Publix was founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, by George W. Jenkins (Mr. George) on the concept of community first. Executive Chairman Todd Jones said while food is the “backbone” of the company, “we wanted to make sure that we’ll take care of our customers and our communities.” Talking with Shelby Publishing President and […]
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 inAssociation News, National
FMI Midwinter Executive Conference ‘Premier Forum’ For Industry
FMI – The Food Industry Association will hold its Midwinter Executive Conference Jan. 18-21 at the JW Marriott Marco Island in Florida. Exclusive to FMI members, the conference allows attendees to come together to navigate ever-shifting currents and focus on the most critical issues affecting the industry. FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin talked with […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Feature, Independent Store News, Southeast
Kentucky New Territory For Growth Leader Publix
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix has been named Shelby Publishing’s 2023 Growth Leader. Now operating more than 1,360 stores, the employee-owned company has opened 45 new locations this year and completed more than 100 remodels. Executive Chairman Todd Jones said Publix is averaging 40-50 new stores per year. The company has recently entered a new market, Kentucky, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Wyoming Remains ‘Good Place To Do Business’
Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the U.S. in total area but is the least populated, with about 581,000 residents. It does not impose an income tax, with local governments relying heavily on property tax collections. More than 60 percent of those revenues come from mineral production. The majority of property taxes are directed […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Rouses Market, Southeast
Rouses Magazine Celebrates Food, Culture Along Gulf Coast
Rouses magazine celebrates the food and culture of the Gulf Coast. The Louisiana-based grocer’s publication marked its 10th anniversary in 2023 and continues to grow in popularity. Distributed free to customers through its stores in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, each issue is imbued with a deep love of the communities served by Rouses Markets. “Food […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
Food Retailers ‘Pivotal’ In Virginia’s Economic Resilience
Virginia’s economy has shown resilience and improvement compared to last year, according to Melissa Assalone, executive director of the Virginia Food Industry Association. “Despite ongoing challenges and a reduction in federal money coming into Virginia, there are positive economic indicators such as job growth and increased consumer spending,” she said. Assalone noted the grocery sector […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Applauds Power-Buyer Scrutiny In New Merger Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice released their final version for new merger enforcement guidelines on Dec. 18. The final guidelines include substantial revisions to the existing standards, introducing new considerations for mergers that enhance buyer power. In a significant shift, the guidelines issued strongly consider how buyer power impacts competition amongst rival […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Tops Offers Double Give Back Days For Education Program
Williamsville, New York-based Tops Friendly Markets will offer schools the chance to earn double the rewards as part of its Tops in Education Program (TIE) during January. Participants enrolled in the program will now be able to earn up to 10 percent for their school(s) during the entire month. During January, participants’ designated school(s) will […]
Posted inDairy News, Southwest
Vital Farms Celebrated As ‘Cultural Force’ On Fast Co.’s List Of Brands That Matter
Austin, Texas-based Vital Farms was named for a third consecutive year to Fast Company’s list of Brands That Matter. The annual list from the business media company recognizes brands that communicate and demonstrate purpose. Vital Farms attracts and builds trust with its consumers for the long-term through creative and compelling storytelling rooted in the company’s […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest, Retailers
Kroger, Soda Health Launch Smart Benefits Program
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., and Soda Health Inc. have launched a Smart Benefits program, combining Kroger Health’s services with Soda Health’s “&more” platform. This program allows participating Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and employer benefits program recipients to receive certain pharmacy, nutrition services and other eligible benefits at The Kroger Co.’s Family […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Produce News
EFI’s Programs Expanded To Benefit More Growers, Buyers, Farmworkers
Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is celebrating a year of progress in 2023 toward its mission to offer a full suite of supply chain assurance programs to the fresh produce industry. The group celebrated a new program launch, grew its staff and streamlined certification to make it more cost effective for growers starting in 2024. EFI […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Feature, National
IGA CEO Says Quality, Marketing Help Lift Private Label Offerings
The perception of private label or store brand products in the grocery industry has changed over the years. Many shoppers think of private labels as items that sit next to national brands on the grocery shelf but cost less. IGA President and CEO John Ross views them as “anything that you manufacture or sell to your […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Northeast
New Jersey’s Grocery Industry Strong, ‘Uber Competitive’
The economy in New Jersey is a tale of two cities, according to Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council. New Jersey was recently ranked as the most improved state for business, climbing 23 spots to 19th in America’s Top States for Business rankings by CNBC. This past year, it saw […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
Labor, Retail Crime Challenge Wisconsin Grocers
Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said the Badger State is not immune to challenges such as inflation and price increases. “It affects us just as much as everybody else.” Scholz noted the dairy industry in the state remains strong and is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. “Overall, I […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Thrifty Foods Prospers Post-Pandemic In Wheatland, WY
While Jodi Axford never imagined she would own and run a small independent grocery store in rural Wyoming, she has found a place and a purpose there. The owner of Thrifty Foods in Wheatland moved to the small town with her then-husband and two children. He had been a store manager for Cub Foods in Minnesota, […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Russ Davis Wholesale Continues Growth Trajectory
Russ Davis Wholesale is a 100 percent employee-owned produce wholesaler distributor and processor of fresh fruits and vegetables based in Wadena, Minnesota. The company was started in 1955 by Russ Davis as a one truck business. He called on local grocery stores in the lakes area of northwestern Minnesota. Since becoming employee owned in 1991, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Key Wins, Grassroots Support Highlight NGA’s Advocacy Year In Review
by Max Wengroff / NGA Coordinator, Government Relations and Membership This has been a busy year for the National Grocers Association (NGA’s) Government Relations team in Washington. We faced a torrent of new regulations from the Biden administration and, despite Congressional chaos, we managed to put some points on the board. We have faced both […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
AWG, Circana Partnership Launches Portal For Integrated Collaboration
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. and Circana (formerly IRI) teamed up in January 2022 to launch AWG Partner Gateway, a portal to enable integrated collaboration between members and their vendor partners using Circana’s Liquid Data technology. The gateway is part of AWG’s Convergence initiative. Convergence is AWG’s long-term strategy to operate as a $23 billion cooperative […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
AWG Working To Increase Efficiencies With Convergence
Technology is the top strategic investment for AWG, according to its annual report. Part of that technology investment has been in the co-op’s Convergence initiative, which is the alignment of AWG, its member stores and supply partners. Convergence brings the co-op and its members together to work on areas to scale its more than $24 […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Southeast
AWG’s All-In-One Distribution Hub First In North America
AWG’s all-in-one distribution hub in Hernando, Mississippi, has been a huge investment and massive undertaking for the company. The AIO facility is providing immediate and long-term sustainable benefits to the membership, according to AWG. The first of its kind in the U.S., and just the third such facility in the world, the AIO will replace […]