Vallarta Supermarkets has expanded its use of RELEX Solutions to include advanced pricing and promotion planning optimization. Last year, Vallarta selected RELEX to implement space and assortment planning across its 56 stores and more than 30,000 SKUs. Building on this foundation, Vallarta’s expansion with RELEX will bring enhanced accuracy to their pricing strategies and boost sales and profitability. […]
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, Midwest
NoKota Packers Celebrates 45th Anniversary, Launches New Logo
Buxton, North Dakota-based NoKota Packers Inc. celebrated its 45th anniversary as it closed out a successful year and launched a new logo on Jan. 1. Founded in 1979, NoKota Packers shipped 220,000 hundredweight of potatoes and employed 18 employees in their first season. Forty-five years later, the company has more than doubled in size – […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
SEPC Names 2025 Vorhees Vision Scholarship Recipients
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) has named this year’s Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients. The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Marketing News, National
Mars Appoints Jacobs As VP, Marketing For Food, Nutrition Segment
Mars Inc. has appointed CPG industry veteran David Jacobs as VP of marketing for Mars Food & Nutrition North America. Jacobs reports to Dave Dusangh, regional president of Mars Food & Nutrition North America. “We’re excited to welcome David to Mars Food & Nutrition. His impressive background in building world-leading CPG brands and leading high-performing teams aligns perfectly […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Grocers, Inc., Southeast
Associated Grocers Hosts Shopping Spree At 2 Louisiana Stores
Associated Grocers Inc. celebrated Food Club’s 80th birthday by awarding two customers with a five-minute shopping spree at their local Associated Grocers’ retail member store. The month-long entry contest culminated with the announcement of the two winners who went on a shopping spree down the aisles of their favorite Associated Grocers store. Food Club is one […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National
Mondelēz Survey: Consumers Focused On Snacking Connections With Others
Mondelēz International Inc. has released new findings on love, connection and snacks from the sixth annual State of Snacking report, a global consumer trends study that examines snacking decisions. In time for Valentine’s Day, the survey found that 71 percent of consumers worldwide agree that sharing snacks with others is a love language. Developed in […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Harris Teeter, Southeast
Harris Teeter Ranks Among Best For Customer Service
Harris Teeter has been recognized on USA Today’s list of “America’s Best Customer Service” for 2025. “Harris Teeter’s valued associates are at the heart of everything we do, and this award is a testament to their dedication and care,” said Danna Robinson, Harris Teeter’s director of corporate affairs. “We’re so proud every time we hear […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, ShopRite
Former Longtime Wakefern Chairman Accepts FMI Honor
ShopRite of Hunterdon County President Joseph Colalillo was one of eight food industry executives FMI – The Food Industry Association honored with Executive Leadership Awards during its Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. Colalillo, who served as chairman of Wakefern Food Corp. from 2005-23, received the Sidney R. Rabb Award for Statesmanship. In its […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast, UNFI
UNFI Celebrates Circle Of Excellence Retailers During Spring, Summer Show
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) recognized five high-performing retailers of various sizes during its second Spring and Summer Selling Show of 2025 in Orlando, Florida. According to UNFI, the retailers are driving growth, innovation and community impact across the grocery retail industry. In a ceremony Feb. 12, UNFI’s second annual Customer Circle of Excellence Awards honored […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Natural Grocers, West
Natural Grocers To Hold Celebrate Arizona Event
Natural Grocers will hold its first “Celebrate Arizona” event, taking place Feb. 14-16 at all 11 Arizona locations. In honor of Arizona Statehood Day, {N}power members will receive a free, state-themed Natural Grocers reusable bag, along with a $5 off coupon for in-store purchases. Natural Grocers expanded to Arizona in 2012, opening its Flagstaff store that July, followed by two more locations that same […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Selects 2025 Creative Choice Award Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has revealed the winners of its annual Creative Choice Awards, which recognize outstanding marketing and merchandising programs from independent grocery retailers across the country. Recipients of the Creative Choice Awards receive national recognition at The NGA Show, set for Feb. 23-25 at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Prepares For Grand Opening In Conway, AR
Harps Food Stores will hold a grand opening March 12 for a new location at 3500 Dave Ward Drive in Conway, Arkansas. The 39,000-square-foot store will offer a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including organic items; USDA Prime beef, all natural pork, poultry and seafood; deli and signature bakery products; and fresh sushi […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, The Kroger Co.
The Kroger Co. Appoints Kennerley As SVP, CFO
David Kennerley has been named SVP and CFO for The Kroger Co., effective April 3. Kennerly, who currently serves as SVP and CFO for PepsiCo Europe, will succeed interim CFO Todd Foley. Kennerley will join the company as SVP on March 10, while Foley continues as interim CFO through the end of Kroger’s fiscal year […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Equipment, Midwest
Wells Marketplace Embraces Big Technology Solutions With LOC Software
Sponsored content In the heart of Wells, Minnesota, Wells Marketplace is a testament to how independent grocers can blend community values with technology from LOC Software. For more than 30 years, this hometown grocery store has been more than just a place to buy food – it’s been a cornerstone of the community, demonstrating that […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Elects New Board Members During Midwinter Executive Conference
FMI – The Food Industry Association elected new members to its board of directors during the organization’s annual Midwinter Executive Conference. The incoming directors bring a diverse range of expertise from across the food industry to help navigate the rapidly evolving business, economic and political landscape in the years ahead. “FMI’s board of directors serves […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA, Fincretive Expanding Access To Healthy Benefit Cards
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has partnered with Fincretive to integrate healthy benefit cards (HBC) and over-the-counter (OTC) cards into NGA members’ point-of-sale (POS) systems. “This partnership simplifies healthy benefit card acceptance by easily connecting NGA members to all major card processors through their POS providers,” said Stephanie Johnson, NGA’s group VP of government relations. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Welcomes Read As Chairman At Annual Meeting
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) welcomed a new chairman at its recent annual membership meeting and highlighted the addition of 33 members and 48 sponsors for 2025 – both of which set records for the organization. Jason Read, director of store operations, Region 1-Central and North Jersey of Wawa, is the new chairman, taking […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Food Stores, West
AFS Selects Procurant For FSMA 204 Rule Compliance
Salt Lake City, Utah-based Associated Food Stores (AFS) has selected Procurant, a collaborative software platform for retail grocers, to be a core component of its compliance solution for FSMA 204 rule reporting and traceability. The selection enables AFS to meet the FDA’s enhanced food safety requirements, set to take effect in January 2026, using Procurant’s […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion Names Hardesty Store Manager Of The Year
Jon Hardesty, manager of the Food Lion store in Leonardtown, Maryland, was named the retailer’s 2024 Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager Excellence Award winner. Hardesty was selected from a group of more than 1,100 store managers across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. Named for Ketner, one of Food Lion’s founders, the awards recognize exceptional store […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Backs Senate Resolution To Overturn EPA’s Final Rule
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has given strong support for Sen. Roger Marshall’s (R-Kansas) Congressional Review Act resolution, SJ Res. 14, to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s Final Rule: Management of Certain HFCs and Their Substitutes Under the AIM Act. According to NGA, the management rule imposes a series of costly and complex compliance requirements that threaten the […]