Posted inExceptional Independents, Featured News, National, News

60-Plus Grocers Honored At Annual Exceptional Independents Awards

LAS VEGAS – Shelby Publishing presented its annual Exceptional Independents Awards on Feb. 2 during the NGA Show at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Convention Center, recognizing more than 60 independent grocery operators from across the country for their innovation, dedication and community leadership. Now in its fourth year, the awards program showcases grocers whose […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News

Independent Grocers Face Pricing Pressures, Rural Store Closures In ND

Independent grocers across North Dakota face mounting pressure from several directions, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “Independent grocers are being squeezed by big-box stores and food manufacturers,” Dyste said. “Unfair pricing is the main problem driving consumers to big-box stores.” The challenges come as North Dakota’s economy undergoes […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, News, West

Instacart Executive Touts Benefits Of Storefront Pro E-Commerce Platform

The Shelby Report of the West recently visited with Merrick Rosner, Instacart’s head of revenue and solution sales, independent grocery, to learn more about the company’s e-commerce platform Storefront Pro. What is involved in training employees on how to use e-commerce platforms like Storefront Pro? Storefront Pro gives grocers of all sizes the ability to […]

Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, West

AFMA: Grocers Weather Supply Chain Uncertainties, Keep Focus On Customers

Lisa Bednar, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, took time out of her busy legislative season to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the West’s Lorrie Griffith about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry.   We’re coming out of a year that saw a new administration in the White House, a […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West

Vallarta Moving To Broader Appeal – ‘We’ve Got To Give Everybody Something’

In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Market Profile, News, West

Grocery Development Continues Around Cities Across Arizona

As population and construction projects continue to grow in number in Arizona, the grocery industry is responding with growth of its own. Following is a roundup of some planned and recent store openings. On Jan. 12, Aldi announced its plans for 2026 and beyond, including 180 new stores as well as three new distribution centers. […]

Posted inRetailer of the Year, Anniversary Issues, News, West

Bringing Public Company Discipline To Longtime Family-Owned Business

In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]