“It’s been a good ride.” Reflecting on his 48-year career in the grocery industry and upcoming retirement, David Smith, president and CEO of Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, said it will be the people he will miss the most – co-workers, AWG member retailers and vendors. Shelby Publishing is inducting Smith into its Food Industry […]
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 inPiggly Wiggly, Market Profile, Midwest
Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly Investing In Employee Development
Hartland, Wisconsin-based Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly was founded in 1988 by Pat and Bob Fox. Now employee-owned, the retailer added its 10th location in September 2022. Mike Olwig, president of Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly, has been with the company for nearly 17 years. When he came aboard as store director in Hartland, there were just […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Lee’s Marketplace Offers Shoppers Fun Experience
Lee’s Marketplace, headquartered in Logan, Utah, believes that grocery shopping should be a fun and enjoyable experience. In fact, that is the first line of the company’s mission statement. Jonathan Badger, president and CEO, said they try to live by that through the experience offered in their stores. “Knowing that it’s kind of a chore […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Kentucky Grocery Industry ‘Quite Strong,’ Retail Crime A ‘Huge Issue’
The state of Kentucky reported General Fund receipts for July of $1.1 billion, which was the 11th straight month that revenues surpassed the $1 billion mark. The state’s overall unemployment rate for July was 3.8 percent, which is very low historically, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
Oklahoma Grocers ‘Resilient’ In Face Of Ongoing Challenges
Oklahoma’s economy has remained fairly steady over the past year, according to Ron Edgmon, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Grocers Association. The state treasury report for August showed gross sales tax receipts up 5.1 percent over the last 12 months, although oil and gas production taxes have declined by 7.2 percent, he said. “Regional […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Communities Through ‘Score To Give More’ Program
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion Feeds is teaming up with 54 colleges and universities, including 16 women’s teams, to help feed those in need through its “Score To Give More” campaign. For each free throw made by participating schools, Food Lion Feeds will donate 100 meals to the school’s local food bank or pantry, up […]
Posted inCenter Store, Northeast
Funeral Set Nov. 10 For Giant In NE Food Industry
A funeral Mass for Leo Sutera, 90, former owner of Louise’s Ravioli, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 10 at St. Agnes Parish in Middleton, Massachusetts. Mr. Sutera, a resident of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, and Marco Island, Florida, died Nov. 4 surrounded by his family. Born Feb. 25, 1933, in the North End of Boston, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Native American-Owned FireLake Foods Aims To Be Community Partner
FireLake Foods, headquartered in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is the largest grocery store in the U.S. that is owned by a Native American tribe, according to Richard Driskell, director of retail. Citizen Potawatomi Nation opened the 84,000-square-foot store in 2001 on tribal land in Shawnee. The tribe now owns three grocery stores, two convenience stores and four […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Disappointed With New Joint Employer Rules
The National Grocers Association (NGA), the national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, issued the following statement from SVP and Counsel Chris Jones in response to the National Labor Relations Board’s new regulations on joint employer standards under the National Labor Relations Act: “This final rule considerably broadens the existing definition of a ‘joint […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NGAF Leads Charge On Produce Prescription Technology Solutions
The National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF) has wrapped up the Point of Sale Produce Prescription (PPR) Workgroup, successfully creating a core functionality document for efficient and accurate produce prescription POS solutions. This will be added to the association’s collection of resources that guide grocers seeking to offer nutrition incentives and produce prescription programs in their communities. Produce […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Snacks Brands
NCA Reports Confectionery Industry Remains Strong
The confectionery industry is as strong as it’s ever been, according to Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs and communications for the National Confectioners Association. She said consumers are eager to find ways to add a little bit of sweetness to their lives, “whether enhancing holidays, brightening celebrations or making an ordinary day extraordinary.” In […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Frozen Food, Midwest
AWG Brands Wins Golden Penguin Award At NFRA Conference
AWG Brands, the private label brands of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., was named a 2023 gold winner in the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association’s (NFRA) Golden Penguin Awards competition for Best Private Brand Campaign. During the NFRA Convention on Oct. 10 in San Diego, California, AWG Brands was awarded for having the best marketing […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, Northeast
Price Chopper/Market 32, Invafresh Strengthen Partnership To Combat Food Waste
Price Chopper/Market 32 is strengthening its partnership with fresh grocery platform Invafresh to increase sales, reduce food waste and deliver an improved experience to in-store teammates and customers in its produce, bakery, deli, meat and seafood departments. By integrating vast amounts of in-store production data into the AI-enhanced Fresh Retail Platform, Invafresh has helped Price Chopper/Market 32 […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Independent Store News, Midwest
SpartanNash Foundation Fundraiser To Help Feed Hungry Families
The seventh-annual SpartanNash Foundation fundraiser has launched to support local food pantries across the Midwest during the holiday season. Since 2016, the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company has raised more than $2 million through annual in-store fundraisers to benefit food pantry partners. In total, this contribution has provided approximately 20 million meals for people throughout the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers To Host Norman, OK Remodel Celebration Nov. 2
Natural Grocers will hold a remodel celebration Nov. 2 for its store at 1918 W. Main St. in Norman, Oklahoma, one of six it operates in the state. Community members are invited to celebrate the store’s fresh format starting at 8:27 a.m., with giveaways, sales, free samples and discounts. “The Natural Grocers good4u Crew has […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Welcomes Fed’s Proposal to Reduce Regulated Debit Rate
FMI – The Food Industry Association welcomed the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ decision in a 6-1 vote to initiate a proposed rulemaking that would reduce the regulated debit interchange rate and adjust the rate every two years consistent with data. Merchants like grocery stores are required to pay debit interchange fees to process debit card transactions. In […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
NFRA Elects 2024 Officers, Directors
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) elected its association officers and members of the board of directors for 2023-24 at its annual board meeting on Oct. 7. Neil Ritchey, VP of consumer brands with InnovAsian Cuisine Enterprises, was elected to serve as chairman of the board. Ritchey has served on the NFRA Board […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Corporate Store News, West
Albertsons Cos. Foundation Raises Nearly $6M To Combat Hunger
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos., along with the Albertsons Cos. Foundation, raised nearly $6 million through customer donations made at the register in September to help break the cycle of hunger. The donations will go to support community organizations committed to connecting qualified individuals with existing federal meal programs. Grants will be awarded in October through […]
Posted inMidwest, CERTCO Inc., Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Certco Begins Planning For Retirement Of EVP Ryman
During the Certco Inc. Board of Directors meeting in October, EVP David Ryman advised the board of his planned retirement in September of 2024. Ryman has been in the grocery industry for the past 47 years and with Certco since 2001. “Dave has been an amazing leader and championed Certco adapting as our retailers’ challenges […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Honors Members For Industry Service, Advocacy
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recognized three of its members this week for their commitment, service and political advocacy on behalf of the grocery industry. The awards were presented during the NGA Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, held Oct. 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern Food Corp., […]