Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Shelby Signature Content, Southeast, Store News

Alabama Market Profile: State’s Economy Is On The Upswing

by Lorrie Griffith/editor–Southeast Alabama’s economy is on the upswing, according to Ellie Taylor, president of the Alabama Grocers Association AGA), located in Birmingham. In fact, the state’s unemployment rate is now 3.5 percent—the lowest in its history. The good times look to be continuing, as two major plants were announced in January. One is a […]

Posted inThe Independent Perspective, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National, Perspectives, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content

Larkin: 2017 Year In Review For Independent Grocers

by Peter Larkin/ president and CEO, National Grocers Association Special to The Shelby Report Last year was an exciting one for the supermarket industry, which is perhaps undergoing more rapid change than at any other time. As usual, though, independent grocers proved—once again—that they’re the best equipped to evolve with changing times and serve their communities. […]

Posted inHome Page Latest News, Recommended Reading, Shelby Originals, West

Recommended: California’s Proposition 47—Crime And No Consequences

California’s Proposition 47 downgraded a variety of “non-serious, nonviolent crimes” that had previously been considered felonies to misdemeanors. These include shoplifting, grand theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, fraud, and writing bad checks. As long as the total value of the stolen property is under $950, only a ghost of an offense has occurred. A thief […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Grocery News, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Originals, Sustainability News

2018 Will See High Meat Consumption, But The American Diet Is Shifting

by Rich Waite/ Associate, World Resources Institute While 2017 was a banner year for plant-based eating—with plant-based burgers and other alternative proteins coming to market—2018 began with headlines proclaiming a new year filled with meat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture sparked these stories by predicting that Americans will eat a record amount of beef, pork and poultry this year. The meaty headlines—complete with pictures […]

Posted inRecommended Reading, C-Store News, Corporate Store News, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Shelby Originals, Store News

Recommended: Casey’s Explores Buying Kroger C-Stores Valued At $2B

Casey’s General Stores, under pressure from activist investor JCP Investment Management, has submitted an initial bid for Kroger’s roughly $2 billion convenience-store business, sources familiar with the situation tell CNBC. JCP Investment Management in January called for the Ankeny, Iowa-based convenience store operator to explore strategic alternatives, including a potential sale. Buying Kroger’s convenience-store business […]

Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Amazon Fresh, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southwest, Store News, Whole Foods

Reasor’s Refocuses To Keep Up With Evolving Needs Of Shoppers

by Terrie Ellerbee/editor—Midwest and Southwest Several factors are driving change at Tahlequah, Oklahoma-based Reasor’s as it celebrates its 55th anniversary this year. Perhaps the most significant will be the ability to sell full-strength beer and wine beginning in October. For decades, Oklahoma grocery stores have only been allowed to offer beer that is 3.2 percent […]

Posted inRecommended Reading, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Shelby Originals, Store News, Whole Foods

Recommended: To battle Amazon, Kroger Eyes Alibaba Alliance

Kroger may have found a way to counter Amazon. The country’s No. 1 supermarket chain is exploring an alliance with Jack Ma’s Alibaba — the China-based e-commerce giant, The Post has learned. Alibaba is similar to Amazon in that it operates supermarkets that use Amazon Go-like technology that allows cashier-less stores. Senior Kroger executives met […]

Posted inDeli News, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, ROFDA Reports, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content, Southeast, Store News

Independent Grocer Manning Rethinks How Things Are Done

Danny Manning has come a long way since he started as a bagger at 15 years old at a Food Town store in Eight Mile, Alabama. He moved to stocking, found favor with the company and got a produce rack about a year later. Once he graduated from high school, Manning went on to study […]