When Alliance Retail Group (ARG) was founded in 2004, it was with the mission to create a business model that stood out, based on personal relationships. From the start, it was important to the founders that strong business metrics were ingrained in the company’s culture. To some, it might seem old fashioned, but they were […]
Category: Feature
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Feature, Hy-Vee, Meijer, Midwest, The Kroger Co.
How Grocery Retailing Differs Throughout Midwest
by Diana Leza Sheehan, founder and principal consultant, PDG Insights The Midwest has a fascinating history that has helped to shape one of the more unique grocery landscapes in the United States. While national chains such as Walmart and Kroger hold significant weight, the region boasts a strong presence of regional powerhouses and a distinct consumer […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Feature, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
ARG Has Evolved To Offer Suite Of Services
Twenty years ago, Joe Wolf and Barry Maddox set out to create a company different from all others that serve independent retailers. Having been in the industry for decades, Wolf and Maddox intuitively knew they could get independent retailers more promotional trade dollars by working directly with consumer-packaged goods companies than what the retailers could […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Feature, Southeast
Alliance Companies Mark Two Decades Of Service
What differentiates the Hendersonville, Tennessee-based Alliance Companies, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is the ability to simplify the complex and provide wholistic solutions, all the while being transparent and driving a tremendous value proposition for its retailers as well as a measurable return on investment for its vendor partners. Founded in 2004, […]
Posted inBeverage News, Albertsons, Feature, West
Caliwater Taps Into Benefits Of ‘Super Fruit’ Prickly Pear Cactus
Oliver Trevena, co-founder with Vanessa Hudgens of Caliwater, was at ExpoWest 2024 to promote the cactus water brand. He spoke with The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves about the origins of the healthy water product. Trevena said Caliwater has half the calories and half the sugar of coconut water and more health benefits. He added it […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Feature, West
Following ‘Big Year,’ Kevin’s Expanding Into Frozen Aisle
Kevin McCray, founder of Kevin’s Natural Foods, was at ExpoWest 2024 to promote the company’s move into the frozen aisle. He chatted with The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves about the product innovation. The expansion was a result of “following the consumer around in their daily lives.” McCray said customers wanted a complete meal they could […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Sustainability News, West
Heritage Grocers Group Showcases Sustainability Efforts
This Earth Week, Heritage Grocers Group is showcasing its efforts to create lasting and positive sustainability impacts that benefit customers, team members and communities where the Hispanic grocer continues to grow and operate. As a company, Heritage prioritizes its people and the planet. By combining employee empowerment with data-driven sustainability initiatives, its leadership team is […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Midwest
Russ Davis Wholesale Celebrates ‘Full Circle Partnership’
Russ Davis Wholesale held its annual Customer Appreciation and Vendor Showcase Event on Feb. 28 at Mystic Lake Casino. The Minnesota-based company has been hosting the gathering for more than 35 years. Russ Davis Wholesale is a wholesaler, manufacturer and distributor of fresh produce. Crazy Fresh is the company’s brand of value-added cut fruit and […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, National
Combined Capabilities Of Mercatus Create Connected Ecosystem
Relationshop recently finalized the merger of two providers of e-commerce solutions for independent and regional grocers – Mercatus Technologies and Stor.ai. The new company is operating as Mercatus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Relationshop Inc. Galen Walters, CEO of Relationshop, spoke with The Shelby Report’s Jan Meade. He said Stor.ai, which is based in Tel […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
iFoodDS Gives Firms Confidence Their Data Is Secure, Yet Sharable
Shelby Publishing’s Bob Reeves recently visited with Allyson Sharron, VP of marketing for Seattle, Washington-based iFoodDS, who spoke about how the company offers connected traceability, quality and food safety solutions for the fresh food supply chain. “We help grocery retailers, foodservice operators, distributors and their suppliers optimize quality and reduce food waste by giving them […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Beverage News, Feature, Northeast
PepsiCo Celebrating Anniversary With ‘Faster, Stronger, Better’ Approach
New York-based PepsiCo prides itself on the diverse portfolio of its iconic brands. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the company recently rolled out a new logo to refresh the visual identity of the brand. It also advertised some of its new innovations, including Mountain Dew Baja Blast, during the 2024 Super Bowl. It has been a […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National, Sustainability News
AI ‘On The Tip Of Every Tongue’ Within Grocery Industry
Technology, sustainability, asset protection and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s traceability rule are among areas of concern for the grocery industry, according to Doug Baker, VP of industry relations at FMI – The Food Industry Association. Baker talked with The Griffin Report’s Maggie Kaeppel during the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. Baker said […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, Grocery Store Equipment, Northeast
Hershey Shares Insights On Front-End Queuing, Self-Checkout
Nicole Capes, senior manager of retail experience with The Hershey Co., said 60 percent of shoppers prefer self-checkout because they feel like it is faster. To learn what works best for an optimal queue, Hershey spent countless hours observing shoppers in self-checkout areas in different retail environments, including small and large format, grocery, mass market […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
Innit Using AI, Expert Info To Create Online Shopping Experience
“What’s in it?” Many customers ask this same question when looking for products and recipes. Kevin Brown, CEO and co-founder of California-based Innit, said his personalized food intelligence platform aims to answer that query. “We wanted to start with that question,” he said. “And that informs a lot of what we’re doing around our technology, […]
Posted inFeature, Grocery Store Equipment, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
CEO: Upshop Helping ‘Lessen The Load’ On Grocery Employees
The Shelby Report’s SVP Jan Meade recently caught up with Shamus Hines, CEO of Upshop, to talk about how the software company can aid grocery retailers and their employees. Hines said Tampa, Florida-based Upshop has operational technology that supports some of the more complicated workflows in the grocery store. These may be considered through three […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, Northeast
Boosted By ‘Head Start,’ PDL Keeps Driving Tech Forward
Peapod Digital Labs (PDL) drives the digital and eCommerce innovation, technology and expertise for the retail brands of Ahold Delhaize USA – Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Co., Hannaford Supermarkets and Stop & Shop. Originally known as Peapod Online Grocer or simply Peapod, the company was founded in 1989 and operated independently until Ahold […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Feature, Independent Store News, Southeast
Remodeled Tampa Store Serves As Publix’s Prototype
Publix has been named Shelby Publishing’s 2023 Growth Leader. Publix President Kevin Murphy recently visited with Shelby President and COO Stephanie Reid and SVP Jan Meade as they toured the Publix at 3617 W. Gandy Blvd. in Tampa, Florida. The 55,000-square-foot store is the company’s newest prototype. Murphy referenced the company’s Greenwise stores, which he […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Feature, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Finding New Ways To Fight Hunger Through Summit
Publix long has been working to alleviate hunger in the communities it serves. That effort reached a new level in early 2023, when the company hosted a Hunger Summit at its Lakeland, Florida headquarters. Executives from 35 Feeding America member food banks in the Publix operating area attended, along with state and federal officials. Company […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Feature, Independent Store News, Southeast, Sustainability News
Publix Removes Invasive Plants From Florida Everglades
Publix is contributing $2 million to remove invasive trees and plants in 1,000 acres of wetlands in the Florida Everglades. These trees and plants use more than their share of water, interrupting Florida’s natural water system. The company is funding projects at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the saline glades in Everglades National Park that will […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Feature, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix’s Caring Culture Begins With Hearts, Minds Of Associates
Publix was founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, by George W. Jenkins (Mr. George) on the concept of community first. Executive Chairman Todd Jones said while food is the “backbone” of the company, “we wanted to make sure that we’ll take care of our customers and our communities.” Talking with Shelby Publishing President and […]