by Christopher Greco / President and CEO, Storewise Recent narratives about the supermarket industry are painting an unnecessarily pessimistic picture of the future for supermarkets. The industry is changing, and smaller stores have seen a marginal dip in market share. But that’s only half of the story, and not the most exciting half. Instead of […]
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 inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Workforce Top Issue Facing Employers In Iowa As Economy Improves
A second-quarter Economic Outlook Survey by the Iowa Business Council reports a “strong confidence” in the state’s economy. This represents an increase in optimism across all areas measured by the IBC compared to results from the previous quarter. The report measures member expectations for sales, capital spending and employment for the next six months. The […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Report: Massachusetts’ Economy Sending Mixed Messages
Massachusetts’ economy appears to be slowing, according to a review of data in May by the MassBenchmarks Board, which also noted a number of growing concerns for 2023, along with some better-than-expected news in payroll, employment and demographics. MassBenchmarks is an initiative of the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Unveils Online Toolkit To Help Independents Accept Healthy Benefit Cards
Healthy benefit cards, offered by some private health insurers and Medicare Advantage plans, provide a convenient way for eligible individuals to purchase groceries and over-the-counter drugs using their healthcare benefit. More than 30 million Americans are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs, and at least 5 million participants are currently receiving hundreds of dollars on […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Landcastle Joins NGA As PAC Coordinator
Wengroff promoted to manager of government relations and membership The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, has hired Julia Landcastle as its coordinator of political and government relations. Additionally, NGA has promoted Max Wengroff to manager of government relations and membership. Landcastle recently moved to the Washington, D.C., area after […]
Posted inDeli News, Feature, West
FreshRealm Focused On Ready-To-Go Meal Solutions
San Clemente, California-based FreshRealm offers fresh meal solutions that range from ready-to-heat items to low-effort meal kits and ready-to-cook products. Michael Lippold, founder and CEO, talked with The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves on the floor of the recent IDDBA Show in Anaheim, California. “We’re a platform that allows retailers to enter the category, grow the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Gary’s Foods Going Strong Under Second, Third Generations
Owner credits success to connection with ‘longtime, loyal customers’ Gary’s Foods in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a family-owned independent grocery store, operated today by the second and third generations. Denny Dietrich and son, Peter, run the store, which was started in 1971 by Denny’s father, Gary, and a partner, Dave Rank. The two had worked […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Real Food Market & Deli Works On ‘Building Community’ In Helena, MT
Laughing Water, owner and general manager of Real Food Store Inc., dba Real Food Market & Deli in Helena, Montana, does not have a traditional grocery industry background. He started practicing yoga at age 13. A Presidential Scholar in high school, he earned a degree in philosophy and psychology at MIT. His graduate studies took […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
LRA Backed Measures To Streamline Tax Remittance, Reduce Retail Crime
Executive director: Law enforcement needs to ‘have discretion to make arrests’ where necessary The Louisiana Retailers Association (LRA) supported legislation this year to benefit its members, according to Jessica Elliott, executive director. Two of the bills – HB 558 and SB 54 – were passed and have been signed into law by Gov. John Bel […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Hi Nabor Maintains Family Legacy, Close Ties With AGBR
Hi Nabor, a three-store grocery chain in the greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, is growing. Two new stores are planned, with property purchased for one of the locations. Founded by Sam Crifasi on Jan. 1, 1963, Hi Nabor converted to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 2020. President Jim Crifasi, one of Sam’s nine children, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
MFDA President: Montana’s Economy Stronger In ‘23
At the end of fiscal year 2022, Montana saw a 39 percent increase in collections from its top seven taxes. Through the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, those same taxes had produced 3 percent less, according to the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. Most of the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Treppendahl’s Super Foods Grateful For AGBR
Wettlin Treppendahl Jr., owner of Treppendahl’s Super Foods in Woodville, Mississippi, has been a member of Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge (AGBR) since 1988. And he is quick to credit the wholesaler for helping him keep up with industry technology. He described the company as “the next best thing since sliced bread,” adding that […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Rouses Markets Has Plans For New Stores, Remodels
Rouses Markets, based in Schriever, Louisiana, is staying busy and growing, according to CEO Donny Rouse. The family-owned grocer has announced plans for two new stores in Mississippi – Biloxi and Picayune – and a replacement store for its original location in Houma, Louisiana, is scheduled to open in the middle of August. The remodel […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Engage Series Store Operations Summit Impresses Attendees
Nearly 100 operations-focused grocery leaders came away with actionable insights and first-hand perspectives from the Store Operations Summit, the latest signature event in the National Grocers Association’s Engage Series. Designed for store leaders who are focused on store operations and merchandising, the summit was held July 24-26 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Corner Market Stands Out By Putting ‘People Over Profits’
Corner Market in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, stands out from its competitors in several ways, primarily by putting “people over profits.” According to VP of Fresh Price Mabry, the Roberts family – owners of the company – takes pride in caring for employees. “They’re the most generous family you will ever meet…you can ask anybody, from our […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Student Case Study Competition: Leveraging Emerging Leaders
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Employee recruitment and retention remains a top issue facing the independent retail industry. According to many industry and academic research studies, at least 58 percent of U.S. retailers said that over the past two years, they have experienced hiring challenges that have negatively impacted their […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Southwest
Brown’s Children Reflect On Father’s Historic Career
Courtney Brown and Ava Brown Shell grew up working in their father’s grocery store in Bixby, Oklahoma. Courtney now is CEO of Doc’s Food Stores Inc. while Ava comes in to help when needed. And her husband, Jake Shell, is center store director. Courtney and Ava were pleased to talk with The Shelby Report about […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Market Profile, Southeast
Service, Support Setting AGBR Apart
Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge (AGBR) has a close relationship with its more than 180 independent retailers spanning the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas regions, offering them a “complete support system.” “We pride ourselves on service, which sets us apart from our competitors,” said Pete Tortorich, VP of retail operations – business development and […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
Brown Credits Success To Lessons Learned From Father
Jim Brown, owner of Doc’s Food Stores, headquartered in Bixby, Oklahoma, has been inducted into Shelby Publishing’s Food Industry Hall of Fame. Brown has been working in the grocery business since he was knee-high. His father, Roy “Doc” Brown, owned and operated a grocery store in Bixby after moving to the small town just outside […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
North Padre Residents Find Local Option At Island Market IGA
When Island Market IGA opened in January 2021 on North Padre Island, just outside of Corpus Christi, Texas, it became the only grocer. The family-owned and -operated independent retailer is a resource for residents, who previously had to travel about seven miles off the island to the nearest grocery store. Josh Meadows and his wife, […]