Among the many participants at the 2024 NACS Show in Las Vegas was Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania-based Trion Industries, which manufactures merchandising solutions for retail displays and shelf management. Craig Weiskerger, director of sales and marketing, took time after the show to field some questions from The Griffin Report. What is new with Trion? Trion has […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inWoman Executive of the Year, Executive News, West
Pierce Leans On Southern Roots, Strong Work Ethic
Though Subriana Pierce has resided in Southern California for nearly 15 years now, “I am a Deep South girl,” she says. Pierce was born in the South Georgia town of Moultrie. Moves to Mobile, Alabama, and then Jackson, Mississippi, followed. The daughter of a high school vocational teacher/auto mechanic and a nurse, Pierce and her […]
Posted inWoman Executive of the Year, Home Page Latest News, West
Pierce’s Career Marked By Balancing Ambition, Service To Others
Subriana Pierce, SVP of sales for C.A. Fortune based in the company’s Southern California office, has been named The Shelby Report of the West’s Woman Executive of the Year for 2024. Pierce is being honored for her contributions to the grocery industry, both through her work and through her service to others. Pierce has a […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
New Year, Fresh Start – ‘Hope’ As Positive Attitude Can Help Guide Leaders
by Steve Black A new year always brings a fresh start and renewed motivation and hope. Hope for many areas of our lives to get better. Hope that most of the impacts from COVID-19 are behind us. Hope that the employment situation will calm and turn in the right direction. Hope for our businesses to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest
Jim’s Market Navigates Challenges In Minnesota’s Retail Food Landscape
Paul Huber, president of Jim’s Market in Canby, Minnesota, has spent most of his life in the grocery business. From the time he began helping at his father’s store at age 12, Huber has remained dedicated to continuing his family’s tradition of running an independent grocery store. However, as he faces a rapidly changing industry, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
Bungee Tech’s Platform Offers Actionable Insights, View Of Competitive Landscape
The Shelby Report caught up with Caitlin Orosz, senior director of marketing for Redmond, Washington-based Bungee Tech after Groceryshop 2024 in Las Vegas. The software company aims to revolutionize retail operations through efficient automation and improve the ability of customers to compete and win in the market. Retail pricing solutions such as its Retailscape by […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, Northeast
Upside’s Offers Now Reaching About 35M Consumers Across U.S.
Tyler Renaghan, VP of grocery at Upside, visited with The Griffin Report following Groceryshop 2024 in Las Vegas. The app from the Washington, D.C.-based technology company rewards cash back to users through partnerships with retailers. The scope of its services includes all aspects of retail, but the grocery industry in particular has used it to […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, C-Store News, Feature, Northeast
Mars Wrigley Executive: Convenience Store Shoppers Seeking More Variety
Mars Wrigley boasted a strong presence at the 2024 NACS Show in Las Vegas, with its booth showcasing several new products and twists on some of its classic offerings. After the show, Mike Gilroy, the company’s VP of trade development and sponsorship, shared the following recap with The Griffin Report. What is new with […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, U.R.M. Stores, West
Culture Of URM Stores Inc. Built On Communication, Fairness, Respect
Having weathered challenging work environments in his career, Ray Sprinkle, CEO and president of URM Stores Inc., was determined to create a different kind of workplace when he joined the Spokane, Washington-based company – one characterized by positivity and support. Instead of micromanaging, Sprinkle prefers a hands-off approach, focusing on hiring highly qualified people, trusting […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Sprinkle Hailed For Visionary Leadership, Strong Commitment To Mentorship
When he was 14, Ray Sprinkle was hired to sort soda bottles in the back of the grocery store his father ran in Kansas. Sprinkle didn’t know it at the time, but he would go on to spend the bulk of his 50-plus-year professional career – and make a name for himself – in that […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
At Hawaii-Based KTA, ‘We Are What We Are Because Of Our Community’
Toby Taniguchi is the yonsei of his family’s company on the Big Island of Hawai’i. That is, he is the fourth generation to lead the business, Puna Plantation Hawaii Ltd., based in Hilo. The company comprises businesses including six KTA Super Stores, KTA Express, five KTA Pharmacy locations and K. Takata Store, which Puna Plantation […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Beauty, Challenges Are Dual Realities In Isolated, Expensive Hawaii
For all its natural beauty, welcoming people and myriad other charms, Hawaii does have its share of challenges economically, which impact the islands’ food store operators. Alexis Chapman, director of operations for the Hawaii Food Industry Association in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, said the state’s economy is growing but still faces some unique […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Retailer of the Year, Southwest
Crest Foods Will Always Remain ‘Home Of Rock Bottom Prices’
Kevin Ergenbright, VP of Crest Foods, has worked with the company throughout his career. He recently shared some of his history and insights into the company, which has been named The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s 2024 Retailer of the Year. Can you give a brief history of your career in the grocery industry? Crest […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Latest News, Retailer of the Year, Southwest
Crest Foods President: ‘We’re Not Real Flashy, We Just Work Hard’
Like many who grew up in family-owned and -operated grocery stores, Crest Foods President Bruce Harroz got his start in the business at an early age. He was just 12 when he began working in his father’s store in Midwest City, Oklahoma, part of the Oklahoma City metro area. “The apron was too long, so […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Lowes Foods, Southeast
Pursuit Of Innovation Key To ‘Very Bright Future’ For Lowes Foods
Lowes Foods is celebrating 70 years in the grocery business this year. It began with a small grocery store in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, operated by Jim Lowe, who was part of the family that founded a separate business under the same name selling home improvement products. The focus at Jim Lowe’s grocery store was on […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Lowes Foods, Southeast
Lowes Foods’ In-Store Atmosphere Offers Sense Of Community
The Community Table is the heart of a Lowes Foods store. Constructed of reclaimed wood from local barns, the table is designed to bring the community together through events like food pairings, tea parties and floral arranging classes. Private events ranging from birthday parties for kids to beer and wine pairings for adults (Beer & […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
What Presidential Election Means For Independent Grocers In 2025
The past several years have brought a host of policy wins for independent grocers. From progress toward antitrust enforcement and credit card reform to protection of federal nutrition programs, NGA’s advocacy efforts have made historic leaps. While we have been building momentum on these issues, there is still plenty to do. With the results of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Central Market, Southwest
‘Unique Food-Focused Format’ Helped Scratch H-E-B’s Itch For Innovation
Stephen Butt, H-E-B’s president of shareholder relations and the Central Market division, talks about the origins of Central Market and how it has evolved over the years. What prompted the creation of Central Market? How did the idea for this concept come to be? In the mid-1980s, H-E-B was becoming “restlessly dissatisfied” with the lack […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Central Market, Southwest
‘Let’s Renew Our Wows’ – Central Market Celebrates 30 Years Of Sharing Love Of Food
With its launch 30 years ago in Austin, Texas, the foodie-focused Central Market format put H-E-B on the path to becoming the highly successful multi-format retailer it is today. Central Market was born out of the retailer’s desire to create something new and exciting for its shoppers. Inspired by European markets, the stores have winding […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National
Exec From nCountR: Reaching Shoppers At Store Level Vitally Important
As popular as e-commerce has become, about 80 percent of retail transactions still take place in the real world, at the store. “Every retailer, including some of the largest on the planet, see more foot traffic than they do digital traffic by a very large factor,” noted Hans Fischmann, VP and GM of the nCountR […]