Indiana grocery and convenience retailers are facing mounting pressure from state tax policies, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program restrictions and transportation regulations, according to Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association. Lackey said while the state is financially stronger this year – “they’re suddenly finding money all kinds of places” – legislators […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
For ‘Experience-Based Retailer’ Food City, Every Element Of Store Matters
Walk into a Food City store and the first thing you see is a thank-you note. A tribute to the town – whatever one it happens to be – right there in the lobby, where the company has made a habit of saying thank you to the community before asking anything of it. “I just […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City Growth Brings ‘Fun Challenge’ Of Managing Distribution, Culture
When an ice storm hits and the news tells everyone to stay home, Greg Sparks knows exactly what happens next. “Our drivers are out there,” he said. That mindset – part duty, part pride – helps explain why Food City is The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s 2026 Retailer of the Year. Having served friends […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City CEO Reflects On Legacy, Growth, Art Of Running Best Store In Town
Having served friends and neighbors for more than 100 years, Food City is proud to be locally owned and operated. With 164 retail outlets spanning five states, the company’s dedicated team of more than 19,200 associates is committed to the mission it was founded upon: to “run the best store in town.” That commitment to […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Featured News, News, Southeast
PWADC Food Show To Feature New Products, Education Sessions
Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. (PWADC) is heading into its May food show and aims to build on recent gains in show performance, private label, fresh and digital participation. Tod Seiling, who joined PWADC as chief merchandising officer in October 2025 after executive roles with Lidl US and Save A Lot, said the co-op has […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Featured News, Midwest, News
South Dakota Grocers Navigate Market Shifts, Trends
South Dakota’s grocery industry is settling into what Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, calls an “average year,” with consumers trading down on proteins and store brands, convenience stores grabbing more food sales and big-box retailers delivering groceries at a loss into rural communities. Sanderson told The Shelby Report that business […]
Posted inExecutive News, Anniversary Issues, Feature, Featured News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
Stewardship And Growth: Former AWG CEO Smith Reflects On Leading Through Change
As Associated Wholesale Grocers celebrates its centennial, former CEO David Smith looks back on his tenure with the perspective of a steward who sought to leave the cooperative stronger than he found it. Smith joined AWG in August 2003 as director of real estate. He stepped into the CEO role at the end of 2015, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Ohio Grocers Association’s Mullins Leaves Legacy Of Fighting The Impossible
Kristin Mullins started at the Ohio Grocers Association on April 4, 1990, as a receptionist. She is leaving as its president and CEO – and, by her own account, she’s ready. “A 36-year run – I think I’m ready for something, quite frankly, a little less demanding, a little less stressful,” she said with a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Ohio Grocers Navigate Consolidation, Rising Costs, Changing Consumer
Ohio enters 2026 as one of the nation’s most economically competitive states, though a mix of national headwinds and shifting federal policy creates uncertainty in the year ahead. The state’s gross domestic product reached $979 billion in the third quarter of 2025 – the highest on record, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Featured News, Midwest
Lipari Foods Debuts Global Strategy At ‘Passport To Flavor’ Event
Lipari Foods marked its largest-ever trade show March 25 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, welcoming 11,000 retailers under the theme “Passport to Flavor” as the company unveiled a comprehensive rebrand centered on global foods. The event featured about 750 booths with 13,000 items on display, 1,300 of which were new to Lipari’s […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Southwest
Market Street To Host Annual ‘Special Events’ Expo At NM Locations
Market Street will hold its annual Special Events Expo from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. March 29 at all New Mexico locations The expo gives shoppers the chance to preview and sample items available for special occasions, including weddings, baby showers and graduation parties. Offerings at the expo will span several departments, including bakery, food service and market. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Anniversary Issues, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Feature, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
AWG’s Cooperative Strength Positions Independent Grocers For Future
As Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, the cooperative is reflecting on a century defined by independent spirit, shared success and an unwavering commitment to its members – while keeping its focus firmly on what comes next. Founded in 1926 by a group of independent grocers who believed they were stronger […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, National
National Rural Grocery Summit Focusing On Innovation
The National Rural Grocery Summit will be held May 5-7 in Fargo, North Dakota. The event was created by the Rural Grocery Initiative out of Kansas State University, with the first summit held in 2008 in Kansas. Since then, the summit has grown to attract rural grocers, community leaders, food suppliers, academic researchers, healthy food […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocers Grappling With General Sense Of Unease, Labor Costs
Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, responded to questions from The Shelby Report of the Midwest about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. How would you characterize the overall health of the grocery industry in Nebraska right now, and what are the key factors driving performance in 2026? I […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Independent Grocers Face Pricing Pressures, Rural Store Closures In ND
Independent grocers across North Dakota face mounting pressure from several directions, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “Independent grocers are being squeezed by big-box stores and food manufacturers,” Dyste said. “Unfair pricing is the main problem driving consumers to big-box stores.” The challenges come as North Dakota’s economy undergoes […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Home Page Latest News, National
Nominations Accepted For Shelby’s Women Of Influence Program
The Shelby-Griffin Report is seeking nominations for its Women of Influence in the Food Industry recognition program. Honorees will be highlighted by region in the May editions. To qualify for inclusion, a woman must possess a high level of dedication and professionalism in the industry. She exhibits tenacity and has strong leadership skills, which may […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Minnesota Retailers Face Mounting Pressures Despite Strength Of Independent Network
Minnesota maintains one of the nation’s strongest independent grocery networks, but increased government mandates driving up costs, stagnant population growth and a shrinking workforce are creating significant headwinds for retailers across the state, according to Patrick Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “There’s a lot of pressure on those individual stores,” he said. “We’re […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, News, Southeast
Retailers Embrace PWADC ‘Savings In A SNAP’ Digital Program
With grocery costs continuing to rise and uncertainty surrounding federal nutrition assistance programs, Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company has rolled out an innovative coupon initiative designed to help consumers stretch their food budgets further. Launched Nov. 1, the Savings in a SNAP digital program focuses on staple items like eggs, milk, potatoes, pasta, tuna and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, H-E-B, News, Retailer of the Year, Southwest
H-E-B Celebrates Leadership, Milestones
Over its storied 120-year history, H-E-B has become synonymous with the grocery industry in Texas. And it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year continues to expand into the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as other areas of the Lone Star State, and remains […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, H-E-B, News, Retailer of the Year, Southwest
H-E-B Celebrates Expansion, Growth In Texas
Over its storied 120-year history, H-E-B has become synonymous with the grocery industry in Texas. And it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year continues to expand into the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as other areas of the Lone Star State, and remains […]