John Taylor is joining SpartanNash’s legal team as VP and associate general counsel as the company seeks new market opportunities and advances toward its long-term growth goals. “John has earned the trust of his peers and clients for his strategic counsel and practical and innovative approach to conflict resolution in a dynamic operating environment,” said […]
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 inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
Alliance Retail Group, Swiftly Unveil Retail Media Network
Alliance Retail Group has launched its Retail Media Network in conjunction with Swiftly, offering more than 1,400 independent retailers a way to connect more personally with their 22 million unique consumers through digital and in-store campaigns. “What sets our Retail Media Network apart is that our retailers will receive 100 percent of the dollars we […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Tony’s Fresh Market Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Heritage Grocers Group has shared that its banner company, Tony’s Fresh Market, is marking its 45th anniversary with a year-long celebration featuring special sales, promotions, employee spotlights and increased philanthropic support. “From our humble beginnings in 1979, Tony’s has steadily grown into a thriving Chicagoland mainstay known for providing the most authentic offerings and freshest […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, National
Furman Joins FMI As Director Of Food, Product Safety Programs
FMI – The Food Industry Association has added Shelby Furman as its new director, food and product safety programs. In her role, Furman will be responsible for developing and implementing food and product safety programs, as well as directing food protection activities and providing technical expertise for the FMI membership. Specifically, she will work on […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, National
Combined Capabilities Of Mercatus Create Connected Ecosystem
Relationshop recently finalized the merger of two providers of e-commerce solutions for independent and regional grocers – Mercatus Technologies and Stor.ai. The new company is operating as Mercatus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Relationshop Inc. Galen Walters, CEO of Relationshop, spoke with The Shelby Report’s Jan Meade. He said Stor.ai, which is based in Tel […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Metcalfe’s, Midwest, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Acquires Wisconsin-Based Metcalfe’s Market
SpartanNash has acquired Metcalfe’s Market, a three-store grocery chain in Wisconsin, expanding its footprint in the state to seven stores. Upon close of the sale, the Madison and Wauwatosa locations will be continuing employment for all employees. The Metcalfe’s Market storefront, branding and core shopper experience will remain in place. Founded in 1917 by Henry […]
Posted inCenter Store, Southwest
Bertolli Expands d’Italia Pasta Sauce Line Into Olive Oil
Bertolli is expanding the brand’s d’Italia product line with d’Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil, an Italian-sourced extra virgin olive oil. Bertolli d’Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil is born out of America’s love of Italian ingredients and flavors, demonstrated by the success of the brand’s d’Italia pasta sauce line launched in 2021, which features a variety of white and red sauces and is inspired by Tuscan culinary traditions and techniques. The brand works to expand across categories and innovate in olive oil through sustainability, sourcing and cooking […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Produce News, West
Zespri Anticipates Successful Season As ‘Best Snack’ Winner
Zespri is anticipating a successful season this year, due to increased customer demand after receiving the 2024 Best Snack Award from Good Housekeeping. Retailers can expect shipments of the No. 1-selling kiwi brand soon as the first two shipping vessels left New Zealand. The vessels are expected to arrive at the Port of Philadelphia and the […]
Posted inBakery News, Northeast
Tom Cat Bakery Receives BRC Certification In Food Safety
Tom Cat Bakery, a New York City-based artisan bakery and a pioneer of the artisan bakery movement, has recently achieved BRC Grade-A level certification in food safety. This certification, awarded by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), underscores the bakery’s continued commitment to the highest standards of food […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, West
ASMI Celebrates Finalized Rule To Update WIC Packages
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) commends the Biden-Harris Administration and the USDA for improving the nutrition value of the Women’s, Infant’s and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition program’s food packages and further by adding more seafood to their entire array of nutritional programs. The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced the final science-based food package updates for WIC. This is the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
C&K Market CEO Wissmann To Retire, Names Successor
C&K Market’s Chairman and CEO Karl Wissmann has announced his intention to retire and has shared that Rocky Campbell will take over as CEO, planned for July 1. Wissmann will retain his chairman position. Much has happened at Medford, Oregon-based C&K Market Inc. since Wissmann joined in 2014. The company has remodeled 100 percent of its stores […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
SEG Begins Donation Campaign Supporting Children’s Hospitals
Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG) is partnering with eight children’s hospitals across the Southeast to raise funds for pediatric health care provided to local children. Through April 30, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers are encouraged to donate $1, $5 or round up their total grocery bill to support a local children’s hospital. Donations will aid each […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Schnucks Markets Donates $125K To Support The Urban League
Schnuck Markets has donated $125,000 to support the Urban League through the fourth annual “Round Up at the Register” campaign that celebrated Black History Month, held from Feb. 7-20. Customers donated $112,615 and Schnucks provided an additional $12,385. Shoppers had the option at checkout to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with 100 percent […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Online Grocery Sales Total $8B, Flat Versus Last Year
The overall U.S. online grocery market ended March with total monthly sales of $8 billion, holding steady compared to a year ago, according to the most recent Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopper Survey, fielded March 29-30. These monthly results are an improvement over March 2023, when total monthly online sales had fallen 8 percent on a […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IDDBA Speaker Lineup Includes Chip, Joanna Gaines
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has announced Chip and Joanna Gaines will be a part of the speaker lineup for IDDBA 2024, which is set for June 9-11 in Houston. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the association, which makes IDDBA 2024 one of the biggest shows in its history. “Having Chip […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Report: Shoppers Blame Government For Higher Grocery Prices
New findings from national research by The Feedback Group reveal that shoppers hold government policies and actions most responsible for higher food and grocery prices at supermarkets. In the study, 1,150 consumers rated a variety of entities and factors on a five-point scale, where five is “highly responsible” and one “not at all responsible”, as […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Walmart Health Expanding With 18 Additional Locations In Texas
The first three of 18 Walmart Health centers the retail giant plans for Texas this year have opened in Pearland, Sugar Land and Tomball, complementing the previous four sites in the state. “[The] grand opening of Walmart Health in Sugar Land, Texas, marks the 50th location in the United States, an important milestone in our […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Honors Top Suppliers
Whole Foods Market has announced the 16 brands receiving its 2023 Supplier All-Star Awards for promoting excellence through quality, innovation, value and sustainability. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on this committed group of suppliers and the remarkable contributions they’ve made to enriching our customer’s shopping experiences, advancing our purpose, and pushing the boundaries […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Southwest
Kroger Holds Grand Reopening In Mansfield, TX
The Kroger Co. held a grand reopening celebration April 10 for its recent remodeled store at 3300 E. Broad St. in Mansfield, Texas, following months of improvements at the location. Kroger kicked off the grand opening in Mansfield with a special weekly advertisement that features exclusive savings through April 16, including .20 cents off per […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
It’s Official: H-E-B Opens First Fort Worth Store
H-E-B held a grand opening Wednesday for its first store in Fort Worth, the fifth the retailer has built in the DFW Metroplex. The 125,000-square-foot location at 3451 Heritage Trace Parkway joins recently opened H-E-B stores in Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano, as well as six Central Market locations that have been around for more […]