The way Americans cook is evolving, and the freezer aisle is leading the charge. Once seen as just a place for convenience meals, today’s frozen options provide fresh-tasting ingredients, chef-inspired meals and budget-friendly solutions for every lifestyle. And with March as Frozen Food Month, it’s a great time to explore everything it has to offer. […]
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, News, West
Country Archer Provisions Rebrands As Archer
San Bernardino, California-based Archer, formerly known as Country Archer Provisions, has introduced a new brand identity – including a streamlined name, new logo and refreshed packaging – in an effort to increase recognition for the meat snack brand. The branding debuted at the recent Natural Products Expo West Show. The new packaging will begin rolling […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Fareway, Midwest, News
Lottery Ticket Purchases At Checkout Debut In Select Fareway Stores
Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are now available for purchase in checkout lanes at select Fareway stores in Iowa, marking the option’s state debut. The Iowa Lottery purchase process, called Easy Play, soon will roll out to all Fareway locations in the state that sell tickets. Customers will be able to buy easy-pick tickets (meaning […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News
Lunds & Byerlys To Close Downtown St. Paul Location
Lunds & Byerlys plans to shutter its store at 115 East 10th St. in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, at the close of business March 26. “It’s a decision we didn’t want to make, but one we needed to make given the significant staffing and financial challenges we’ve experienced over the past five years,” the grocer […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, Southeast
Cochran Named Food City’s Store Manager Of The Year
Food City named Mitch Cochran as its 2025 Jack C. Smith Store Manager of the Year during a meeting Feb. 27 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The award is named in memory of the company’s founder and former chairman of the board. Cochran, who manages Food City No. 743 in Cleveland, Tennessee, achieved outstanding performance across a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Seeking ‘Quest For Texas Best’ Entries
H-E-B is accepting entries through April 23 for its 12th annual “Quest for Texas Best,” a competition to find the top products made in the state. Participants will compete for a combined $100,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to land their products on H-E-B shelves across the state. Over the past decade, H-E-B has […]
Posted inPackaging News, News, Northeast
ProAmpac’s ProActive Platform Wins At 2025 PAC Global Awards
ProAmpac’s ProActive Recyclable RP-1000 Paper Platform has won Best in Class and an Award of Distinction at the 2025 PAC Global Awards Celebration and Futures Edge Summit in New York. As part of the ProAmpac’s Fiberization of Packaging initiative, the RP-1000 platform stood out in the “Sustainable Package Design: Package Circularity” category for its combination of high-speed form-fill-seal performance, enhanced durability […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Topco Associates Shares Membership Updates
Topco Associates recently held its Annual Membership Conference, during which the cooperative provided updates, including that American Foods International and Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) have become members. American Foods International, headquartered in Miami, serves independent retailers throughout the Caribbean, Latin America and South Florida. It has joined as a full member, participating in dairy/commercial bakery; […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, West
The Save Mart Companies Names Pulido Store Manager Of The Year
George Pulido of the FoodMaxx store in San Pablo, California, has been named The Save Mart Companies’ 2024 Piccinini-Tocco Outstanding Store Manager of the Year. The announcement was made during the company’s 31st Annual Management Awards Gala on March 8 in San Ramon. “From our roots in California’s Central Valley, The Save Mart Companies has […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Establishes E-Commerce Unit To Accelerate Online Growth
The Kroger Co. has established a new e-commerce business unit, aligning the teams contributing to all aspects of the online customer experience under the leadership of Yael Cosset, EVP and chief digital officer. Cosset, who also will continue in his role as SVP and chief information officer, will expand his responsibilities to include the new e-commerce […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News
AWG Brands Introduces New Products Focused On Innovation, Health, Convenience
AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., has introduced a lineup of new grocery products this quarter that includes an array of flavors, health-focused options and products that cater to convenience and growing consumer trends. The new AWG Best Choice private label products include: Avocado cooking spray – A health-conscious alternative […]
Posted inSoutheast, Corporate Store News, News, Online Grocery Technology
Ahold Delhaize USA Enhances In-Store Advertising With Inmar Intelligence
AD Retail Media, the retail media arm of Salisbury, North Carolina-based Ahold Delhaize USA, is enhancing the way shoppers engage with products at the point of purchase through its in-store advertising. Through a partnership with Inmar Intelligence, AD Retail Media will offer advanced in-store advertising solutions for CPG partners at Ahold Delhaize USA’s local brand […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Donates First Electric Food Rescue Van In Austin, TX
Whole Foods Market has shared a major milestone in its Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program with the donation of its first electric food rescue vehicle, made in the company’s hometown of Austin, Texas. Since launching in September 2020, the program has provided 60 refrigerated vans to food rescue organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Moving forward, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Cos. Pledges To Donate 1.5B Meals By 2030
As part of its Recipe for Change impact framework, Albertsons Cos. and its foundation have established a new goal to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2030 through a combination of surplus food donations and funds raised by its foundation, after meeting the original goal of more than one billion meals. In addition, the foundation’s Nourishing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Donates $112K To Support The Urban League
Schnucks Markets Inc., in partnership with its customers, donated $112,000 to support the Urban League through the fifth annual “Round Up at the Register.” The campaign ran Feb. 5-18, with customers donating $97,364 and Schnucks providing an additional $14,636. Customers had the option at checkout to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, Southwest
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Expand Into Texas Over Next 2 Years
BJ’s Wholesale Club has shared plans to open 25-30 clubs over the next two fiscal years, including several clubs set in Texas’ DFW area starting in early 2026. “We are eager to continue our expansion by bringing unbeatable value, convenience and assortment to the Dallas-Fort Worth community,” said Bob Eddy, BJ’s chairman and CEO. “Economic […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Beverage News, News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Opens First Spirits & Wine Store In Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The Fresh Market opened its first Spirits & Wine store March 7 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The new Spirits & Wine site is located adjacent to The Fresh Market’s store and features a wide selection of premium spirits, wines and craft beer, as well as assorted mixers, snacks, glassware and wine by the glass. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Food Stores, West
AFS Begins Distribution Center Automation Project With Symbotic
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and Symbotic Inc. have begun a warehouse modernization initiative at AFS’ Utah distribution center that will transform it into a next-generation facility equipped to meet future demands. The project also advances the wholesaler’s 85-year commitment to efficiency and service for nearly 500 independent grocers in the Intermountain West Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
FMI Report: Social Media, E-Commerce Boost Produce Consumption
FMI – The Food Industry Association released The Power of Produce 2025 report for the seventh consecutive year at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference, held March 6-8 in Orlando. With 94 percent of produce shoppers using social media platforms and 36 percent discovering new fruits and vegetables through them, digital engagement – especially with younger shoppers – […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Target Shares Strategic Plan To Drive $15B In Sales By 2030
During its financial community meeting March 4, Target Corp. outlined how ongoing investments aim to accelerate its strategic plan and drive billions of dollars of sales growth across its multi-channel business by 2030. The plans include: Bringing consumers an on-trend and affordable assortment; Reinforcing Target as the “destination for discovery” by blending its physical, digital […]