Shelby Originals | In-Depth Food Industry Stories & Analysis
Posted inMarket Profile, Featured News, Midwest, News

Supermarkets Lean On Agility As Weather, Gas Prices Reshape MI Retail Economy

At this time last year, tariffs dominated the conversation among Michigan retailers. This spring, the pressures look different: severe weather across the northern part of the state, gas prices pulling extra spending money to the pump and a retail index that has fallen to 43.7 from 59.4 a year ago, according to Victoria Veda, VP […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Featured News, National, News

Crossroads: Future Of Independent Grocery – Growing Next Generation Of Owners

I recently had the privilege of speaking at the IGA Coca-Cola Institute in Atlanta. In the room were some of the brightest young leaders in independent grocery – selected by their organizations because of their talent, commitment and potential. Representing stores and communities from around the world, they and those like them are the future […]

Posted inGrocery Research, Feature, Featured News, National, News

Ibotta Report: Don’t Wait Until August For Back-To-School Launch

If a retailer’s back-to-school offers launch in August, it may be too late. By then, shoppers have already set their budgets, built lists and decided which brands they are willing to consider. The season may look most active in late summer, but the window to influence what makes it into the basket opens earlier. New […]

Posted inFeatured News, Feature, Grocery News, Independent Store News, International Foods, News, Southeast

Hispanic Supermarket In ATL Winning World Cup Summer

A visit to Talpa Supermercados in metro Atlanta shows how experiential retail, fresh departments and cultural connection can turn a soccer summer into sustained traffic. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11-July 19, co-hosted for the first time by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with Atlanta among the 11 U.S. host cities. […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Featured News, Finance News, Grocery Store Equipment, National, News

Hidden Profit: The Power Of Knowing Your Store

My colleague Peter Cooke and I are approaching a combined 40 years of helping food retailers improve their operations and, ultimately, their profit. For many of these years, this was represented by best sustainable practices or a similar vernacular. Regardless of the outside wrapper, we helped real retailers – real people – identify and capture […]