Anchor Packaging’s new reusable packaging line, Anchorware Reusables, has been named the winner of the 2023 Best New Products award in the Foodservice Packaging category by Convenience Store News. Because reuse offers benefits consumers recognize and reduces packaging waste, Anchorware Reusables help operators differentiate their sustainability efforts. As more consumers seek sustainable solutions, reuse offers […]
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, West
Report: Retailers Sell More Avocados In Second Quarter
Spring and summer holidays generated higher avocado unit sales compared to 2022, according to the holiday retail recap report from the Misson Viejo, California-based Hass Avocado Board. Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day and Father’s Day contributed a combined 27.5 million incremental avocado units versus the prior year. Avocado volume during Cinco De Mayo grew […]
Posted inEmerging Leaders, National
Shelby Publishing Names 2023 Emerging Leaders
Shelby Publishing has announced its 2023 list of Emerging Leaders. These awards identifies and recognizes the next generation of leadership across all sectors of the food industry – retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers/vendors and solutions providers. “The Emerging Leaders platform is Shelby’s contribution to all the initiatives in place to attract and retain talented individuals,” said […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, National
Shelby Publishing Names 2023 Women Of Influence
Shelby Publishing has announced its 2023 Women of Influence across The Shelby Report of the Midwest, The Shelby Report of the West, The Shelby Report of the Southeast, The Shelby Report of the Southwest and The Griffin Report of the Northeast. This year’s slate of honorees vary from presidents, VPs, managers, directors, supervisors and more. […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National
IGA’s Ross To Deliver Keynote At PLMA Show
IGA Inc. President and CEO John Ross will be the keynote speaker at PLMA’s 2023 Annual Private Label Trade Show Nov. 12-14 in Chicago. Ross will speak at the Nov. 13 keynote breakfast, “Economics, Global Retailing and the Opportunity for Private Label Growth.” He is responsible for domestic and global operations for IGA, the world’s […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
ShopRite Raises Funds For Hunger Action Month
ShopRite and its foundation, ShopRite Partners In Caring, held a fundraising campaign in September in recognition of National Hunger Action Month. The effort is designed to raise awareness around the issue of food insecurity and inspire action within local communities throughout the entire year. Approximately 200 ShopRite stores in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, […]
Posted inGelson's, Grocery Store Equipment, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Gelson’s, Rove Partner For EV Charging Centers
Gelson’s has finalized a partnership with Rove, a developer and operator of full-service electric vehicle charging centers, to provide food and beverage services. Rove will launch by building an initial six locations in Southern California beginning this year, with 20 charging centers planned by 2026. The deal represents a first-of-its-kind retail brand partnership for Gelson’s. ReCharge by […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, West
UNFI Concludes Natural Winter Show In Las Vegas
United Natural Foods Inc. has completed its 2023 schedule of shows and events, concluding Sept. 28 with its 2023 UNFI Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout the two-day event, more than 2,000 attendees connected with UNFI’s community of suppliers, offering an assortment across grocery, fresh, organic and specialty departments. The show also featured […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Ask The Experts, Grocery Store Equipment, National
How To Use Technology To Level The Grocery Playing Field
Sponsored content Grocery technology has seen a massive transformation over recent years, with big box stores dominating the landscape and changing the game for technology with the independent grocers. This prompts the question, are you utilizing your point-of-sale technology to the best of its capabilities? In our Ask the Experts, we talk with Rene Stai, […]
Posted inC-Store News, Midwest
Wawa Shares Plans For First 60 Stores In Ohio, Indiana
Wawa has shared its plans to open about 60 locations each in Ohio and Indiana over the next eight to 10 years. The news was announced during its Community Partnership Day Tour held Sept. 26-28, where the c-store chain also detailed its expansion into neighboring Kentucky. Wawa has more than 16 sites under contract across […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Superior Grocers Tees Up Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Superior Grocers held its annual foundation golf tournament Sept. 23 at the JW Marriott in Palm Desert, California, marking a milestone with $3.5 million in donations since its inception in 1998. The Superior Foundation, alongside its vendor partners, raised more than $400,000 during this year’s tournament. The funds will help support vital initiatives in education, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southeast
Save A Lot Celebrates Store Remodels In South Carolina
Save A Lot recently completed store remodels at two South Carolina locations – 917 E. Main St. in Laurens and 410 E N Duncan Bypass in Union. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 4, Dwyane Goodwin, store owner and operator in Laurens, along with the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, will hold a ribbon cutting […]
Posted inCoborn's, Independent Store News, Midwest
Coborn’s To Reopen Tadych’s Marketplace In Marquette, MI
Coborn’s Inc. will hold a grand reopening Oct. 5 for Tadych’s Marketplace that recently underwent a significant renovation in Marquette, Michigan. Located at 1401 O’Dovero Drive, the store now features a larger product selection and new look that includes updated flooring, decor and bathrooms. Energy-efficient lighting has been installed and the front end was upgraded […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Rolls Out Fall-Inspired ‘Own Brand’ Products
Southeastern Grocers Inc. has introduced fall-themed Own Brand products into premium ice cream flavors and fresh bakery items. The limited-edition items include a Prestige Pumpkin Spice Latte ice cream and a Prestige Sack ‘Em Sundae ice cream. “We’ve put a lot of thought and effort into the creation of these items to ensure they capture […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast, Supply Chain News
UNFI Names 2023 ‘Elite Drivers Of The Year’
As part of its Driver Ambassador Program, Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI has recognized four of its employees as 2023 “Elite Drivers of the Year,” presenting each with $10,000. In addition, each of their respective distribution centers received a premium, UNFI-branded Navistar LT625 tractor to use for deliveries during the next year. The drivers and their […]
Posted inC-Store News, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
Wawa Announces Expansion Into Kentucky
During a two-stop Community Partnership Day visit to Kentucky on Sept. 26, Wawa announced its plans to open about 40 stores across the commonwealth over the next eight to 10 years, with the first groundbreakings set for mid-2024. To date, Wawa has more than 15 sites under contract across Boone, Bullitt, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, National
Report: Online Grocery Shoppers Expect Omnichannel Convenience
Acosta Group’s annual online grocery report reflects a slight uptick over last year, with 55 percent of shoppers buying groceries online at least some of the time. According to the report, the upward trend is driven by more consumers who are buying online regularly but still shopping mostly in-store. Research was conducted July 7-13 with […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Heartland Produce Co. Picks Repositrak For Compliance
Heartland Produce Co., a family-owned and -operated wholesale produce distribution company, has adopted an automated solution from Repositrak to collect and maintain compliance documentation. “All of us at Heartland Produce take pride in making food safety the top priority in everything we do – from how we handle and store product, to how we deliver […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Smart & Final, West
Smart & Final President Scott Drew Announces Retirement
Chedraui USA, the fourth largest grocery retailer in California and parent company of El Super, Smart & Final and Fiesta Mart stores, has announced that Smart & Final President Scott Drew will retire, effective Sept. 29. Drew began his career in the industry more than four decades ago as a grocery clerk. He joined Smart […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Festival Foods, Independent Store News, Online Grocery Technology, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Optimize Operations With Upshop
Harps Food Stores has partnered with Upshop, a provider of inventory and replenishment optimization solutions, to improve its operational efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. The Springdale, Arkansas-based grocer chose Upshop’s Magic product to address challenges such as monitoring and managing store conditions, generating orders and ensuring product availability. Upshop’s Magic offers a suite of capabilities, […]