Sometimes a career change comes when one sees the handwriting on the wall. For Marty Beattie, this happened in 1989. Vermont farms were going out of business, and he was working for a grain company. He had invested 15 years in that industry, but he knew he needed to pivot to something with a brighter […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inMarket Profile, News, Southeast
Still Much Work To Do As Western NC Continues Helene Recovery
In the last weeks of April, roughly seven months after Hurricane Helene ripped through Western North Carolina, new federal and state grant programs were rolled out to help the area continue on the path toward recovery. On April 25, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had […]
Posted inMarket Profile, News, Southeast
New Potential Shoppers Continue To Pour Into North Carolina
North Carolina grocers have great incentive to keep their stores and product offerings at the top of their game – new customers coming into the state who have no pre-existing loyalty. Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, which covers both North Carolina and South Carolina, said that North Carolina’s population has […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Celebrates Opening Of New Supermarket In Gainesville, GA
Publix Super Markets held a grand opening celebration May 28 for a new 48,387-square-foot store at 3715 Wahoo Falls Trace in Gainesville, Georgia. The supermarket is the second the grocer has opened over an eight-month span in the Northeast Georgia city, following the Sept. 12 debut of its store at 2155 Limestone Ridge. For the […]
Posted inDeli News, Feature, News, Northeast
Caraluzzi’s Commits To Taking Back Sandwich Biz
Caraluzzi’s Markets made a proactive decision to take back the sandwich business that it was seeing migrate to franchise sandwich shops in the areas around its four stores in Connecticut. Mark Caraluzzi, president and CEO of the family-owned company that has been in business for 75-plus years, said that in the past, customers knew they […]
Posted inDairy News, Bakery News, Deli News, Feature, National, News
Consumers Carry High Expectations When Making Dairy Purchasing Decisions
Product quality is the most critical factor in consumers’ dairy product purchasing decisions. That’s according to a March article from Innova Market Insights based on its Top Trends 2025: Dairy & Dairy Alternatives – Global report. Dairy products play an essential role in global diets, providing vital nutrients like calcium and protein while promoting overall […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, News, West
Simpson’s Legacy At CFCU Not Forgotten
Certified Federal Credit Union CEO Steve Weakley is one to give credit where credit is due (no pun intended). He continues to recount the contributions of Donna Simpson, the late EVP and COO of Certified Federal Credit Union who passed away last August following a cycling accident in Idaho. She was like family to Weakley, […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News, Sustainability News
Effective Resource Management Strategies For Cutting Costs, Driving Profits
The most important business in every community is the local grocery store. It is the most visited. It is where the most money is spent, outside of housing and transportation. It supplies more than two-thirds of calories consumed. During the pandemic, the industry had record profit margins. From 2020-22, profit margins averaged 2.73 percent, reaching […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, News, West
Weakley: CFCU Goal Is To Serve All Of California
Certified Federal Credit Union (CFCU) has grown by virtue of mergers over the years, typically when another credit union has sought them out. Along the way, CFCU added Auto Club Credit Union in Costa Mesa; Metropolitan Water District Credit Union, representing employees that supply water for Southern California; and just last year, Prospectors Federal Credit […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, Midwest, News
Popular Trends, New Flavors Highlighted At Sweets & Snacks Expo
One of the perks for attendees at the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the chance to discover trends and flavors before they hit retailers’ shelves. This year was no exception, with more than 1,000 exhibitors showcasing their innovations to 14,000 show-goers. Nostalgia and decadent One of the recurring trends at the 2025 expo is nostalgia. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest, News
South Dakota Grocers Navigate Uncertainty Amid Economic Shifts
South Dakota’s economy showed a mixed performance in late 2024, and recent data indicates economic stagnation and the need for budgetary adjustments in 2025. The divergence in economic performance between urban and rural areas also is a key factor to consider. While the unemployment rate remains low and revenue for fiscal year 2025 is projected […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, Independent Store News, National, News
Road To Healthier America Runs Through Independent Grocery Stores
Across the country, independent grocers are stepping up to do what they have always done best – care for their communities. As public health challenges grow and access to nutritious food becomes more difficult for many Americans, community grocers are saying loud and clear that they want to be part of the solution. These locally […]
Posted inFeature, National, News, Online Grocery Technology
Webinar Explores Tariffs, E-commerce, Omnichannel Imperatives In Grocery
A recent webinar hosted by Grocery Doppio, “Decoding Q1 2025: Tariffs, E-commerce Realities and Omnichannel Imperatives in Grocery,” provided a candid look at the grocery industry’s performance in the first quarter of 2025, navigating the complexities of new tariffs, the evolving role of e-commerce and the need for technological and cultural shifts. The panel, featuring […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, News, West
For CFCU CEO Weakley, ‘Real Success’ Lies In Helping Others
Steve Weakley had his first job in the grocery industry when he was 18, just before entering college. That was at Certified Grocers, unloading boxcars. After college, roles at Albertsons and Vons followed before he was able to merge two of his loves – grocery and numbers – with a role at the credit union […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Southwest
Mother, Daughters Aspire To Serve More Houston Food Deserts
Eladia Ayala has had an affinity for food since she was a young girl in Mexico in the 1970s. She started cooking early, having closely watched her mother create dishes like tamales and tacos and whip up frozen sweets. Eventually, she sold her own creations at her town’s central market on Saturdays. During the week, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Growing GF Buche Co. Remains Passionate About Helping Those In Need
Fourth-generation South Dakota grocer RF Buche has a passion for retail but an even greater passion for helping people. That sentiment stems from a lesson he learned at age 7 from his father. While helping out in the store, he saw his dad quietly slip some cash to a mother in the checkout line who […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Grateful To Mom For Strong Work Ethic
In the days of old when most children worked alongside their parents, taking care of the house or farm chores or in other businesses, there were multiple moments in every single day that a good work ethic was learned, taught and lived. I would guess that anyone over age 50 could tell story after story […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, National, News
Shelby Publishing Highlights Exceptional Independent Award Recipients
Shelby Publishing is proud to present its third annual Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers and technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president and COO. “Independents are a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, News, Northeast
Connecticut Shoppers Adapt Grocery Habits Amid Economic Shifts
Come September, Wayne Pesce will have led the Connecticut Food Association as president for 10 years. In the conversation below, he discusses with The Griffin Report of the Northeast what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry, including some of the keys to success in today’s grocery industry. How is Connecticut’s economy faring? Connecticut’s economy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Family-Owned Caraluzzi’s Markets Continues To Nurture Reputation For Fresh
Mark Caraluzzi is president and CEO of Caraluzzi’s Markets, a family-owned operator of four food stores in Connecticut – Bethel, Georgetown (Wilton), Newtown and Danbury. Caraluzzi is a member of the third generation of ownership of the company, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. His grandfather, Anthony Caraluzzi Sr., bought Bethel Fruit & Vegetable […]