Modesto, California-based The Save Mart Companies has raised more than $71,000 via an in-store Hawai’i Wildfires Relief fundraiser. In addition to donations made by shoppers and store employees, the grocer and The Save Mart Companies’ CARES Foundation contributed $10,000. All of the funds will go to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. “The Save […]
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, Organic Natural, Southwest
Whole Foods Marks 20 Years As Organic Grocer
It has been 20 years since Whole Foods Market, which offers more than 37,000 organic products across its stores, first attained its organic retail certification. In fact, Whole Foods has promoted organic since before there was a National Organic Program. The company also requires certification for organic label claims on all products it sells. CEO […]
Posted inHy-Vee, Independent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee To Host Quarterly Local Brands Summit In November
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee will host its next quarterly Best of Local Brands Summit in November to expand product offerings at its more than 285 retail stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Since the Best of Local Brands summits began in 2021, more than 125 new brands have been selected […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Diverse Businesses Receive $50K At Hy-Vee Summit
Hy-Vee Inc. awarded $50,000 to minority- and women-owned businesses during its recent OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit at The University Club in Moline, Illinois. During the pitch competition component, 14 companies from across the Midwest presented to a panel of judges and more than 200 attendees. The company leaders were able to demonstrate their products or […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
NGA: Merger Rules Update Should Address Economic Discrimination
The National Grocers Association (NGA) supports the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission’s move to rewrite guidelines to curb mergers that enhance anti-competitive buyer power but asks that the final guidelines go further. According to the NGA, the rules should address the theories of harm that occur when enhanced buyer power is transformed into […]
Posted inMarketing News, Southeast
Alliance Retail Group Introduces ARG Marketing
Hendersonville, Tennessee-based Alliance Retail Group has announced the formation of ARG Marketing, which will allow it to move all ARG businesses under one group to drive retailer success in the independent grocery space. Leveraging the scale of 1,400 independent retailers for digital marketing, ARG Marketing will simplify complex solutions to engage consumers, maximizing marketing dollars […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Aims To Increase Shelf Space For Local Products
The Kroger Co. has announced it will increase the number of local products in-store by 10 percent following its proposed merger with Albertsons Cos. According to the Cincinnati-based grocery giant, that amounts to at least 30 new local products in each store. “Local farmers, bakers and producers are important parts of our ‘Fresh for Everyone’ […]
Posted inDairy News, Executive News, Southwest
Blue Bell President, CEO Dickson Announces Retirement
Brenham, Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries has announced that CEO and President Ricky Dickson will retire after serving 43 years with the company. The board of directors is conducting a search for his successor. Dickson will continue in his current role until the new CEO and president begins. “It has been an incredible honor to make […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS Reflects On Successful 2023 Ignite Conference
ECRS is reflecting on its recent Ignite 2023 Retail Success Conference, which drew hundreds of grocery retailers to Charlotte, North Carolina, to experience the latest in retail point-of-sale technology, forge relationships and expand their skills. Begun nine years ago as a customer appreciation gathering, the annual conference has transformed into an industry event. The company […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Heritage Grocers Group Joins Upside Platform
Upside has partnered with Heritage Grocers Group, a Hispanic- and ethnic-focused grocery retailer that serves as the parent company of brands including Cardenas Markets, El Rancho Supermercado and Tony’s Fresh Market. Cardenas Markets has partnered with Upside since July 2021. As part of an expanded partnership with Heritage Grocers Group, this collaboration will include El Rancho […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Hy-Vee To Honor Jack Trice On Limited-Edition Cereal
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee will honor Jack Trice, Iowa State University’s first Black athlete, with a limited-edition cereal that will be available in select stores across Iowa. A portion of the sales from Jack Trice Hy-Vee Wheat Flakes will benefit the Trice Legacy Foundation, which offers scholarships and technology grants for Black students. At Iowa […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Registration Now Open For 2024 NGA Show
Attendee registration is open for the 2024 NGA Show, the largest annual gathering of grocery retailers and wholesalers, food retail industry executives, manufacturers and suppliers. The 2024 NGA show will be held March 10-12 at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. Registration is available here. The three-day show brings together independent retailers, wholesalers, industry executives, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Main Street Competition Coalition Celebrates Bipartisan Bill
The House Small Business Committee took a first step toward restoring fair competition throughout the economy by unanimously green-lighting the Main Street Competes Act (H.R. 5424), and the Main Street Competition Coalition is calling on Congress to quickly pass the bipartisan bill. The bill, introduced by U.S. Reps. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), would give the […]
Posted inC-Store News, Midwest
Sheetz’s 700th Store Opens In Columbus, OH
The recently opened Sheetz store in Columbus, Ohio, is the Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain’s 700th location. Altoona, Pennsylvania-based Sheetz held a grand store opening ceremony Sept. 12 that included a tractor trailer filled with food donations for the local Columbus community and major giveaways, such as “Free Sheetz for a Year.” “As a family, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Center Store, National
IGA, Nestlé Purina PetCare To Expand Reinvention Program
The Independent Grocers Alliance has continued its strategic partnership with Nestlé Purina PetCare to expand the pet category reinvention program across IGA’s 1,900 U.S. retail members and their wholesalers. This collaboration will enhance the shopping experience for pet owners and provide additional touchpoints for retailers to engage and educate their shoppers in the pet care […]
Posted inAssociation News, Bravo Supermarkets, National
Celebrity Chef Carla Hall To Keynote 2024 NGA Show
The National Grocers Association has announced that celebrity chef Carla Hall will be the keynote speaker for the 2024 NGA Show, to be held March 10-12 at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. The opening keynote session is sponsored by The Kraft Heinz Co. The annual trade show and conference is being produced […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Aldi, Beverage News, National
Aldi Offering On-Demand Alcohol Delivery In 21 States
Through an expanded partnership with DoorDash, Aldi is offering on-demand alcohol delivery from more than 1,200 locations across 21 states. With the addition of Aldi, nearly 80 percent of DoorDash customers can access alcohol through age-verified delivery. “In addition to giving merchants a new way to reach customers, on-demand alcohol delivery helps partners grow their […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Stop & Shop Adds Upgraded Robots, Expands Their Use
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop has expanded its use of Badger Technologies’ Marty the Robot at stores across the Northeast. Marty the Robot conducts product checks to help ensure greater on-shelf availability for customers by alerting store employees when items need restocking. In addition to flagging out-of-stocks, the smarter version of Marty detects misplaced items […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Online Grocery Sales Climb To $9.3B In August
As many households engaged in back-to-school activities, online grocery sales in the U.S. grew 8.7 percent compared to last year, tallying $9.3 billion in sales, according to the latest monthly Brick Meets Click/Mercatus grocery shopping survey. Household demand for pickup and ship-to-home was strong, while delivery experienced a slowdown in order volume and mass continued […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
DoorDash Adds Eight Grocery Stores As Partners
Eight grocery stores from across the nation – including Lowe’s Markets, Pruett’s Food, Stater Bros. Markets and Strack & Van Til – are among Door Dash’s new partners. “We’ve made significant progress in investing in long-term partnerships with grocers of all sizes, all while remaining focused on improving quality and execution,” said Fuad Hannon, VP […]