A community event from 1940 was brought back recently as the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Babbs Supermarket in Spencer, Indiana, hosted the Chester’s Chicken Chuck. The event, also held in partnership with the Owen County Community Foundation, Smithville and other local sponsors, took place on the courthouse lawn Sept. 6. In 1940, local […]
Category: Feature
Posted inCorporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market Looking To Midwest, Northeast As New Growth Areas
Sprouts Farmers Market held its third quarter conference call Oct. 29, covering not only financial results but several other topics, including its plans around new store growth. By the end of this year, the Phoenix, Arizona-based grocer will have opened more stores than originally planned, and the pace will continue to ramp up, company executives […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, News, Southeast
PWADC Invests In Growth, Tech, People
Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. is investing in technology, operations and personnel to support independent retailers and drive profitability, according to President and CEO Christopher Brown. The upgrades – including an upgraded buying system, warehouse technology and digital marketing support – are designed to strengthen the cooperative’s 242 stores and attract more independent grocers to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, Southeast
Asheville, NC-based Earth Fare Looks Back On Helene, Continues Relief Efforts
One year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, Asheville-based Earth Fare executives say the storm tested both the company and the community – and revealed the strength of partnerships forged during crises. Laurie Aker, director of marketing, described the experience as “literally like we were in ‘The Walking Dead.’ There was absolutely no communication.” […]
Posted inFeature, News, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS Reflects On Hurricane Helene Response One Year Later
In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Helene in late September 2024, the ECRS team in Boone, North Carolina, stepped up to support its community and the greater western North Carolina region. ECRS, a transaction and retail solutions provider, is located in Watauga County, which was included in FEMA’s 39-county disaster declaration. “Our dedicated employees […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, National, News
FMI Report Says Grocery Shoppers Are Resilient, With Aspirations To Eat Well
FMI – The Food Industry Association surveyed nearly 1,600 shoppers in late July to gather intelligence for the second installment of 2025 of its U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends report, which the association has been generating for 51 years. Subtitled “New Routines,” the report “examines the logic behind grocery shopping or the notion of what is […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, National, News
Hershey Expands Innovation With New Flavors, Formats And Technology
Hershey is keeping its focus on consumer demand with a lineup of new innovations across confections, snacks and better-for-you products. Lindsay McCabe, manager of corporate communications and brand PR for Hershey, recently spoke with The Shelby Report about some new offerings from the company. “One area that we were missing within our confection space was […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, Southeast
Russell’s Food Center Marks 90 Years In ‘Heart Of Acadiana’
Russell’s Food Center describes itself as a small family-run business that “continues to thrive in downtown Arnaudville, Louisiana, the heart of Acadiana.” The store, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary in September, is owned and operated by the fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of George and Nora Coles, who acquired what was then a dry goods […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, West
Zupan’s Celebrates 50th Anniversary In Portland, OR
Zupan’s Markets is celebrating its 50th anniversary all year long. “We’re proud of our family’s legacy and deeply grateful for the customers, associates and partners who’ve supported us over the years,” said Mike Zupan, president and CEO. “This milestone is as much theirs to celebrate as it is ours.” Zupan’s, operating three gourmet markets in […]
Posted inBakery News, Feature, National, News
Bimbo Bakehouse Unveils Bakery Innovations To Meet Everyday Occasions
Bimbo Bakehouse is expanding its innovation pipeline to meet the needs of younger consumers and drive growth in the in-store bakery. The Griffin Report recently caught up with Mollie Crudden, senior director of marketing for Bimbo Bakehouse, and Dana Strain, senior marketing manager at Bimbo Bakeries USA, about additions to the company’s lineup. “We have […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Exec Calls Partnership With Upside ‘A Win-Win For Everyone’
Upside launched in early 2016 to help retailers offer their customers another incentive to shop. Gas stations were the first retailers to join the platform, followed by restaurants in summer 2017 and then grocery stores the following summer. The Upside app allows shoppers to earn cash back at participating retailers. The customer just follows a […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Feature, News, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
The Kroger Co. Opens Marketplace Store In Hoschton, GA
The Kroger Co. held a grand opening celebration Aug. 13 for a new Marketplace store at 175 Peachtree Exchange Blvd. in Hoschton, Georgia. The location represents a $40 million investment, encompassing more than 123,000 square feet and bringing more than 250 jobs to the area. Kroger employees and leadership joined city, county and state officials, […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Feature, News, West
Former Vons Revamped As Pavilions In Mission Hills Neighborhood
The former Vons location in the Mission Hills area of San Diego, California, is now a Pavilions store. Though it underwent a fairly extensive remodel, the store remained open throughout the process. Wayne Heaton, VP and GM for Pavilions, said Mission Hills is “an incredible neighborhood” for the format. “Mission Hills has a great diverse […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Pavilions Stores Specialize In Selection Of Stellar Wines, Liquors
“There’s no other supermarket in Southern California that carries the selections and the varieties that we’re able to get in Pavilions.” That’s how Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner, describes the stores’ wine and liquor offerings. He credits Phil Markert for stewarding those departments so well. “We have a very special director […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, News, Southwest
Marczyk Fine Foods Leverages ECRS To Grow With Purpose
For more than two decades, Marczyk Fine Foods has built its reputation in Denver, Colorado, on high-quality specialty food, hand-crafted market-made items and exceptional customer service. But behind the fresh baguettes, Niman Ranch beef and house-made guacamole is a technology infrastructure that’s every bit as curated and intentional as the products lining the shelves. At […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Pavilions Fills Role As Test Site For New Grocery, GM Products
“Pavilions is a testing ground for a lot of new and innovative items for the entire division,” said Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner. Together with Albertsons and Vons banner stores, they form Albertsons’ 329-store Southern California division. “If something works in Pavilions, there may be 100 stores in the other two […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Pavilions Marks 4 Decades Of Offering SoCal Consumers An Upscale Full-Shop
Wayne Heaton is VP and general manager of the Pavilions banner for Albertsons, which also owns Pavilions’ sister banner Vons. Heaton has enjoyed a long history in the grocery industry, starting as a courtesy clerk “pushing carts” in 1987. He came up through the ranks at Albertsons and served as a store director for many […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Food 4 Less Leader Doyel Plans To Keep Building On Banner’s Strong Foundation
Kendra Doyel may have one of the most well-rounded careers among today’s supermarket industry leaders. Named president of Kroger’s Food 4 Less/Foods Co division in April, Doyel started as a pharmacist in the company’s Fry’s division in 1998 and wound through several departments and responsibilities on her way to leading 101 Food 4 Less and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Feature, National, News
Grocery Stores Offer Assist As Tailgating Season Approaches
Sept. 6 marks the 10th annual celebration of National Tailgating Day. The day of celebration was created by Luke Lorick, president of Tailgating Challenge, a tailgating-focused social media brand. Lorick’s enthusiasm for tailgating turned into a brand with a mission: test out the coolest tailgating gear and give fans a chance to win. Over the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, Southeast
At Community-Focused Hometown Food Center, ‘Fresh Is What We Do Best’
In the small Lower Alabama town of Headland, just nine miles north of Dothan – where several national grocery chains are located – one independent grocer continues to thrive by doing what the big-box stores can’t – connecting deeply with its community and focusing on fresh, local products. Hometown Food Center, owned by Jai Freeman […]