the UK. Founded in 2021 by scientist and entrepreneur Anthony Fletcher, Urban Legend uses a custom designed and patented air frying technology to reduce sugar, fat and calories by 30-75 […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
North Coast Seafoods Extends Kelp Partnership Through 2026
North Coast Seafoods has renewed its food supplier partnership with Boston Public Schools for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, focusing on their locally-sourced Maine Kelp products. Following a successful pilot program, the renewal of the Maine Kelp Program through 2026 deepens the school district’s commitment to providing thousands of students in kindergarten through 12th grade […]
Posted inBakery News, Midwest
Platinum Equity and Butterfly Acquire Rise Baking Co.
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Rise Baking Co. has been acquired by global investment firms Platinum Equity and Butterfly. Founded in 2013, Rise Baking Co. is a provider of cookies, pies, cakes, icings, muffins and crispy bars in North America to retail bakeries, foodservice operators and distributors. Rise will continue to operate under its current management team, led by CEO Brian […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Survey: Self-Checkout Presents Opportunities For Fresh Produce Sales
As self-checkout continues to shape the retail landscape, a recent consumer survey conducted by Fusion, a business-to-business marketing agency for fresh food, reveals insights into the behavior and preferences of today’s shoppers. With more than three-quarters of surveyed consumers regularly using self-checkout and 90 percent expressing satisfaction with the experience, the findings point to successes, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Lowes Markets, Southwest
Lowe’s Market Mourns Death Of Roger Lowe Sr.
Lowe’s Market has announced the death of Roger Lowe Sr., president and chairman, who died Oct. 3 following a brief illness. Lowe and his father, Bud, opened their first grocery store in Olton, Texas, in 1963; however, the family’s history can be traced to the late 1940s, when his father started selling candy and sundries […]