In order to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, all Big Y Supermarkets donated proceeds from their October initiative “Partners of Hope” to 32 local breast cancer support groups throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. This program reflects the partnership, commitment and support of breast cancer awareness and research that are so vital for many. […]
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 inMarketing News, Southeast
Acosta Group To Align Collective Of Agencies To Lead In New Era Of Commerce
Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta has launched Acosta Group, a new unified brand for the company, aligning its omnichannel retail, marketing and foodservice agencies to provide seamless access to the company’s end-to-end solutions. This builds on the company’s transformation and strategic investments over the past three years to position Acosta Group as a leading driver of sales growth […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Begins 100 Million Meals Challenge To Fight Hunger
Food insecurity will also be major focus of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend in July at Iowa Speedway Hy-Vee has begun its newest initiative to help fight hunger across its eight-state region. The supermarket chain’s major campaign will continue through the end of the year to provide 100 million meals to the Feeding America network of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Expo Hall Opened With Over 300 Exhibitors At 2023 NGA Show
The 2023 NGA Show, the premier tradeshow for the independent supermarket industry, opened Day 2 on Feb. 27 with more than 300 exhibitors and sponsors showcasing products and services in the expo hall at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. With more than 40 educational sessions and over 100 speakers discussing the most […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Karli West of Macey’s Crowned Best Bagger Champion At 2023 NGA Show
The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent grocery industry, presented a $10,000 cash prize to Karli West of Macey’s in Utah after being crowned the winner Monday night of the annual Best Bagger Championship. The contest, sponsored by PepsiCo, was held on the second day of The NGA Show, which brings together independent retailers and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Brindle, Strack Honored At NGA Show
Ideal Market receives community service award The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent grocery industry, recognized Rick Brindle and Jeff Strack with two of its highest honors at the NGA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ideal Market also was presented with the Peter J. Larkin Community Service Award. Brindle, an NGA board […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Renfroe’s Market Offers Customers ‘Best Shopping Experience’
Renfroe’s Market, based in Montgomery, Alabama, focuses on providing great customer service. Rob Renfroe, VP of Renfroe’s Market, said that may sound cliché but it is one thing that sets the company apart. “We still operate with the idea that each customer should be greeted when they enter the store, while shopping and upon checkout,” […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
AGA, Auburn University Partner On Economic Impact Study
The Alabama Grocers Association partnered with Auburn University in 2022 to conduct an economic impact study of the grocery industry in the state. Total grocery industry employment is more than half a million people, with an annual payroll of over $2.5 billion, said Ellie Taylor, president of AGA. Total state tax revenues are more than $1.1 […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Elevating The In-Store Experience
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs “Every experience makes you grow.” – Anonymous That’s applicable for independent grocers on multiple levels. The experience you deliver in your stores can be the difference between a one-time shopper and a lifetime customer. That experience can help you grow as a business, and it […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Independent Grocer Most Enjoys ‘Creating New Niches’ For Customers
Red’s Hometown Market IGA also features craft brewery, barbecue eatery and coffee shop Patrick Longmire, owner of Red’s Hometown Market IGA in Spring Grove, Minnesota, grew up in the grocery business. His parents purchased a small grocery store and bar in 1953 in St. Joseph, Wisconsin. They sold that business in 1963, then opened a […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Home Page Latest News, National
The Shelby-Griffin Report Seeks Nominations For ‘Women Of Influence’ Program
The Shelby-Griffin Report is seeking nominations of female trendsetters for its 18th annual “Women of Influence in the Food Industry” recognition program. Nominations may be made for up to three women working in the food industry who deserve to be included in this popular feature. To qualify for inclusion, a woman must possess a superior […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
New Year, Ongoing Challenges For Grocers Across Pine Tree State
MGFPA director: Rising costs ‘continue to make for a taxing time to be in business’ While the economy in Maine continues to be challenging, the state entered the new year with a more than $280 million budget surplus, according to Christine Cummings, executive director of the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association. While this is […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Economy In New Mexico Has Made ‘Major Improvement’ Over Past Year
While New Mexico’s economy is not bad, it’s also not very strong, according to Breck Stewart, executive director of the New Mexico Grocers Association. Stewart also is an independent grocer in Albuquerque. “Our unemployment percentage is pretty good in the state, but it seems that most businesses have ‘help wanted’ signs posted. The supply chain […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Brackett’s Market Focuses On Personalized Customer Service
Owner credits employees for store’s success in downtown Bath Bath, Maine is a coastal town of some 8,700 people located about 40 miles north of Portland. “Or as we always like to say, we’re 20 minutes north of L.L. Bean, because everybody knows L.L. Bean,” said Kimberly Brackett, co-owner and VP of Brackett’s Market. Located […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
National Grocers Association Reveals 2023 Creative Choice Award Winners
Industry expert Meg Major returning as award host during The NGA Show, Feb. 26-28 The National Grocers Association, along with sponsoring partners The Kellogg Co. and Unilever, have revealed the winners of their annual Creative Choice Awards, which honors and recognizes the best marketing and merchandising programs in the grocery industry. Winners of the Creative Choice […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Grocers Association Pursuing Productive Legislative Session
Official says budget surplus has ‘a lot of folks asking for a lot of things’ Minnesota began 2023 with a projected state budget surplus of more than $17 billion, according to Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “A lot of people have a lot of ideas how to spend the money,” she said. […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National
Are You In Compliance With USDA Beef Grinding Requirements?
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Existing regulations from USDA-FSIS require that all facilities that grind beef, including retail establishments like supermarkets, maintain records regarding the source materials. Records must also indicate cleaning and sanitation practices. Although this rule has been around for more than seven years, FSIS still finds retailers […]
Posted inFeature, Association News, National
Execs Discuss Six Imperative Issues Facing Food Industry
“Navigating the Realities of Imperative Business Issues” was the topic of an executive roundtable industry discussion at the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, Florida. The FMI board of directors and key committees, along with FMI partner Oliver Wyman, have identified the most significant issues keeping food executives up at night. Mark Baum, FMI […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Feature, Southeast
SEG Chief Shares Keys To Weathering Industry Storms
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Southeastern Grocers President and CEO Anthony Hucker referenced the quote from Winston Churchill during his remarks at the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, Florida. Hucker shared photos from Mexico Beach, Florida, after Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 5 storm in October 2018. He noted […]
Posted inH-E-B, Innovator of the Year, Southwest
H-E-B Design Plans For Locations Focus On Local Communities
Inviting, inspirational art greets shoppers, enhances stores’ identities When H-E-B decides to locate a new store, one of its key focuses is on the local community. Input from residents is important in the overall design and another reason the grocer is The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s Innovator of the Year. In terms of design […]