Jimmie Gipson, long-time executive, CEO and chairman of the board at Houchens Industries, shared his retirement plans at the company’s Jan. 24 board meeting. Gipson, who has close to 55 years with the company, will retire March 31 from the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based company. The board has elected EVP Dion Houchins to succeed Gipson as […]
Author Archives: Treva Bennett
Senior Content Creator
After 32 years in the newspaper industry, she is enjoying her new career exploring the world of groceries at The Shelby Report.
Posted inShelby Originals, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Signature Content
Grocery Business Is In DNA Of Mackenthun’s Fine Foods Family
by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Midwest August Mackenthun opened a little butcher shop in Plato around the turn of the last century. The exact year is not known, said Kim Mackenthun, who with his son, Jaime, and daughter, Jessa, owns the business today. “Jaime and Jessa’s great-great-grandfather started a little store 12 miles west of (Waconia) right about […]
Posted inShelby Originals, C-Store News, Food Service News, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Latest News, Perishables, Shelby Signature Content, Southwest
Allsup’s Pushing Back Food Desert In Melrose, New Mexico
by John McCurry/contributing writer Melrose, New Mexico, is a town with a population of about 650 in the north central part of the state, about 30 miles from the Texas border. The town is in a rural area considered a food desert. Helping fill the gap is a new, larger Allsup’s convenience store, which offers […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Beverage News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Shelby Signature Content, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Showcases Innovation, Actionable Insights At NACS Show
by Treva Bennett/staff writer The Coca-Cola Co. showcased a variety of innovation and actionable insights at the 2019 NACS Show, held in October at the World Congress Center in Atlanta. New products and new flavors will be introduced early this year, with a few released in late 2019. According to J.C. Harvey, director of […]
Posted inRecommended Reading, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
Recommended: Publix To Buy Neptune Beach Lucky’s Lease
Publix Super Markets Inc. confirmed late Jan. 27 that it intends to buy the Lucky’s Market lease in Neptune Beach, Florida, raising the possibility that it will bring its GreenWise Market concept to Duval County. “I can confirm that we are under contract to purchase five Lucky’s leases with locations in Clermont, Naples, Neptune Beach, […]
Posted inBeverage News, Center Store, Food Service News, Organic Natural, Southwest, Suppliers
Farmer Brothers Board of Directors Appoints Mottern New Chairman
Farmer Bros. Co. has named Christopher Mottern as chairman of its board of directors. Mottern, who has served as a director on the Farmer Brothers board since 2013, succeeds Randy Clark, who will continue to serve as a director of the company. Mottern was appointed to Farmer Brothers’ board in 2013 and recently served as […]
Posted inPackaging News, Home Page Slider, Produce News, Suppliers, West
California Agricultural Companies Help Boost K-9 Campaign
Maxco Supply Inc. and SunWest Fruit Co. are collectively pledging $15,000 to help kick off the Parlier Police Department’s “Campaign K-9,” which seeks to raise $80,000 to cover the costs associated with purchasing the animal. The police dog will be tasked with protecting the rural community of Parlier in Fresno County, California, and assist with […]
Posted inAssociation News, C-Store News, Home Page Slider, Snacks Brands, Southwest
NCASEF Says 7-Eleven Ignores Requests To Hear Franchisee Concerns
In the 15 years since Joe DePinto has served as CEO of Dallas, Texas-based 7-Eleven, franchisees have struggled with profitability and working conditions. That’s according to the National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees (NCASEF), an elected, independent body representing the interests of more than 7,200 7-Eleven franchised locations in the U.S. NCASEF is concerned […]
Posted inMeijer, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest, Nonfood Items, Online Grocery Technology
Meijer Selects Hyer To Help Execute Its Gig Strategy
In an effort to drive even more efficiencies throughout its stores, Midwest retailer Meijer plans to utilize the Hyer platform/app across its 246-store footprint and its Serv-U-Success operation, to connect gig workers with identified tasks on demand. The Hyer app will allow Meijer to support its workforce needs in real-time, ensuring it can meet consumer […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, National
Updated: Lucky’s Market To Sell 11 Stores, Begins Chapter 11 Proceedings
Lucky’s Markets has agreed to sell various ongoing stores to its founders, Bo and Trish Sharon, who will be a stalking horse in the Lucky’s Chapter 11 process which was filed earlier this week, according to a Jan. 30 statement by investment banking advisor PJ Solomon. On Jan. 27, the Niwot, Colorado-based natural foods chain […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, West, Women In The News
