Fourth-generation South Dakota grocer RF Buche has a passion for retail but an even greater passion for helping people. That sentiment stems from a lesson he learned at age 7 from his father. While helping out in the store, he saw his dad quietly slip some cash to a mother in the checkout line who […]
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 inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Feature, National, News
Consumer Spending Shifts In Meat, Seafood, Poultry Amid Economic Uncertainty
The grocery industry has faced significant changes in consumer purchasing habits due to economic fluctuations such as inflation and shifting concerns over tariffs and unemployment. Anne-Marie Roerink, principal at 210 Analytics, shared her insights on how these factors have influenced the meat, seafood and poultry markets. Inflation, consumer behavior Roerink noted a shift toward home-cooked […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Tony O’s Focuses on Perishables, Community In North Kingsville, OH
Tony Orlando, owner of Tony O’s Supermarket & Catering in North Kingsville, Ohio, turned damage from a fire into an opportunity for renewal, all while navigating the challenges facing independent grocers. In 2023, a blaze at a neighboring business forced Tony O’s to close for three and a half months due to smoke damage. “It […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocery Industry – Particularly Independents – Struggling In Ohio
Ohio’s economy in 2024 presented a mixed bag of progress and challenges, setting the stage for a potentially evolving grocery landscape in 2025. The state’s grocery economy experienced a downward trend in 2024, as “SNAP benefits decreased, prices for all things (not just groceries) went up, labor challenges continued and more food deserts were created […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Donates 14.8M Meals During Annual Orange Bag Campaign
Food Lion Feeds’ seventh annual Orange Bag campaign, in collaboration with customers, provided the equivalent of more than 14.8 million meals to address food insecurity. The campaign, which ran from Feb. 26-March 18, benefits Feeding America and local partner food banks throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. Through this initiative, customers help address food insecurity […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast
Dollar Tree Selling Family Dollar Business For $1B To Brigade, Macellum
Dollar Tree has reached an agreement to sell its Family Dollar business for $1 billion to Brigade Capital Management LP and Macellum Capital Management LLC. After a review of potential alternatives, the Dollar Tree leadership team and board of directors determined that a sale of Family Dollar to Brigade and Macellum offered the best value […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Hometown Market Committed To Community, Family Connection
Independent grocery stores play a vital role in rural communities, but inflation, competition from big-box retailers and other challenges are putting increasing pressure on their operations. Blake Schwartz, owner of Hometown Market in St. Paul, Nebraska, said labor issues specifically are greatly impacting independents in his state. With Nebraska’s minimum wage set to rise to […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Leading With Culture Of ‘Whispering Pines’
by Steve Black We’ve lived in the Rocky Mountains for the last 10 years. As we spend more time in the High Country – and when I go on my daily walks or sit out on the deck enjoying the views of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains and the sea of green pine trees stretching as […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocery Industry Faces Challenges, Opportunities Amid Economic Shifts
Nebraska’s grocery industry is at a crossroads as economic conditions shift and legislative policies evolve. Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, highlighted for The Shelby Report key concerns facing independent grocers, including competition from dollar stores, rising labor costs and wholesale pricing challenges. Nebraska’s economy is experiencing modest growth, influenced by […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Amid Mounting Issues, Nebraska Legislation Seeks To Support Rural Independent Grocers
Nebraska’s rural grocery stores are facing increasing financial and logistical hurdles, but new legislative efforts seek to provide targeted support to sustain these essential businesses. Carlie Jonas, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, has been involved in addressing these challenges. “We worked with one of the senators, Teresa Ibach, at […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
CFCU Honors Late EVP With $250K Gift To WAFC
Certified Federal Credit Union (CFCU) recently made a $250,000 donation to the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) in memory of the late Donna Simpson, who had been the company’s EVP and COO. The CFCU said it wanted to leave a legacy with WAFC because Simpson had been a longtime supporter of the organization and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Feature, Northeast
Northeast Grocers Tailor Strategies For Latino Customers
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder, principal consultant, PDG Insights In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Spending power among this diverse […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Corporate Store News, National
Grocery Industry Faces Inflation, Tariff Uncertainty, FMI Reports
The grocery industry is grappling with many challenges, including inflation and the threat of tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s 2025 Inflation & Food Price Outlook. Andrew Harig, FMI’s VP of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development, highlighted the mixed signals in recent inflation data during […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Feature, West
Latinos Are Driving Retail Force Across West
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder, principal consultant, PDG Insights In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Spending power among this […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Retailer of the Year
BFS Transitioning Focus From Customer Service To Hospitality
Balls Food Stores has been recognized as The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year, an honor that celebrates the company’s dedication to innovation, community service and operational excellence. Scott Bayne, EVP of operations, attributes this recognition to the company’s forward-thinking leadership, commitment to its teammates and ongoing transformation into a teammate […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Midwest, Retailer of the Year
BFS Charts Future With Employee Ownership, Growth Initiatives
Kansas City, Kansas-based Balls Food Stores (BFS) – The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year – is embarking on an ambitious new chapter, marked by employee ownership, a strategic growth initiative and deep commitment to its teammates. The independent grocer, which operates 25 stores under the Hen House, Price Chopper, Sun […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National
NCA Names Hagedorn Board Chair, Appoints New Members
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Jerry Hagedorn, EVP for Barry Callebaut, as chair of the NCA Board of Trustees for a two-year term. Hagedorn most recently served as vice chair and will take over for departing NCA Board Chair Tony Jacobs, president of Bazooka Candy Brands. “As the confectionery industry faces unprecedented challenges and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS Unveils POS Solutions, AI Innovations At NGA Show
ECRS unveiled its latest innovations at the 2025 NGA Show, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer service in grocery retail. The Boone, North Carolina-based company demonstrated several new offerings to independent grocers attending the gathering Feb. 23-25 at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. CartCheck Bottom of Basket Detection System CartCheck is […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Private Label Brands
PLMA Announces 2025 Show Theme: ‘Store Brands Marketplace’
“Store Brands Marketplace” is the 2025 theme for PLMA’s Annual Private Label Trade Show, scheduled for Nov. 16-18 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. The announcement comes at a time of record-setting sales for the store brands industry. In 2024, private label sales reached $271 billion, an increase of $9 billion from […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Healthy Choice Wellness Offers Unified Rewards Program Across All Banners
Healthy Choice Wellness Corp., a holding company operating 19 natural and organic grocery stores across six states, has launched a revamped fully-integrated rewards program across all banners, offering discounts, special pricing and other promotions. “It has been widely acknowledged that strong loyalty programs increase customer engagement and retention, encouraging more frequent shopping while reducing customer […]