The grocery industry in Iowa experienced a dynamic period from 2024 through mid-2025, marked by strategic expansions, significant remodels and a notable few closures, reflecting both economic pressures and a continued focus on serving communities. While the state’s overall financial position remains strong, grocers are navigating evolving consumer habits and intense competition. Iowa-based Fareway Stores […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
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 inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: If You’re Going To Be A Bear, Be A Grizzly
“If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” This saying is one of my earliest learnings on how to be successful. It was during my early years at United Supermarkets of Oklahoma, where I spent the first 27 years of my career. I went from being a produce manager to assistant manager and […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
New Spending Bill And SNAP: Sifting Through The Ugly, Bad and Good
The Trump administration recently passed the spending bill. Some of the bill is new; some keeps in place existing programs. And where politicians exist, they do tricks and misinformation. Sometimes what they say is going to happen and what a bill actually does are two different things. Let’s take a deep look at the Supplemental […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, West
3-Store Acquisition Strengthens Stokes Markets’ Position In Mountain West
John Stokes and his brother, Steve, are fourth-generation grocers who have spent their lives immersed in the family business, Stokes Markets. Their work ethic and dedication to excellence are a direct result of their upbringing in the industry and the influence of those who worked alongside them. Stokes credits their customers with pushing them to […]
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, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Minier’s Unlikely Mix – Meat Destination With ‘Pottery Barn’ Feel In Big Flats, NY
Minier’s has a long, rich history, stretching back to the 1870s when Henry Minier opened a general store in Big Flats, New York, in the state’s Southern Tier. That store was about half a mile from where Minier’s full-service supermarket sits today at 84 Canal St. The family-owned store, known as Minier’s Neighborhood Meat Store […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Rouses Market, Southeast
Fast-Growing Lafayette Leading Way As Rouses Expanding In Louisiana
For this month’s Market Profile, The Shelby Report of the Southeast visited with Donny Rouse, the third-generation CEO of Rouses Markets, to talk about the company’s newest location in Lafayette and its strategic expansion in its home state of Louisiana, where it has 53 stores. What can you tell us about your newest store […]
Posted inMarket Profile, News, Southwest
Past Inflation, Current Tariffs Driving Shoppers To Seek Best Deals In U.S., Mexico
U.S. grocery shoppers continue to battle to affordably feed their families, wherever they live. From inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic to tariffs going into effect under the new presidential administration, prices are driving shoppers to form new habits and/or make some tough decisions. In towns along the U.S. border with Mexico – located in 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 […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, News, Northeast
Trion Positions For Future On Foundation Of Innovation, Enduring Values
For six decades, Trion Industries has been a steadfast presence in the retail landscape, particularly renowned for its shelf management solutions. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the family-owned company stands as a testament to adaptability, innovation and a solid commitment to quality, deeply rooted in its American-made ethos and strong community ties. The company’s trajectory has […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Michigan Retailers Face Economic Uncertainty Amid Tariffs, Inflation, Dip In Tourists
Michigan retailers are facing a challenging economic environment marked by inflation, tariff-related disruptions and fluctuating consumer behavior, according to Vic Veda, VP of communications with the Michigan Retailers Association. “The best specific data that I have on this topic here really does talk about the impacts of tariffs,” Veda said. “We did a member survey […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Grocery Store Equipment, Guest Contributors, National, News
For Grocers, Refrigeration Management Is Often-Overlooked Lever For Profitability
by Jonathan Tan, co-founder of the Ratio Institute In 1916, Clarence Saunders opened the first self-service grocery store in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1930, the modern supermarket arrived in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York, in the form of King Kullen. These innovations birthed the need for the fourth utility in food retail – modern […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Learning To Lead Like A National Park Guide
We recently went on a graduation celebration trip with our oldest grandson, Dax Graham Black, to Mesa Verde National Park. We had two different guides take us through a couple of the main attractions there – the Cliff House and the Balcony House. I had this thought as they inspired and educated us on how […]
Posted inFeature, Association News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National, News
Webinar Unpacks Trends From IDDBA 2025
Consumer anxieties, vibrant merchandising and the fast rising influence of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare topped the talking points during a June 12 International Dairy Deli Bakery Association-sponsored webinar, “Digesting All the Trends at IDDBA 2025.” Maeve Webster, president of the Bennington, Vermont-based consultancy Menu Matters, and Mike Kostyo, VP, sifted through what they saw on the show floor to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
SNAP Incentives, Fresh Innovation And The Role Of Independent Grocers
In June, the independent grocery industry came together in force for the 2025 NGA Fresh Summit in Milwaukee, where fresh food innovation met community commitment. From fresh-forward merchandising strategies to discussions about food safety, traceability and technology, the summit underscored what independent grocers already know – fresh food is not only a driver of growth […]