During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies had to figure out how to connect remotely, network in new ways and attempt to conduct business during an unprecedented time. Van’s Kitchen, based out of Dallas, Texas, was among the many businesses that had to quickly adjust. The 36-year-old company is a minority-, women- and family-owned and -operated business. Theresa […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Feature, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Snowfox, YO! Finds Success With Sushi In Supermarkets
The Shelby Report recently caught up with Richard Hodgson, group CEO of Snowfox Group, and Stacy Kwon, president of Snowfox | JFE Franchising, to chat about its new sushi products. The two companies merged in 2019. The Snowfox Group includes Snowfox (JFE), YO!, Bento and Taiko. Snowfox, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the […]
Posted inBakery News, Amazon Fresh, Feature, Market Profile, Southwest, Whole Foods
Einstein Brothers Bagels Expanding Into Retail Locations
Einstein Brothers Bagels found success in its restaurant concept, with more than 1,000 across the country. Now, it is looking to expand into retail to give its customers better access to the brand. Andrew Heald, director of sales for the Lakewood, Colorado-based company, recently sat down with The Shelby Report to share some of the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
As AGRMA Can Attest, Independents In Arkansas ‘Alive And Well’
The independent grocer is “alive and well” in Arkansas, according to Steve Goode, president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association. Recent years have shown that “independent retailers have the ability to adapt and overcome almost any situation.” He said independents were able to overcome COVID, supply and transportation issues in the past three […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Panel Discusses Labor Challenges In Today’s Job Market
How do grocers attract employees and future leaders in today’s challenging job market? Those were the among the topics of a panel discussion at the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention in Orlando, Florida. The inspiration for the panel came from a presentation at an NGA board meeting. GFIA President Kathy Kuzava listened to economist […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
GFIA Posts Record Attendance For Popular Annual Conference
More than 900 people attended the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention, held in Orlando, Florida. The majority of those were retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, according to GFIA President Kathy Kuzava. She cited several highlights of the annual conference: Teross Young, VP of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs for Ahold Delhaize USA, received GFIA’s 2022 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Hometown Foods Serving Waterloo, Tiny Town Of Traer
Jill and Doug Eilderts both had backgrounds in the grocery industry before deciding to buy their first Hometown Foods store in Waterloo, Iowa, in May 2019. In September 2020, they acquired a second store in nearby Traer. Jill Eilderts has worked at the Waterloo store for 35 years, starting off as a cashier when she […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]