Insights revealed from FMI – The Food Industry Association, Oliver Wyman and Circana highlight new opportunities for food industry trading partners to cater to shoppers’ expanding definitions of value. The research, “Finding Growth for Food & Beverage at Retail: Winning Eating Occasions throughout the Day,” supports go-to-market strategies and ways in which grocers can attract more shopper relevance regarding needs, experiences, […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast
Tops Celebrates Remodeled Store In Williamsville, NY
Tops Friendly Markets celebrated its latest renovated store Feb. 27 in the Village of Williamsville, New York, located three miles from the Tops’ corporate headquarters. The Williamsville location has served the Historic Village of Williamsville for more than 56 years. It offers enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products and an enlarged fresh perimeter with […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
With New Store in Kansas, Fareway Expanding Into Eighth State
In a move that would bring the grocer into an eighth state, Fareway said it will be submitting an application to build a 21,000-square-foot store in Basehor, Kansas. “We would like to thank local city officials for helping make this project possible, as we look forward to serving and becoming an integral part of the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Moser’s Foods, ProfitTrax AI Target Whole Store Profitability
Moser’s Foods, in partnership with PFSbrands, has chosen the ProfitTrax AI Solutions Suite to optimize retail operations and enhance profitability. The central Missouri grocer chose Smart Retail Solutions’ ProfitTrax AI for its advanced analytics capabilities, plain English generative AI profit improvement insights and track record in the retail grocery sector. “We are excited to partner […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Dierberg’s, Midwest
Dierbergs Selects Swiftly To Up Omnichannel Experience
Dierbergs Markets has partnered with Swiftly, a provider of retail technology and tools, to enhance its customer experience by integrating digital and in-store offerings for increased personalization. In addition, Swiftly’s retail media network offers Dierbergs a new vehicle for vendors to reach shoppers and grow sales. “Adopting Swiftly’s retail technology is an important step for […]
Posted inC-Store News, Northeast
GetGo Cafe + Market Opening New Location On Leap Day
GetGo Café + Market, which is owned and operated by Giant Eagle, will celebrate Leap Day on Feb. 29 with the grand opening of its first Pennsylvania location – and the third to feature a drive-thru lane – at 663 New Castle Road in Butler, Pennsylvania. “We’re so excited to celebrate the opening of our […]
Posted inCoborn's, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Welcomes Coborn To Board Of Directors
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has appointed Chris Coborn, chairman and CEO of Minnesota-based Coborn’s Inc., to its board of directors. Coborn replaces Jeff Reasor, president of Reasor’s, a division of Brookshire Grocery Co., who recently resigned from the panel. Coborn’s is a corporation of grocery, pharmacy, convenience, liquor and retail stores with online grocery ordering/delivery […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG Brands, Daymon Expand Product Quality Partnership
AWG Brands, the private brands of Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), has announced an expanded partnership with private brand agency Daymon, an Advantage Solutions company. The arrangement will support the quality expectations of each brand within the AWG Brands offerings and include extensive product information in Daymon’s RIVIR platform. Best Choice Family of […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Albertsons Cos., RRD Eye Marketing Transformation
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has expanded its partnership with RRD to transform its promotional marketing and grocery merchandising. To drive customer loyalty, Albertsons is reaching its audience beyond transactions through localized and omnichannel marketing efforts supported by RRD. Leveraging a number of proprietary retail marketing technologies, RRD will enhance the velocity and execution of personalized […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Association News, National
NGA Praises FTC’s Freeze On Kroger-Albertsons Merger
The National Grocers Association (NGA) issued the following response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision Feb. 26 to challenge the merger between Kroger and Albertsons. “Every day, America’s local independent supermarkets face economic challenges due to the influence of massive power buyer chains who use their leverage over suppliers at the expense of smaller […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Hails New Seasons For Innovation, Market Strategies
Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market received three awards during the recent UNFI Circle of Excellence ceremony in San Diego, California. The Circle of Excellence honors businesses for outstanding innovation and market strategies. New Seasons Market received the Regional Chain Performance Award (West Region), as well as Regional Chain of the Year and Overall Customer of […]
Posted inDollar General, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Dollar General Continues Growth With New Texas Store
Dollar General Corporation celebrated the grand opening of its 20,000th store at its DG Market location in Alice, Texas. “Today marks an incredible milestone in Dollar General’s history,” said Steve Deckard, EVP of store operations and development. “From our first general store to today’s 20,000th store opening, our mission to serve others and help customers […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
SQFI Names 2024 Excellence Awards Finalists
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has announced six finalists for the 2024 SQF Excellence Awards in anticipation of 2024 SQF Unites in New Orleans. Excellence in Auditing The Excellence in SQF Auditing award is presented to an SQF auditor who demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
FTC Sues To Block Kroger, Albertsons Merger
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued to block the proposed merger between The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., alleging that the deal is anticompetitive. The FTC charges that the proposed deal will eliminate competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items for millions of Americans. The […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
RELEX Mobile Pro Simplifying Item Replenishment Process
RELEX Solutions has introduced RELEX Mobile Pro, an advanced AI-driven in-store execution application for retailers, suppliers, wholesalers and manufacturers. RELEX Mobile Pro is a solution for retailers looking to consolidate in-store tools and processes. It gives employees an accurate store ordering and tasking offering, with a particular focus on managing the complexities of the fresh […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Marketing News, Southeast
Longtime Publix Executive Joins Bay Food Brokerage
Bay Food Brokerage has expanded its leadership team by hiring longtime Publix Super Markets executive Nicki Crespo as director of fresh meat and private label. In her new position, Crespo will play a role in Bay Food’s private label opportunities and help guide the company in all initiatives involving meat departments in major supermarkets throughout […]
Posted inMarketing News, Executive News, Southwest
Schraad Realigning Fresh Division Team
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Schraad Sales & Marketing has realigned its Fresh Division Teams under the leadership of Chief Strategic Officer Patrick Thompson and Nathan Nixon, VP strategy of fresh. The restructure includes the promotions of Tom Williams, Clay Jones and Sherry Wood and the addition of Codie Hair to the team. According to Schraad, the […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Health & Wellness, West
Ruiz Foods Opens Third On-Site Employee Health Center
Ruiz Food Products opened an on-site health center – the company’s third – for insured employees and their covered family members Feb. 12 at its plant in Dinuba, California. In late 2023, the company opened similar centers at its plants in Florence, South Carolina, and Denison, Texas. The Ruiz Foods Health Center, operated by CareATC, […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Albertsons, Association News, Northeast
PLMA Sets Keynote, Speaker Lineup For Upcoming Conference
Brandon Brown, SVP of Own Brands at Albertsons Cos., will be the keynote speaker at the PLMA 2024 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference, set for March 20-22 in San Antonio. With a focus on trends, the gathering at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk brings together manufacturers, retailers and others to gain insights, knowledge and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Heritage Grocers Debuts Cardenas Loyalty Program
Ontario, California-based Heritage Grocers Group has introduced Cardenas Rewards, a loyalty program designed to provide additional value and benefits to customers of Cardenas Markets. “We are thrilled to offer our new and innovative loyalty program to our dedicated customers and are thankful for their participation,” said CMO Adam Salgado. “This program is another great way […]