Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Bakery News, Bonus Content, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Signature Content, Southeast, Store News

Hometown Food Markets Makes Grocery Shopping A Sensory Experience

by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Southwest Hometown Food Markets, owned by Ed and Dana Sowards, operates two Colorado stores. The towns they serve, Pagosa Springs and Antonito, are located on either side of the Continental Divide. Both are tourist towns and sit at about 8,000 feet above sea level. “Both of them are the last stops before you […]

Posted inDairy News, Bonus Content, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, International Foods, Marketing News, Merchandising News, National

Sorensen: Connecting With Hispanic Shoppers

by Cindy Sorensen/Founder and CEO of The Grocery Group The Hispanic population represents the fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S. In fact, by 2020, Hispanics will be the largest ethnic group. They currently represent 17 percent of the population and will grow to be 29 percent by 2050. This growth will occur in all regions […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Bonus Content, Home Page Latest News, Store News, West

Utah Market Profile: Strong State Economy Supports Store Growth

by Stacy Weichel/contributing writer Utah has a strong economy and a strong stable of grocers, both chains and independents. Chains include Smith’s (a Kroger banner),Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market; independents include Lee’s Marketplace, Harmons and Associated Food Stores (AFS), which has both wholesale customers and its own corporate stores. A new Trader Joe’s will […]

Posted inRecommended Reading, Bonus Content, Home Page Latest News, National

Recommended: Will President Donald Trump’s Trade Wars Raise Grocery Prices?

President Donald Trump is betting that his trade wars won’t affect U.S. shoppers as he seeks to rewrite – or end – international trade deals. While U.S. exporters – farmers and manufacturers – are anxiously looking on as the Trump administration demands terms to bring jobs back to America, the average consumer isn’t seeing any […]

Posted inExecutive News, Bonus Content, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Signature Content, Special Section, West

The Shelby Report Salutes Our West Retailer Exec Of The Year: Pat Posey, Bristol Farms

Everybody Likes Pat Patrick “Pat” Posey, VP of non-perishable procurement and merchandising for Southern California-based retailer Bristol Farms, seems to be one of those guys everybody likes, as you’ll see from comments provided to us by his colleagues (friends). In addition to managing a successful career in the grocery business that started at Ralphs Grocery […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Bonus Content, Home Page Latest News, National

Providing Timely Service Is Essential To Developing Customer Loyalty

by John Larson/senior partner at John Larson & Co. and co-author of Capturing Loyalty Last week, I went to my local Trader Joe’s and bought an inexpensive bottle of Chilean wine. When I went to pay for the wine, the register operator complemented me on my selection. “Several of my customers have purchased this wine […]

Posted inRaley's, Bonus Content, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Signature Content, Store News, West

Raley’s Strategic Initiatives Focus On Customers, Concepts, Team Members

Kevin Konkel, who was appointed to the newly created role of chief operations officer at Raley’s this past March, kicked off a trio of executives from the West Sacramento-based grocery who addressed the audience at the Western Association of Food Chains annual convention in May. Konkel was followed by Deirdre Zimmermann, SVP of marketing, and […]

Posted inPackaging News, Bonus Content, California Perspective, Grocery Industry, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, West

Prop. 65 Warning No Longer Needed For Coffee; Cereal Under Scrutiny

by Ron Fong/president and CEO, California Grocers Association In many respects, California is like an island unto itself when it comes to laws and regulations. For better or worse, our state is home to a number of laws and regulations that exist nowhere else in the nation. Among the most notorious and controversial of them […]