The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is making significant strides to increase its customer base and enhance product offerings, according to Edward Walters III, executive director of sales, marketing and e-commerce. DeCA is working to attract more eligible shoppers to its commissaries. Walters emphasized the importance of reaching those who may not be aware of their […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inFeature, Southeast
DeCA Striving To Boost Sales, Savings For Patrons Worldwide
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA), headquartered at Fort Gregg-Adams in Virginia, operates a worldwide chain of 235 commissaries providing groceries to U.S. military personnel, retirees, service-related disabled veterans and their families. Under the leadership of Director and CEO John Hall, DeCA is aiming to significantly boost sales and savings for its patrons. Hall, who has […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Feature, Guest Contributors, Harps Food Stores, Southwest, The Kroger Co.
Led by Lone Star State, Southwestern U.S. Ripe For Grocers
by Diana Leza Sheehan The grocery retail landscape in the American Southwest is a dynamic and evolving ecosystem. This region – defined by The Shelby Report as Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas – is characterized by a blend of national grocers and innovative regional independents. These players are not only competing but learning […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West
Superior Grocers CEO Wardwell Hailed For Exceptional Leadership, Dedication
There are words that come up frequently when people talk about Richard Wardwell, president and CEO of Superior Grocers. Driven. Intense. Hands-on. Aware. Friendly. Funny. Tireless. Good-hearted. Humble. Competitive. He doesn’t sleep much and works six 15ish-hour days a week, which would make most people unable to be any of those things. When he’s not […]
Posted inH-E-B, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Southwest
H-E-B, Other Independent Grocers Investing In Texas
It has been a significant year for the $70.7 billion Texas grocery industry. At the onset of 2024, grocers in many parts of the state were attempting to rebound from national issues such as labor, supply chain and e-commerce challenges. As the year draws near to a close, it appears their efforts are paying off. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Food Lion, Guest Contributors, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
Southern Flavors: Unpacking Unique Supermarket Scene In Southeastern U.S.
by Diana Leza Sheehan Within the grocery sector in the U.S., the Southeast stands out with its distinctive characteristics. Influenced by local tastes, strong community bonds and the significant presence of Publix, this region’s grocery landscape is unique. Including some 11 states, the Southeast region accounts for 25 percent of the U.S. population – about […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest
Chicago Market Taking Shape In Historic Train Station
Next year, the Windy City will be getting a new grocery store with the opening of Chicago Market in the Gerber building on Broadway, a landmark location that served as a train station for a century. Dan Arnett, general manager, recently spoke with The Shelby Report of the Midwest about the store and how a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Northeast
Murphy’s Fresh Markets Serving Its Communities Inside, Outside Stores
Murphy’s Fresh Markets operates three stores in southern New Jersey. The stores are nestled in their respective neighborhoods, with strong relationships with customers and a reputation for charitable giving. But the grocer knows that to continue to be successful, the stores have to provide the goods, literally, as well. “My family’s grown roots here and […]
Posted inMarketing News, Amazon Fresh, Feature, Southeast, Whole Foods
Diversification Helps Acosta Group Connect Shoppers With Brands
The core purpose of Acosta Group is to “help connect shoppers with brands that they love, anywhere that they want to buy them, in this omnichannel environment,” said Darian Pickett, chief global client officer for the company, during an interview at the NACS Show in October with The Shelby Report’s Jan Meade. Understanding today’s shoppers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Northeast, Whole Foods
NJFC CEO: New Jersey’s Grocery Landscape Experiencing Selective Growth
Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council, took time out of her busy schedule in October to provide an update to The Griffin Report on the state’s grocery industry. Below are her responses. How is the economy in your state? What kind of population and unemployment trends are you seeing? Our […]
Posted inCoborn's, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Dollar General, Festival Foods, Guest Contributors, Independent Store News, Midwest, The Kroger Co.
Midwest Grocery: How Rural Nuance Allows Regional Independents To Thrive
by Diana Leza Sheehan While many factors help to shape the state of grocery retailing in the Midwest, geography plays a critical role in how retailers have evolved and thrived over time. National chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Aldi continue to hold a significant share in the market, yet the region features many small […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market Continues Family Legacy
Tom Leonard, owner of Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market in Richmond, Virginia, learned many life lessons from his father, including how to succeed in the food business. He said his father, the late Stew Leonard, had two rules, which literally were set in stone. “Rule one, the customer’s always right. Rule two, if they’re wrong, reread […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Thanksgiving Celebration And Laws Of The Harvest
Thanksgiving, as we know it today, is rooted in a harvest feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in 1621. This marked a moment of giving thanks for a successful harvest after a tough year. The Pilgrims, who had settled at Plymouth Rock, were ill-prepared for the harsh New England winter. They suffered from […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Midwest, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Making Name For Themselves In Illinois
While established chains such as Albertsons, Kroger and Jewel-Osco continue to hold significant market share in Illinois, independent grocers are a growing segment. Armed with a passion for food, commitment to community and knack for innovation, they are reimagining the shopping experience and carving out a niche that is reshaping the way people shop. Among […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
North Carolina’s Business-Friendly Environment, Efforts Draw National Accolades
For the fifth year in a row, CNBC has named North Carolina one of the top three states in which to do business. Gov. Roy Cooper attributed the ranking to the continued investment the state is making in its skilled workforce and thriving economy. He added that major investments by companies across all sectors are […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Oklahoma’s Super C Mart Committed To Communities, Growth
Super C Mart is a progressive independent grocer. Though its eight stores operate in predominantly rural areas of southern Oklahoma, it has an app with digital coupons, sells sushi in one of its stores and its top two leaders are women. Nikki Carver succeeded her father as president and CEO in 2020, and COO Angela […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National
Time For Independent Grocers, Their Communities To Give Thanks For Each Other
Being the heart of the community takes on a deeper meaning at this time of year, as the fall and winter holidays traditionally center around the family table, and independent grocers bear a great responsibility in helping folks fill that table. This year, as Thanksgiving approaches, we should pause to consider our fellow Americans impacted […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Retailers Find Influx Of Carolinas Newcomers With No Pre-Existing Loyalty ‘Fair Game’
The Shelby Report recently checked in with Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, to learn about the key issues poised to impact the region in the coming months. The populations of North Carolina and South Carolina continue to grow. With that, so does the number of grocery stores. Most food retailers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Southwest
‘Regressive’ Grocery Tax Removal Hailed As Largest Tax Cut In OK History
On Aug. 29, the 4.5 percent Oklahoma state sales tax on groceries was eliminated. The bill was passed in February during the state legislative session. It is the largest tax cut in state history, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the office of Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, which said the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Houchens Food Group Honors Food Giant MS Store Managers In Hattiesburg
Houchens Food Group’s Store Manager Appreciation Awards events continued in August for both Food Giant divisions. Events were held in Biloxi and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Dothan, Alabama. A luncheon was held Aug. 15 at Doubletree by Hilton in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Special speakers included Stephanie Reid from Shelby Publishing, Shane Allison from Alliance Retail Group and […]