Shelby Originals | In-Depth Food Industry Stories & Analysis
Posted inFood Service News, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Originals

What QSRs Can Teach Grocers

by Howland Blackiston/ principal, King-Casey As groceries and supermarkets step into the brave, new world of branded, proprietary food offerings, they quickly learn that they have a whole new set of competitors—specifically, QSRs and fast-casual restaurants. But that’s not all bad news. QSRs have served their market for 50-plus years, which means that grocers can shortcut […]

Posted inShelby Originals, Association News, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Produce News, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Signature Content, Suppliers

Indiana Grown Makes Life‑Changing Connections For Producers

by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Midwest Austin and Kristen Witt have been growing blackberries on their District 6 Farm in Jasonville, Indiana, since 2015. It isn’t easy to grow blackberries in the state, but for the Witts, it was a lot easier than selling them. “This is all new to us,” said Austin Witt. “I didn’t even know […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content, Store News, Whole Foods

With Retail Store Openings Down And Closings Up, Employees Appreciate Leadership

by Art Patch/a retired retail executive & regular columnist for The Shelby Report There is so much happening in retail businesses, it’s no wonder employees are concerned about their future. Most distressing is a recent industry study by Jones Lang LaSalle showing new store openings down 28.8 percent in 2017. Most of us follow the […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content, Store News, West, Whole Foods

Washington Market Profile: Challenges, But Growth, Too

by Lorrie Griffith/editor-West One of the dichotomies in a state like Washington is that while there are major metropolitan areas like Seattle, there also are extremely rural areas. But, of course, both are subject to the same state laws, like the $12 an hour minimum wage that went into effect this year that will go […]

Posted inCalifornia Perspective, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content, West

California Perspective: Relationship-Building Plays Important Role In The Political Process

by Ron Fong/president and CEO, California Grocers Association Success in government relations often is rooted in the connections developed with legislators over the years. While politics, and lobbying specifically, is by its nature an adversarial pursuit, good government relations separate the conflict from the person you conflict with. Legislation comes and goes, but legislators stay […]

Posted inSustainability News, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National, Recommended Reading, Shelby Originals

Recommended: Grocers Trying To Lessen Impact On The Environment

Specialty grocery stores such as Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market and Whole Foods Market have as part of their mission to minimize their impact on the environment and natural resources. “We are worried about the planet. We care about the generations to come, our children and grandchildren,” said Rick Hood, owner of Ellwood Thompson’s, which has […]

Posted inAnniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southwest, Store News

Brookshire Grocery Co. Celebrates 90 Years In Business

At 90, Brookshire Grocery Co. continues traditions established in 1928 Brookshire Grocery Co. has a rich history dating back to 1928 when Wood T. Brookshire opened a small, 25-ft. x 100-ft. store in downtown Tyler, Texas. In the beginning, Wood was in a partnership with five brothers operating under the “Brookshire Brothers” name. In 1939, […]

Posted inBeverage News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content

Indiana Now Has Sunday Sales, Which Is…Great?

by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Midwest Anyone who wanted to grab a cold beer on Sunday in Indiana was out of luck until March of this year. That is when a state law took effect allowing Sunday alcohol sales. Now a customer can get a cold one on Sunday, but only from a liquor store. Grocery, drug and […]