Shelby Originals | In-Depth Food Industry Stories & Analysis
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, Midwest

Hy-Vee Takes Lead On Innovation, Ventures Into New Spaces

Hy-Vee operates more than 550 retail locations, including retail, convenience, clinics and wine and spirits stores across eight Midwestern states, with plans to expand farther into and beyond the region.  The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s Retailer of the Year, the West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer announced in January that it would bring “a smile […]

Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Guest Contributors, National, Whole Foods

When The Big Get Bigger: Reflecting On Albertsons-Kroger Merger

The biggest recent news in our industry was the announcement that Albertsons and Kroger plan to merge. This isn’t the first time that bigger players have decided to combine forces with an aim to create leverage and scale.  Those terms are code for anticipated better pricing from suppliers, reducing costs in infrastructure, converting to common […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Feature, Southeast

Price Hikes, Product Shortages Have Cut Into Shopper Loyalty

Private label products have seen a major increase in popularity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt Reese, EVP of Nashville, Tennessee-based food brokerage the Reese Group Inc., sees the lingering effects in stores and customer purchasing habits. Manufacturers began having issues producing products, grocers had trouble keeping name-brand items on shelves and customers began […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest

IRMA Full Speed Ahead Following Merger

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Food Retailers Association merged at the end of September 2021. Since then, the IRMA has taken responsibility for all grocery members across the state, according to Rob Karr, president and CEO.  The two organizations had an overlap of members. The IFRA represented a majority of the independents […]