Laurel Grocery Co. is a 100-year-old, family-owned and operated company. That family dynamic is extended to its employees, as well. Being considered family by an employer goes a long way in retention, as evidenced by the number of longtime workers at the wholesaler. That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Chairman and CEO Winston Griffin. “We have […]
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, Home Page Latest News, West
Wyoming ‘In Pretty Good Shape’ For Businesses
Wyoming remains a “great, great state to be operating in and having businesses,” according to Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association & Convenience Store Association. The state, which hasn’t seen a large population growth since the last Census, has “an amazing regulatory environment, where taxes remain low and operational costs […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Laurel Grocery Co., Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery, IGA Assist Independent Retailers
Laurel Grocery Co., The Shelby Report’s Wholesaler of the Year for its Midwest and Southeast regions, and the Independent Grocers Allliance have a decades-long history of partnership. The Kentucky-based wholesaler has been one of IGA’s nine licensed distributors since 1999. “What I love about Laurel is they are truly a family business that supports family […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Pride Comes From Way Laurel Grocery Is Run
Laurel Grocery Co. is laser-focused on customer service. That is one of the reasons Kip Faulhaber, president of Laurel Retail and SVP of marketing and merchandising at Laurel Grocery, has enjoyed his almost 10 years with the company. “The pride comes from the simplicity of the way the company is run,” he said. “There’s nothing […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Industry Veteran Ridenour Receives NGA Industry Service Award
The National Grocers Association presented Michael Ridenour, former Kraft Heinz Co. head of industry relations and sale operations, with NGA’s Industry Service Award. Presented Oct. 25 during NGA’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit, the award is bestowed upon an individual or company whose years of service in the food industry have contributed to better […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Executive Conference And Public Policy Summit Opens In Washington, D.C.
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The National Grocers Association opened its 2022 NGA Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit on Monday, Oct. 24, with more than 200 grocery executives from retailer, wholesaler and supplier companies in attendance. In addition to nearly 20 educational sessions with industry experts and analysts, Federal […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independent Grocers And Family Caregiving
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director of Communications and External Affairs Caring for the family is an all-encompassing task, often extending to multiple generations in the ever-evolving American household. Consumers facing this responsibility look to their neighborhood grocer for guidance on meals, medicine and other life comforts. How can independent grocers better prepare themselves to […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Women Grocers Of America Hold Inaugural Executive Female Leaders Network Meeting
The Women Grocers of America (WGA) held its first convening of the new Executive Female Leaders Network (EXFL), a professional peer group that is designed for female executives in the independent grocery industry, held in Washington, D.C., ahead of the NGA Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. Created by […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel’s Mission, Messaging Remain Rooted In ‘Think Retail’
Laurel Grocery Co.’s philosophy is “Think Retail,” which channels the sentiment from a statement on the original order guides from 1922: “A successful business is a business that helps others succeed.” Laurel’s mission was to help smaller, privately-owned businesses thrive against chain grocery stores. A hundred years later, that mission continues today. And it’s among […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery Marks Century Of Serving Independents
Laurel Grocery Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022 and has been named The Shelby Report’s Wholesaler of the Year for its Midwest and Southeast regions. Winston Griffin, chairman and CEO of the London, Kentucky-based wholesaler – and G.W. Sr.’s grandson – shared some of the company’s history with The Shelby Report. “It all […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Father, Daughter Working Together To Expand Maurer’s Market
Jeff and Kristie Maurer, father and daughter, are independent grocers in Wisconsin. Dad owns Maurer’s Market in Wisconsin Dells, where his daughter is the store director. He also now is a minority owner in a store – Fresh Madison Market – he opened on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Kristie Maurer is planning […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
What Independents Must Know About FSMA 204
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Food safety and transparency are paramount in the grocery industry. To that end, Section 204 of the FDA’s Food Safety and Modernization Act, requiring retailers and wholesalers to comply with traceability procedures, will soon take effect. To raise awareness about FSMA 204, NGA hosted a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Wisconsin Grocers Association Preparing 2023 Legislative Agenda
Wisconsin is experiencing some of the same economic woes as other states across the country. “We have record high unemployment. We have members who continue to experience supply chain issues and getting products in inventory,” said Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “We still have high demand from consumers, but their […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independent Grocers Play A Vital Role In The Health Of The Nation
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Independent retailers are a key partner on the path to ending hunger and supporting heathy diets. Retailers are community economic hubs that support community revitalization and growth. NGA members care deeply about their communities and as such have worked hard to increase access to healthy […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Anticipation Building For Produce Industry’s Largest Gathering
The Global Produce and Floral Show will be the first time for the industry to come together under the new International Fresh Produce Association. Scheduled for Oct. 27-29 in Orlando, Florida, it will be the largest gathering of the year for the global produce and floral supply chain to connect and do business, according to […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
The Shopper’s Journey To Health And Wellness
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Consumers are increasingly concerned with being healthy, and at the grocery store, health and wellness means more than food and nutrition. Often built around an in-store pharmacy, health and wellness at the supermarket can include over-the-counter remedies, vitamins, nutritional supplements and other products designed to […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Focused On ‘Advocating And Guiding’ With Unified Voice
The International Fresh Produce Association was launched Jan. 1 to bring a unified voice to the global produce industry. “United Fresh and PMA came together,” said Cathy Burns, CEO of the IFPA. “We established a new brand, a new vision, which is to bring the global produce industry together to create a vibrant future for […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, National
Food Retailers Pursuing Strategic Differentiation Strategies
Despite a challenging year marked by a persisting pandemic, historic inflation, supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages, the food industry is making significant investments to meet shoppers’ evolving tastes. That’s the assessment of FMI – The Food Industry Association’s annual comprehensive research report, The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2022. The survey found that food retailers […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, West
Stater Bros. Markets Promotes McNiff To COO
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets has promoted Greg McNiff to chief operating officer, effective immediately. In this position, he will lead the company’s marketing, retail and distribution departments and report to CEO Pete Van Helden. In addition to his new role as COO, McNiff will remain as the company’s president and continue to serve […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
UNFI, Symbotic To Implement Warehouse Automation Systems
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods and Symbotic have entered into a commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s A.I.-powered robotics and software automation in five of UNFI’s distribution centers over the next four years. Under the agreement, UNFI also has an option to put Symbotic’s warehouse automation systems in additional distribution centers. Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, […]