Albertsons’ Own Brands Welcomes Alice Chan VP Of Sales And Marketing
The Own Brands team from Albertsons welcomed Alice Chan to its leadership team on Monday, Jan. 20. Chan joined the organization as VP of Own Brands sales and marketing. “Alice is an energetic and visionary leader who brings more than 16 years of proven results in the CPG industry with PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Division,” said Own […]
Posted inNew Products, Health & Wellness, Marketing News, Perishables, Suppliers, West
Kite Hill Launches Two New Plant-Based Platforms
Kite Hill, a San Francisco Bay Area plant-based food company, recently launched two new products, including a line of coconut milk-based yogurts and a plant-based sour cream. “Kite Hill is an amazing brand with a really strong and loyal following that continues to grow every day,” said Rob Leibowitz, CEO. “Our passionate consumers and retail partners […]
Posted inDeli News, Food Service News, Home Page Slider, Perishables, Produce News, Suppliers, West
Calavo Growers’ Renaissance Food Group To Acquire Simply Fresh Fruit
Calavo Growers Inc.’s Renaissance Food Group (RFG) subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SFFI Co. Inc. doing business as Simply Fresh Fruit (SFFI). Founded in 1999 and based in Vernon, California, privately held SFFI is a processor and supplier of a broad line of fresh-cut fruit, principally serving the foodservice and hospitality markets […]
Posted inPackaging News, Center Store, Home Page Slider, Midwest, New Products, Suppliers
Honey Bunches Of Oats Launches New Frosted Cereal, Whimsical Ads
The Honey Bunches of Oats brand has expanded its lineup to include the new Honey Bunches of Oats Frosted cereal. The new cereal medley adds a frosty layer of sweetness to Honey Bunches of Oats flakes, which are then paired with the brand’s granola bunches. “The Honey Bunches of Oats brand is known for delicious […]
Posted inFood City, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Nonfood Items, Southeast
Food City Recognizes 100-Plus Associates For Volunteerism
Through its Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program, Abingdon, Virginia-based Food City recently recognized more than 100 associates for their volunteerism. “As a company, we strive to maintain a high level of dedication to service, quality, value and community involvement, while providing a work environment that enables our associates to grow both personally and professionally […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Association News, Corporate Store News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, National
FMI—The Food Industry Association Celebrates Six Industry Leaders
FMI—The Food Industry Association honored six industry leaders with its 2020 Executive Leadership Awards at its Midwinter Executive Conference. The six were recognized for elevating the food industry through their investments in talent, the customer and for transforming the business environment. “The food industry is a people business; in our operations, there are three necessary […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, Perishables, Snacks Brands, West
Hass Avocado Board Offers New Category Market Development Tool
A new Avocado Category Market Development Tool just released by the Hass Avocado Board is designed to help retailers and industry stakeholders identify, quantify and prioritize potential market-level opportunities for 45 markets. Each market has a unique profile, which varies significantly by population, category development and other measures using a multi-metric model approach to reviewing […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, National, Shelby Signature Content, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
2020 Will Be A Year Of Innovation For Mars Wrigley Brands
Mars Wrigley showcased some of its innovations for a number of its iconic brands at the recent 2019 NACS Show in Atlanta. Shaf Lalani, VP of strategic demand leadership, said 2020 will be a big year for Mars Wrigley, with M&M’s Fudge Brownie being its largest launch. “You’re probably familiar with the caramel launch we […]
Posted inBeverage News, C-Store News, Food Service News, Home Page Slider, Snacks Brands, Southwest
7-Eleven Inc. To Acquire Independently Operated 7-Eleven Stores In Oklahoma
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. has entered in an agreement to acquire “7‑Eleven Stores” of central Oklahoma, which includes more than 100 7-Eleven-branded locations that have been operating independently for 67 years. The transaction is anticipated to close in 60-90 days, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals. All of the stores being acquired are located […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Executive News, Home Page Slider, National, Shelby Signature Content
Johnston Retiring As Shelby Publishing’s Longtime President, Publisher
Shelby Publishing Co. President and Publisher C. Ronald “Ron” Johnston will close out his highly successful career at the Gainesville, Georgia-based company on Jan. 31, 2020. Johnston will have spent a total of 38 years with Shelby when he retires. He joined Shelby Publishing in 1977 as editor. Though he eventually moved to the advertising […]