Nearly a year after they first formed a partnership that covered some stores, Publix and Instacart are gearing up to offer same-day grocery delivery to all Publix customers by 2020. Publix and Instacart began same-day grocery delivery to select customers in July 2016 via delivery.publix.com and instacart.com. Customers have embraced the service, the companies say. Publix […]
Category: Independent Store News
Siakotos Duo Chooses AWG To Supply Freshline Foods
In 1955, John Siakotos made the long journey to the U.S. from southern Greece. His uncle brought him to America so he could have a shot at a better future. Siakotos began working at his uncle’s fruit market in Chicago and his life did indeed begin to improve. As the fruit market prospered over the […]
For Wakefern’s Lane, Reinvention Is Name Of The Game
Leading procurement, marketing, logistics and technology initiatives for Wakefern Food Corp. is Chris Lane, EVP. His leadership ability at Wakefern is one reason why the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) tapped Lane to give the keynote address at its 2017 Trade Relations Conference, scheduled for today, Tuesday, June 6, from 3-6 p.m. at Harrah’s Resort […]
Pruett’s Food Opening Four New Stores In Oklahoma
Pruett’s Food will open grocery stores in Ada, Durant, Holdenville and McAlester, Oklahoma. The additions bring the company’s total store count to 10, with locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. “We’re very excited to be opening stores in these towns,” said Ray Pruett, owner and president. “We’re really looking forward to serving the communities and […]
J&J Foods Debuts Rebranded Gainesville, Georgia, Store To Big Opening Day Crowd
Local, unique and fresh. Those are the words that best describe The Market on Limestone in Gainesville, Georgia, according to President and CEO Darrell Wiley, who debuted the unit at 2500 Limestone Parkway on May 31. The store, formerly a J&J Foods, closed Memorial Day evening and reopened under its new name with a ribbon-cutting […]
J&J Foods Rebranding One Of Its Stores In Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia’s J&J Foods is rebranding one of its stores. The unit at 2500 Limestone Parkway will become The Market on Limestone. A ribbon cutting and open house will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. Emily J. Wiley, J&J’s purchasing director, tells The Shelby Report via email that, after closing Memorial Day evening, […]
Bashas’ Names 13 Finalists In Donut Flavor Contest
Thirteen kid and teen finalists have been named in Bashas’ Supermarkets’ second annual Donut Flavor Craze Contest. After reviewing more than 100 entries, a team of judges whittled down the field to the 13 finalists–a baker’s dozen. The judges weighed creativity, flavor combination and individuality to choose the finalists. The kids and teens ages 6 to […]
Eight Associated Food Stores Pies Win Blue Ribbons In National Pie Championships
Red Button Vintage Creamery premium pies and Beehive Bread & Pastry pies have added blue ribbons to the list of accolades the sweet treats have received. Both pie varieties from Utah’s Associated Food Stores were recognized as the best offerings in several categories at the National Pie Championships in Orlando, Florida, this month. Varieties from […]
AWG Partners With RangeMe To Scale Growth Across All Categories
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is partnering with RangeMe, an online platform that streamlines new product discovery between product suppliers and retailers, to scale its retail buying efforts for general merchandise, health and beauty and specialty, natural and organic items for all of its members. “The technology and vendor interfacing that RangeMe provides will benefit our members and […]
Independents Benefit From Michigan Good Food Fund Investments
Six food enterprises in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Southeast Michigan and the Upper Peninsula have received financing from the Michigan Good Food Fund, marking more than $10.5 million in investments since its launch two years ago. The $30 million fund was created to finance projects that increase healthy food access and spur economic opportunity in underserved […]
Chicago’s Food Market La Chiquita Joins AWG
Alfredo Linares’ first major life change happened in 1964 when he and his family ventured from a small town in Mexico to Chicago, Illinois. He was 9 years old at the time, and it was a true culture shock. He was struck by the many different nationalities that live there, the cold and the snow. […]
Festival Foods To Purchase Two Pierce’s Marketplace Stores In Wisconsin
Festival Foods plans to purchase two Pierce’s Marketplace stores in Baraboo and Portage, Wisconsin, from Angie and Dave Pierce. The Pierce family operates a third Pierce’s Market in Muscoda. Festival Foods, which operates 26 other locations across the state, expects to begin operations June 20 under the Festival Foods banner. Mark Skogen, president and CEO […]
Grocery Biz ‘Not For The Faint Of Heart’: Independent Sales Down From Prior Year
FMS Solutions and the National Grocers Association (NGA) have released their annual “Independent Grocers Financial Survey,” the latest edition covering fiscal year 2016. The study, now in its 12th year, found independent grocers reported that their sales were down 1.62 percent in 2016 compared to 2015. Food-at-home deflation across all categories, especially in meat and […]
GF Buche Co. Promotes McFayden To Operations Manager
Chris McFayden has been promoted to operations manager for GF Buche Co. He replaces Gregg Drees, who recently retired from the South Dakota grocery chain. McFayden started at the Gregory Buche Foods in 1996 as a carryout and quickly rose up the ranks to store supervisor. From there, he was promoted to store manager of the Gus […]
Hy-Vee Guarantees 100 Percent Of Its Sushi From Responsible Sources
Hy-Vee Inc. has successfully transitioned 100 percent of its sushi to responsible sources. The supermarket chain guarantees that all sushi prepared and sold in its 244 Midwestern stores, including Hy-Vee Market Grille restaurants, will now contain seafood that is caught in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. According to its recently updated Seafood Procurement Policy, Hy-Vee […]
Drees Retires From GF Buche Co. After Nearly 36 Years
Gregg Drees has worked for three generations of Buches at South Dakota’s GF Buche Co., starting with Bob Sr., then with Robert and finishing with current president RF Buche (pronounced boo-ee). He has praise for all of them. “Bob Sr. had an uncharacteristic thirst for knowledge and understanding of computers when most people his age […]
Supervalu Reveals ‘Beef Stampede’ Winners, Karns Quality Foods Takes Grand Prize
Karns Quality Foods in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, took top honors in Supervalu’s 2016 national “Beef Stampede” contest. The annual merchandising contest is a month-long program held each fall to showcase beef as a dinner plate staple. More than 120 grocery retailers nationwide served by Supervalu’s independent wholesale distribution business participated in the contest. “Supervalu applauds all of […]
These Are The Eight Standout Grocery Stores When It Comes To Price
A new Consumer Reports survey reveals eight grocery stores where consumers will find the lowest prices. The survey looked at 62 national and regional chains. According to the report, these retailers—ranging from vast warehouse clubs to an upstart from Europe—all had the most competitive prices, based on a survey of more than 50,000 Consumer Reports subscribers […]
AWG Ramps Up Kenosha D.C. With New Chicago Retailers On Board
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has begun serving additional Chicago-area supermarket retailers, the Kansas City, Kansas-based wholesaler said May 5. With the new Chicagoland business coming on board, AWG is ramping up full-scale deliveries out of its Kenosha, Wisconsin, division—acquired following its merger with Affiliated Foods Midwest (AFM) last October—which will be the main distribution center […]
Ray’s Grocery In Breckenridge, Texas, To Close; Forms Partnership With United
Ray’s Grocery & Market on West Walker Street in Breckenridge, Texas, will close May 16. The store’s owners, Ray and Beverly Olson, made the announcement on the company’s Facebook page Monday evening. Ray’s opened in 1974. “Any small-business owner knows that there are many seasons of success within the span of your career,” the Olsons […]
