Aldi has begun a partnership with Digital Wave Technology, provider of the AI-native ONE Platform, to enhance automation of digital channel product descriptions. By utilizing these enterprise AI solutions, Aldi will be able to expedite the delivery of precise, customer-focused product information to be used on the retailer’s digital touchpoints including website, app and email. […]
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, Association News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Launches New Website To Celebrate 10th Anniversary
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) has introduced its new Viva Fresh Produce Expo website as the expo celebrates its 10th anniversary. The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo will take place April 10-12 in Houston, Texas, bringing together produce industry leaders from across North America. Founded in 2015, Viva Fresh has grown into a premier event […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, West
Wonderful Pistachios Introduces No Shells Unsalted Pistachios
Wonderful Pistachios is launching No Shells Unsalted Pistachios in the U.S. and Canada in celebration of World Pistachio Day, taking place on Feb. 26. Ideal for health-conscious consumers and those looking to integrate a sodium-free snack into their daily lives, Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Unsalted will be available online and at retailers nationwide in 6-ounce […]
Posted inProduce News, Big Y Foods, Northeast
National Mango Board Names Big Y Foods As Retailer Of The Year
The National Mango Board (NMB) has named Big Y Foods as the recipient of its Mango Retailer of the Year award. This award honors the grocer for its contributions to the mango category, including significant year-over-year sales growth, in-store promotions and successful consumer engagement campaigns. The Mango Retailer of the Year award recognizes retailers that excel in supporting […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
Nugget Markets’ Moretti Wins NGA Best Bagger Championship
The National Grocers Association (NGA) awarded a $10,000 cash prize to Sebastian Moretti of Nugget Markets after he finished first in the Best Bagger Championship on Feb. 24. Sponsored by PepsiCo, the competition took place during the second day of The NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. The annual gathering […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Finishing Store Conversion In Jersey Shore, PA
Save A Lot is preparing to open a store Feb. 27 at 701 Allegheny St. in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, after converting it from a previous banner. “We believe this community deserves high-quality food at a value price point that works for them while still enjoying the benefits of a locally-operated, family-run grocery store,” said Harry […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Health & Wellness, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care Opens Clinic In Davenport, IA
The Health Exemplar Care clinic that Hy-Vee Inc. has opened at 4255 Elmore Ave. in Davenport, Iowa, is its fifth in the state. The clinic offers walk-in care to the general public from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients of all ages can be seen for a variety of non-life-threatening conditions, including flu, fever, […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest, Snacks Brands
Lakeview Farms, Noosa Yoghurt Merge To Form Novus Foods
Ohio-based Lakeview Farms has finalized its acquisition of noosa Holdings Inc. from The Campbell’s Company, merging the two businesses to form Novus Foods. Novus Foods will reflect the company’s goal to become the “leading CPG company for the refrigerated perimeter of the grocery store.” Announced Nov. 12, the merger was finalized Feb. 24 following the […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
NRS Integrates With Google To Help Attract In-Store Shoppers
National Retail Solutions (NRS) has announced a new integration with Google that makes it easier for independent retailers to attract shoppers to their stores. The collaboration allows retailers to automatically showcase their in-store products to local customers by searching on Google Search, Google Maps and the shopping tab. “We’re excited to collaborate with Google on this […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Four Midwest Grocers Join DoorDash Delivery Platform
DoorDash has added four Midwest grocers – Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Festival Foods, Marc’s and Woodman’s Food Markets – to the DoorDash Marketplace. The new partners offer consumers across three states increased access, adding to the more than 500,000 products available from regional grocers on the platform. Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets: The family-owned business specializes […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Natural Grocers, Southwest
Natural Grocers Introduces Private Label Organic Raw Tepache, Kombucha
Natural Grocers has introduced organic kombucha and organic raw tepache to its private-label lineup, both brewed with Certified Colorado Rocky Mountain Spring Water and flavored with organic fruit juices. The Natural Grocers Brand Organic Raw Kombucha is fermented with tea sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas and combined with organic evaporated cane sugar and organic […]
Posted inAssociation News, CERTCO Inc., National
Niemetscheck Named WGA’s Woman Of The Year
Amy Niemetscheck, president and CEO of Wisconsin-based Certco Inc., is the 2025 recipient of the Women Grocers of America (WGA) Woman of the Year Award. Presented at The NGA Show, the award is given to those who exemplify strong leadership qualities and a passion for the independent grocery industry. Honorees must be female professionals with […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National
NFRA Launches First Penguin Leadership Program
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has launched its First Penguin Leadership Program, a leadership development initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. Alongside this milestone, NFRA has unveiled its inaugural class of industry rising stars, a group of professionals poised to shape the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
Trig’s Honored With NGA’s Peter J. Larkin Award
The National Grocers Association honored T.A. Solberg Co., or “Trig’s,” with the Peter J. Larkin Community Service Award on Feb. 23 during the opening session of the 2025 NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. With a focus on strengthening communities across northern Wisconsin by providing essential resources and support, Trig’s […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southwest
HAC Inc. Adds Local Express’ Made-To-Order Solutions To Stores
HAC Inc. is deploying Local Express’ made-to-order omnichannel solution at 36 Homeland and 11 United stores in Oklahoma and Texas to modernize their prepared foods, catering and foodservices operations. HAC Inc. shoppers can place orders for holiday family meals, party trays, vegetable and seafood platters and butcher bundles. The Local Express system also enables the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, Sendik's
Balistreri Receives NGA’s Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
Ted Balistreri, co-owner of Wisconsin-based Sendik’s Food Markets, received the 2025 National Grocers Association’s (NGA) Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. The annual honor, sponsored by FMS Solutions, recognizes an independent grocer whose vision, leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on the industry. The award, one of the highest distinctions in independent grocery […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Hy-Vee, Caitlin Clark Foundation Launch Donation Campaign
Hy-Vee is partnering with the Caitlin Clark Foundation on a month-long donation campaign to end childhood hunger across the Midwest. The Caitlin Clark Foundation Round Up will take place March 1-31 across all Hy-Vee, Dollar Fresh Market and Fast & Fresh locations. Customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout, with […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Dollar General, Southwest
Dollar General Opens Distribution Center In North Little Rock, AR
Dollar General opened a new distribution center Feb. 22 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, that will support its traditional supply chain, DG Fresh network and DG Private Fleet. The facility, which totals about one million square feet, represents a $160 million investment in Pulaski County and is expected to create about 300 new jobs at […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast, Walmart
Helios Named First Software Winner Of Walmart’s Open Call Event
Tysons, Virginia-based Helios Artificial Intelligence has been named a winner of Walmart’s 11th Annual Open Call – the first recipient in the software category. As a result, the company has signed a deal (“golden ticket”) to provide its climate risk and price forecasting software for Walmart. Walmart held its 11th Annual Open Call event in […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, West
Albertsons Cos. Adds Bruno To Board Of Directors
Effective Feb. 21, Albertsons Cos. has named Frank Bruno to its board of directors, following the resignation of Steve Feinberg. The board accepted Feinberg’s resignation Feb. 21 in connection with his nomination for U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense. Bruno is the co-CEO of Cerberus, which is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange […]