Independents | The Shelby Report
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Corporate Store News, National, News

Grocery Industry Reacts To SNAP Waiver Requests Across The U.S.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun have submitted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver requests to the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the aim of banning the purchase of soft drinks and candy with the benefits. State governors can ask for a waiver from certain requirements of the SNAP program. “Banning […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West

Vallarta Supermarkets To Open New Store In Los Angeles

Vallarta Supermarkets is preparing for the April 23 grand opening of a new store at 3300 W Slauson Ave. in the Park Mesa Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. The grocer shared that it is taking over a 46,333-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Ralphs and “left vacant for some time,” bringing 165 new jobs to Park […]

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 inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast

Publix Celebrates Grand Opening In Jasper, GA

Publix celebrated the grand opening of a new supermarket April 9 at 178 Virginia Way in Jasper, Georgia. “We’re excited for the opening of this Publix location in Jasper,” said Nicole Krauss, Publix media relations manager. “We look forward to providing premier service and quality products to new and existing customers in the first mountain […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Guest Contributors, National, News

NGA Scores Big Legislative Wins For Independent Grocers

At the time of this writing, the first 100 days of the new congressional session are wrapping up, and the National Grocers Association (NGA) has secured major victories that will ease regulatory burdens, promote fair competition and protect independent grocers nationwide. From advocating for antitrust enforcement to blocking costly energy regulations, NGA’s efforts are making […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News

Buche Foods Expands Food Access Through Grocery Lockers

The community of Marty, South Dakota, has welcomed the launch of Marty Food Lockers, a grocery delivery solution from Buche Foods that aims to address the challenges of grocery accessibility in the rural community. In a recent meeting held at the Marty Community Center, residents learned they can shop online at buchefoods.com and select the […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast

Publix Named On Fortune’s 100 Best Companies To Work For List

Publix is included on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For List for the 28th consecutive year, ranking No. 42. The Lakeland, Florida-based grocer is one of just four companies to make the list every year since its inception in 1998. “Part of Publix’s mission statement is to be dedicated to the dignity, value and […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Southeast

B&T’s Food Fresh Market Exemplifies Independent Spirit

John Triplett is co-owner of B&T’s Food Fresh Market – a growing independent grocery company with 11 locations in Georgia and South Carolina and more planned – with Clark Brunson. The two are self-described “conservative entrepreneurs” and own other businesses in addition to raising young families. Triplett also is a vocal proponent for tort reform […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Midwest

Coborn’s Acquires Kessler’s Grocery Stores In SD

Coborn’s Inc. has signed a purchase agreement to acquire two grocery stores operated by the Kessler family under the Kessler’s Food and Grocery banner in northeastern South Dakota. The locations included in the acquisition are:  Kessler’s Food and Grocery: 621 6th Ave. SE in Aberdeen, South Dakota; and  Kessler’s Food and Fuel: 308 N Broadway […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite

ShopRite To Hold Store Grand Opening April 13 In Watchung, NJ

A new ShopRite at 1701 U.S.-22 in Watchung, New Jersey, will open April 9 and host a grand-opening celebration with special giveaways April 13. The town’s current ShopRite will close April 8. The Sumas family and its company, Village Super Market Inc., which owns and operates the new store, will kick off the festivities at […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, Wakefern

Price Rite Marketplace Kicks Off Annual Feeding Minds, Bodies Campaign

Price Rite Marketplace and Feed the Children kicked off their annual Feeding Minds & Bodies campaign with a hunger-fighting event in Rhode Island that helped hundreds of families. The gathering, the first of eight similar events planned this year, took place at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the start of GoProvidence’s Providence Culinary Collective, a […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, West

Heritage Grocers Group, Olive Crest Partner To Prevent Child Abuse, Neglect

Heritage Grocers Group has partnered with Olive Crest and the Child Abuse Stops Here Network to begin an in-store fundraising campaign at Cardenas Markets, Los Altos Ranch Markets, El Rancho Supermercado and Tony’s Fresh Market banner stores. One of the largest Hispanic and ethnic food retailers in the country, Heritage Grocers Group is raising money to […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest

Fareway Breaks Ground On First Store In Kansas

Fareway Stores Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony April 1 for its first store in Kansas – a 21,000-square-foot Fareway Meat & Grocery at 15790 State Ave. in Basehor. First announced in February 2024, the store will feature a built-in smoker to provide freshly smoked items typically only offered at Fareway Meat Market locations.  “The Basehor […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite

ShopRite Promotes ‘We Are Here’ Marketing Campaign

Keasbey, New Jersey-based ShopRite has launched an integrated marketing campaign, “We Are Here,” spotlighting the family-operated businesses at the heart of the brand and their deep community ties. Rolling out across a variety of media channels, the campaign showcases a montage of images and stories. Viewers will see familiar faces – including the families who […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, National

Churchill, Schlueter Among AWG Annual Excellence Award Winners

As part of its 2025 Innovation Showcase and Annual Shareholders Meeting, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) presented its Lou Fox Community Service Award and Store Manager of the Year Award, among other honors. Walt Churchill of Walt Churchill’s Market in Ohio received the Lou Fox Community Service Award winner, while Store Manager of the Year went […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, West

At Family-Run Goodwin & Sons In California, Stores ‘Positioned To Serve’ Their Communities

Michael Johnstone, VP of Goodwin & Sons Inc., is a fourth-generation grocer and great-grandson of the company’s founder. He responded to questions from The Shelby Report’s Lorrie Griffith about the grocer’s four stores, three of which are located in Southern California.   To start off, tell me about you – your title and history with […]