The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) annually presents awards to those in the industry who demonstrate excellence, have made significant contributions and are highly respected by their peers. The awards were presented on July 28 at the association’s annual conference in Brainerd, Minnesota. Outstanding Grocer Award The 2024 Outstanding Grocer Award was presented to Kris Kowalski Christiansen […]
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 inThe Kroger Co., National, Private Label Brands, Produce News
Kroger’s New ‘Field & Vine’ Fresh Produce Brand Focuses On Local
The Kroger Co. is expanding its Our Brands portfolio with the addition of Field & Vine, a fresh produce line grown by farmers in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. The brand includes blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. “Field & Vine features berries grown in the fields of American farmers that are picked, packed and delivered in stores […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Makes Produce Donation For National Avocado Day
In celebration of National Avocado Day on July 31, The Giant Co. donated 60,000 avocados and joined Philabundance and Avocados From Mexico to host the fourth annual Top Guac Challenge. During this pit-to-pit challenge, graduates of the Philabundance Community Kitchen program pair up with representatives from The Giant Co. to compete for the honor of […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Produce News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Offers ‘Nutrition 4 The Win’ Produce Classes
Natural Grocers has begun a new partnership with the Foundation for Fresh Produce to present “Nutrition 4 the Win” at participating stores from Aug. 19-31. Families are invited to join and explore how fruits and vegetables can fuel growing bodies and minds. The Foundation for Fresh Produce is a nonprofit that promotes healthy eating habits, particularly among […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Markets Building New Store In Highland, CA
Stater Bros. Markets plans to build a new store that will anchor the Greenspot Crossings shopping center at the 210 Freeway and Greenspot Road in Highland, California. TREH Partners broke ground on the shopping center in March. Stater Bros. anticipates construction of the store will begin this fall, with opening set for next summer. The […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Heritage Grocers Group Hosts Backpack Giveaways Across Banner Stores
Back-to-school giveaways will take place at all Heritage Grocers Group banner store locations – Cardenas Markets, El Rancho Supermercado and Tony’s Fresh Market – in August, with all 115 stores each donating 200 backpacks to local area students. “Heritage’s backpack giveaway is designed to help local students start the new school year prepared and ready […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, SpartanNash
1.5K Grocery Leaders Gather At SpartanNash’s Annual Food Solutions Expo
SpartanNash gathered more than 1,500 grocery suppliers and independent grocer customers at its annual two-day Food Solutions Expo July 23-25 at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event featured supplier and customer award ceremonies, retail discussion groups, educational sessions, exhibit booths with special deals and sampling and live auctions. SpartanNash’s Food Solutions […]
Posted inNorthgate Market, Independent Store News, West
Northgate González Market Breaks Ground In Lynwood, CA
Northgate González Market executives were joined by local community leaders as they broke ground on the site for a new store July 30 in Lynwood, California, a food desert in Los Angeles County. This store has been years in the making, as the location had to undergo extensive soil clean-up, remediation and numerous regulatory reviews […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, West
Instacart Expands Albertsons Partnership, Adds Haggen Banner
Albertsons Cos. has launched Instacart pickup services and Albertsons Rapid convenience delivery at its banners, including Safeway, Albertsons, Shaw’s, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Randalls and Vons. Additionally, Haggen Food & Pharmacy has been added on the Instacart App for same-day delivery. Albertsons Cos. first partnered with Instacart in 2017 and has continued to expand its partnership to […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southeast
ARG Welcomes Brown, Weisgram To Board Of Directors
Hendersonville, Tennessee-based Alliance Retail Group (ARG) has appointed Courtney Brown and Jenn Weisgram to its board of directors, effective immediately, replacing Ward Ragland and Joey Hays, founding members who are retiring after more than 20 years of service. “The Alliance Companies thank Ward and Joey for their invaluable knowledge and guidance over the years,” the company […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Instacart Expands Advertising Options To Boost Brand Discovery
