Campbell Soup Co. has completed its acquisition of Colorado-based Sovos Brands for $23 per share in an all-cash transaction, which represents a total enterprise value of about $2.7 billion. “This important milestone in Campbell’s history adds several market-leading and scaled premium brands to our company,” said Mark Clouse, Campbell’s president and CEO. “It accelerates Campbell’s […]
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, Feature, Grocery Store Equipment, Northeast
Hershey Shares Insights On Front-End Queuing, Self-Checkout
Nicole Capes, senior manager of retail experience with The Hershey Co., said 60 percent of shoppers prefer self-checkout because they feel like it is faster. To learn what works best for an optimal queue, Hershey spent countless hours observing shoppers in self-checkout areas in different retail environments, including small and large format, grocery, mass market […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Donates $200K To Support Students Across Southeast
Publix and Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) made $200,000 in donations to support the education and well-being of students at 10 colleges and universities in communities it serves. Publix collaborated with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to provide $100,000 in Publix Cares scholarships to 50 minority students attending select schools. In addition, Publix donated […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
GrubMarket Acquires NC-Based Performance Produce
GrubMarket has completed its acquisition of Salisbury, North Carolina-based Performance Produce, a vertically integrated fresh produce business that sells more than 80 different items to about 100 different retail customers across the Southeastern U.S. In addition to wholesale distribution, Performance Produce also provides comprehensive 4PL services, including inbound and outbound logistics, warehousing and cold storage, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Dunnhumby, Placer.ai Begin Partnership For Consumer Insights
Dunnhumby and Placer.ai have partnered to empower retailers to unlock online and offline customer insights and create unique customer propositions. By combining location data, behavioral science and dunnhumby expertise in retail consulting, the partnership aims to give retailers and CPG companies an edge in competitive environments. The partnership will introduce a new range of connected […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Northeast
Utz Brands Showcases Snack Portfolio At Expo West
Utz Brands will feature two of its snack brands, Boulder Canyon and TORTIYAHS!, at the 2024 Natural Products Expo West to be held March 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. At the show, Boulder Canyon will debut Canyon Poppers, the brand’s first portfolio expansion beyond chips. The corn-based snack is made with avocado oil, certified […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Named Best Workplace For Diverse Professionals
The Kroger Co. has been recognized as a Best Workplace for Diverse Professionals by Mogul, a diversity-focused HR tech and recruitment firm. Kroger ranked in the top three among the list of 100 honorees. “We appreciate Mogul for recognizing Kroger’s commitment to creating a welcoming workplace for all associates, from all walks of life,” said […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, Southwest
The United Family Fundraiser Supports Wildfire Relief
The United Family launched a statewide donate-at-the-register campaign March 8 to raise funds for disaster relief across the Texas Panhandle following the recent devastating wildfires. Running through March 23, all proceeds from the effort will go to the Amarillo Area Foundation. In addition to the campaign and sending supplies to the area, The United Family […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Independent Store News, National
IGA Names Instacart As Red Oval Partner
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has partnered with Instacart as its new Red Oval Partner. Through the arrangement, Instacart will make it easier for more than 2,000 IGA member stores across the U.S to access its suite of advanced technologies, insights and benefits. These services offer enterprise-grade technology products and solutions that enhance retailers’ e-commerce […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Recognizes 14 Companies For Bag Hunger Efforts
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) has announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its statewide 2023 Bag Hunger Campaign contest, which will donate $16,500 to neighborhood hunger relief partners across the state. The campaign brought together retail members, vendors and community hunger relief partners, with participants offering multiple opportunities for consumers to contribute. Their efforts […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
FMI Report: Seafood Sales Return To Pre-Pandemic Level
During Seafood Expo North America, FMI – The Food Industry Association released its “Power of Seafood 2024“ report, which found seafood volume and dollar amounts have decreased, however, consumers are choosing to cook seafood dishes at home. With these shifts in purchasing and consumption, food retailers can attract seafood shoppers by emphasizing nutrition, sustainability and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, West
AFMA Appoints Bednar As First Female President
Lisa Bednar will become the first female president in the 80-year history of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) on April 1 when she takes the reins from Mark Miller, who will be retiring at the end of May. In announcing the appointment, AFMA noted that Bednar has served as its senior director of community […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independent Grocers Gather As 2024 NGA Show Opens
Celebrity chef Carla Hall delivered the opening keynote address for 2024 NGA Show. Based on early estimates, the 2024 NGA Show – which opened Sunday at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas – is on pace to be the largest in the history of the National Grocers Association. The popular three-day gathering, which […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award Goes To Kim Eskew Of Harps
Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores, is this year’s recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the National Grocers Association. The award, sponsored by Mondelēz International Inc., is presented annually to an independent retailer who demonstrates persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship. Eskew is committed to building a strong […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
RoNetco Supermarkets Hailed For Community Service Efforts
The National Grocers Association honored New Jersey-based RoNetco Supermarkets Inc. ShopRite with this year’s Peter J. Larkin Community Service Award. RoNetco Supermarkets encompasses nine ShopRite locations owned and operated by the Romano family, which has maintained deep ties to the communities they serve for many years. In 2023, the company’s stores raised more than $141,000 […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Southwest
Stryve Foods Expands Distribution Footprint Across U.S.
Stryve Foods has significantly expanded its distribution network across the U.S. to reach additional c-stores and grocery chains. All three of the company’s retail brands, Stryve, Vacadillos and Kalahari, are gaining momentum in the marketplace and its products are available at Love’s Travel Stops, Sierra Trading, Anderson Convenience Market, King’s Fuel, Energy North, AMCON Distributing […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, West, Whole Foods
Chosen Foods To Debut Sauces, Spreads At Expo West
Chosen Foods will debut three dip and drizzle sauces, a Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and a squeeze bottle package at Natural Products Expo West 2024 Hall E booth 5606. The company’s mission is to replace bad fats with the good ones by incorporating 100-percent pure avocado oil as a key ingredient in its products. Available at Walmart and on Chosen […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southwest
Tarrant Area Food Bank’s AgHub To Save, Redistribute Produce
Just over one year after breaking ground, the Tarrant Area Food Bank held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting to welcome its new Sid W. Richardson Foundation Agricultural Hub (AgHub) at 205 North Vacek St. in Fort Worth, Texas. Through agreements with farmers in the Tarrant Area and growers in the Rio Grande Valley and […]
Posted inProduce News, National
ReposiTrak Adds 10 Produce Suppliers To Traceability Network
ReposiTrak has announced the addition of 10 produce companies to the ReposiTrak Traceability Network. These members will exchange FDA-required key data elements for each critical tracking event in their supply chains, ensuring proactive compliance before the January 2026 deadline. The new members include: A California-based produce supplier in operation for more than 170 years; A […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Lundberg Becomes Leading Regenerative Organic Certified Brand
Lundberg Family Farms, a grower of organic rice and maker of packaged rice and rice snacks, has become the leading U.S. Regenerative Organic Certified food brand introducing more than 70 products across its portfolio. Last year, Lundberg became the first U.S.-grown rice brand to launch Regenerative Organic Certified rice. “We have a massive opportunity to positively impact consumers’ plates […]