Food Lion will open a new store July 24 at 55 Ford Meadows Drive in Garner, North Carolina, following a 7:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterward, the first 100 customers in line will receive a mystery gift card valued up to $200 and a free reusable shopping bag. “Our Garner community has always trusted us to […]
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, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, Private Label Brands, Snacks Brands, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Brands Expands Best Choice Produce Snacks
AWG Brands, the private brands portfolio of Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., has launched its new Best Choice produce snack program. Designed to merchandise in grocers’ produce departments, the program offers a curated selection of 15 natural snacks. “We’re continuing to see growth in the category based on analytics from the AWG Partner Gateway […]
Posted inDollar General, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National
Report: Dollar Stores Hit Rural Independent Grocers Hardest
Independent grocery stores have long been a staple of rural America. However, according to a new study by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), the rise of dollar stores poses a threat to these independent grocers. Economists from ERS, North Dakota State University and the University of Connecticut recently investigated the implications of the growth […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Simbe Introduces Mobile Application, Virtual Tour Capabilities
As a majority of retailers embrace in-store technologies that improve business and store team performance, Simbe has introduced new product capabilities. This is one of Simbe’s largest software updates to date and extends the value of its web platform – as the only platform with proven results at scale used by dozens of retailers across three continents. The first solution, Simbe Mobile, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Beaver Street Fisheries, iFoodDS Partner On Seafood Traceability Initiative
Beaver Street Fisheries and iFoodDS have introduced a proof-of-concept project to connect the seafood supply chain from producers to distributors to food service and grocery retail customers. The iFoodDS Trace Exchange with IBM Food Trust platform enables this connectivity, allowing Beaver Street Fisheries and its supplier network to capture, store and share data required by […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Giant Eagle’s Market District Prepares To Open In Westfield, IN
Giant Eagle Inc. is preparing to open a new Market District store July 25 at 744 East Tournament Trail in Westfield, Indiana. This will mark the company’s second specialty grocery location in the Indianapolis area. The Westfield Market District has been built from the ground up, designed with the local community in mind. The store’s […]
Posted inNorthgate Market, Independent Store News, West
Northgate Gonzalez Market Holds Inaugural Asada Fest In Los Angeles
More than 1,500 people from the Los Angeles community attended Northgate González Market’s inaugural Asada Fest on July 13. Attendees were able to sample mesquite-grilled tacos from LA’s top taqueros and renowned Mexican chefs. “At Northgate González Market, we know the ‘asada’ is a cherished tradition that brings families and friends together while enjoying good […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
El Super Opens New Location In Bell Gardens, CA
El Super, a California-based chain of Hispanic-focused supermarkets, held a ribbon cutting for its new store July 17 at 7102 Eastern Ave. in Bell Gardens, California. The 41,000-square-foot store marks the second new El Super of the year, following the brand’s last store opening in San Ysidro, California. The store provides shoppers with an assortment […]
Posted inSustainability News, Association News, Northeast
Reusable Bag Redistribution Project Supports NJ Communities
In a limited rollout over the past year, the New Jersey Clean Communities Council – in cooperation with a key partner, Goatote, and other stakeholders – launched a plan through which residents can donate unwanted reusable grocery bags to local food banks and pantries. During that span, the NJCCC estimates that hundreds of thousands of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Opens Store In Huntington Station, NY
Whole Foods Market opened a new 43,916-square-foot store July 17 at 350 Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station, New York. The store’s design emphasizes simplicity and modernity, incorporating elements reminiscent of the bay area’s fluidity and the neighborhood’s commuter heritage. The new location’s product assortment features more than 2,000 local items from the Northeast, sourced […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Invests $200K Into Florida Coral Reef Conservation Efforts
Publix has donated more than $200,000 in the past two years to protect coral reefs, which are vital for ocean health and provide a nursery for juvenile fish and crustaceans. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, around 25 percent of the fish in the ocean depend on coral reefs to survive. “At Publix, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Foundation Awards $50K In Scholarships
The Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation awarded $50,000 in scholarships to employees or their dependents from MGA member companies for the 2024-25 school year. This program helps students related to Minnesota’s food industry by supporting their educational growth. Using funds raised from an annual golf event and silent auction, the MGAF is able to award scholarships […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, National
Instacart, Northwell Health Expand Access To Food For Patients, Staff
Instacart and Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system, have begun a partnership through the Instacart Health initiative to use Instacart’s platform and products to expand access to nutritious food, inspire sustainable healthy choices and scale food as health programs to reach diverse Northwell communities. “Raising health is more than the care Northwell provides in our hospitals and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Charities Donates More Than $900K To City Of Hope
Stater Bros. Charities, the charitable arm of Stater Bros. Markets, presented a check on June 25 for $906,527 to the City of Hope, representing the donations from its 12-day Kids 4 Hope fundraising campaign. From May 1-12, Stater Bros. Markets locations jointly collected more than $900,000 in donations from customers and employees to support childhood […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Foundation Reveals 2024 Scholarship Recipients
The NGA Foundation has announced the 22 recipients of its 2024 scholarship program, provided by donors and affiliate groups. “The foundation is honored to play a role in advancing the education of the food industry’s next generation of leaders,” said NGA Foundation’s VP Chelsea Matzen. “This year’s recipients demonstrate a passion for serving their communities. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Opens Perishable Distribution Center In Lancaster, TX
Walmart employees, local elected officials and community members celebrated the grand opening of a new 730,000-square-foot perishable distribution center July 16 in Lancaster, Texas. The new facility receives and processes fresh produce, eggs, dairy, flowers and frozen goods for delivery to nearby Walmart stores. The perishable distribution center is Walmart’s second Lancaster-based facility, following the next […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest
Fareway Holds Ribbon Cutting For Site In Hull, IA
Fareway Stores Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony July 17 for a new store at at Highway 18 and Division Street in Hull, Iowa. The 10,600-square-foot store provides a full-service butcher counter and a large grocery selection with fresh-cut produce, healthy varieties and locally-sourced items. A variety of craft beer, fine wines and top-shelf spirits also […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Walgreens Expands Private Label Brand, Establishes ‘Nice! For You’
Walgreens is launching “Nice! For You,” a new tier of its private label grocery brand, “Nice!,” to help customers find food choices that help support their journey to a healthier lifestyle. “Nice!” launched in 2011 and offers a range of everyday food and beverage products at a low cost. While all “Nice!” products meet national brand standards […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Marks NYC Anniversary, Touts New Store Format
Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, alongside 70 employees, rang the Nasdaq opening bell July 15 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first New York City flagship store. The 2004 opening of the Columbus Circle location, the largest grocery store in the city at that time, marked a major step in the company’s expansion […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Save A Lot
New Ownership Announced For Save A Lot In Johnstown, PA
Save A Lot has shared that retail veteran Khalid Ajmal and his son, Affan, are the new owners of the store at 346 Sheridan St. in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. “Affan and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide well-stocked stores filled with fresh produce and meat cut daily in stores to our Johnstown customers,” Ajmal […]