Instacart is introducing new advertising tools designed to help brands connect with consumers to boost product discovery. These tools expand Instacart’s on-platform advertising capabilities beyond traditional in-aisle placements. In a grocery store, consumers might find crackers next to the cheese counter, or salsa next to tortilla chips. Instacart’s new tools pair that same ease and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, UNFI, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Report: Consumers Use App Coupons More Than Paper Circular
According to a new survey from United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) and Swiftly, 43 percent of grocery shoppers use digital coupons in-store via a smartphone app versus 23 percent who clip paper coupons. What’s more, nearly half of Americans (45 percent) report they rely on deals and promotions as part of their everyday grocery shopping […]
Posted inCoborn's, Independent Store News, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Coborn’s Grocery, Liquor Stores Introduce New Website, App
Coborn’s grocery and liquor stores have introduced an improved website and mobile app, powered by Instacart. The new platforms deliver an updated and modernized e-commerce experience to meet and exceed guests’ online shopping expectations at a time when online grocery shopping continues to grow in popularity. The new platforms feature advanced search capabilities and improved […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, Schnucks
Schnucks Markets Launches Instacart’s ESL Software Chainwide
Schnucks Markets has partnered with Instacart for the chainwide rollout of Carrot Tags’ pick-to-light functionality. Carrot Tags are Instacart’s software solution that integrates into a retailer’s electronic shelf labels (ESL) hardware to enable incremental functionality, including pick-to-light capabilities. Schnucks will be using this functionality across most of its stores, allowing Instacart shoppers to activate items […]
Posted inProduce News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Bakery News, Center Store, Midwest
AWG’s Best Choice Introduces New Look For Fresh Perimeter Products
Best Choice, the flagship of AWG’s private brands portfolio, is enhancing its presence in fresh perimeter departments – including bakery, produce, meat and seafood – with a new look and product innovations. “We want to develop products that people are proud to put in their carts and that help AWG member retailers differentiate themselves from […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, SpartanNash, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Appoints Flur As Independent Board Director
Dorlisa Flur has joined SpartanNash’s board of directors as an independent director. Flur brings extensive experience in grocery distribution, retail, warehousing and logistics for multi-billion-dollar enterprises operating in public, private and private equity environments. Flur has served as an independent strategic advisor to the leadership of Southeastern Grocers Inc., the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket, since 2018. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, CERTCO Inc., Executive News, Midwest
Certco Leadership Transitioning As Ryman’s Retirement Nears
Madison, Wisconsin-based Certco Inc. is continuing to evolve its leadership structure and board of directors in anticipation of EVP David Ryman’s retirement in September. Since his retirement announcement last fall, the company has implemented several strategic changes. Paul Frey, promoted to VP of sales and business development in October, assumed responsibility for the sales team. […]
Posted inC-Store News, National
Casey’s To Expand Footprint With Acquisition Of CEFCO Convenience Stores
Casey’s General Stores is set to significantly expand its reach with the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale Inc., the parent company of CEFCO Convenience Stores. The all-cash deal, valued at $1.145 billion, will bring nearly 200 additional stores under the Casey’s umbrella. Fikes Wholesale Inc. and CEFCO Convenience Stores began as a single “filling station” in […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Beverage News, Southeast
A-GAME Beverages Adds Klug, Herran To Board Of Directors
Orlando-based A-GAME Beverages Inc. has added Sue Klug and Pedro Herran to its board of directors, bringing years of experience and expertise in the food and beverage industry. A-GAME is a beverage designed to help the body refuel, rehydrate and recover after a workout. It is made with eight essential vitamins, sea salt for natural […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, Northeast
Northeast Grocery Inc. Partners With Inmar Intelligence For Retail Media Network
Inmar Intelligence is expanding its partnership with Northeast Grocery Inc., the parent company of Tops Friendly Markets and Price Chopper/Market 32, to include retail media. Together, the companies will launch Northeast Grocery Shopper Link, an omnichannel retail media network that will provide increased scale and customization tools for advertising and media activations across NGI’s 300 stores […]