Houchens Food Group recently unveiled a new program, the Store Manager Appreciation Awards, to recognize the work of its grocery store leadership, whom it considers its “unsung heroes.” Consisting of 18 lunch banquets divided by region and banner, the events include individual recognition of store managers as well as a selection of other awards. In […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Retail Grocery Industry Across New York Undergoing Recalibration
It has taken a while, but the grocery industry in New York is beginning to return to normal levels. While this is positive news, grocers in the state still face some formidable challenges. Mike Durant, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York, pointed out that grocers in the state are experiencing similar […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Traceability Resource Center Gives Independent Grocers Food Safety Boost
September is National Food Safety Education Month, a perfect opportunity for independent grocers to pay extra attention to and raise awareness of an issue that’s already a top priority in their daily business. This boost in awareness is particularly timely in the wake of a recent listeria outbreak affecting deli meats and the presence of […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food Lion Focuses On ‘Easy, Fresh And Affordable’ Experience
Food Lion, a grocery store chain with 1,109 stores across 10 states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S., remains focused on providing an “easy, fresh and affordable” shopping experience for its customers. Key initiatives include store remodels, technology upgrades and community engagement through the company’s Food Lion Feeds program. The company has been named The […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Louisiana Grocers Grapple With Rising Costs, Challenges From New Players
Experts tracking the supermarket industry agree that the past year has been a challenging one for Louisiana grocers. The rising cost of food and other essentials is squeezing their profit margins and consumers’ budgets. Responding to this, Louisiana grocery stores are working hard to absorb some of these cost increases to keep prices affordable. “Many […]
Posted inBakery News, Feature, Midwest
St Pierre Highlights Success Bringing French Brioche To U.S.
St Pierre continues to grow across the U.S., helped in part by the backing of Grupo Bimbo, according to Rachel Wells, commercial director. In a recent interview with The Griffin Report, Wells recounted how the company was acquired by Grupo Bimbo in October 2022. She said that development has allowed St Pierre to retain its […]
Posted inFeature, Aldi, Corporate Store News, Private Label Brands
Aldi’s Supplier Ties Fuel Product Development Efforts
One of the keys to Aldi being able to keep prices low, quality high and on-trend products rolling in is its strong relationships with suppliers. Those relationships came up frequently during a recent store tour conducted by Shaun O’Keefe, regional VP at the company’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center. The tour, conducted for journalists at the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Edwards Food Giant’s Remodel Offers ‘Neighborhood Feel’ In N. Little Rock
The new Edwards Food Giant that opened in Lakewood Village in North Little Rock in early April was described by one observer as “Publix come to Arkansas, to be honest with you.” That’s high praise, as Publix is widely known for its clean, well-stocked, well-run grocery stores. Edwards Food Giant took the place of the […]
Posted inPackaging News, Feature, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Focused On Togetherness, Butterball Rolls Out New-Look Packaging For Portfolio
Butterball, a provider of turkey products, recently unveiled a comprehensive redesign of its retail packaging, aiming to enhance brand visibility, consumer engagement and overall shopping experience. Rebecca Welch, director of retail marketing at Butterball, talked to The Shelby Report about what was behind the strategy. She noted that Butterball’s last retail portfolio redesign took place […]
Posted inWakefern, Market Profile, Northeast
The Fresh Grocer Making New York Debut With Long Island Store
New York has received its first The Fresh Grocer, which opened Aug. 23 in the Long Island town of Oakdale. For residents of the tight-knit coastal community, especially during the summer influx that swells the population by 20 percent, The Fresh Grocer is a welcome sight. The new addition to the Lighthouse Commons shopping center […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, Harps Food Stores, National
Independent Grocers Must Always Keep Looking Forward
NGA’s slogan is “At the heart of the community,” reflecting the important position that independent grocery stores have in so many communities around the country. I’d go out on a limb and suggest a secondary tagline, “Always looking forward,” because a significant part of NGA’s mission is to help its members prepare for whatever lies […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
Home Of Cash Saver, Castle Retail Group Aims To Be Memphis’ Low-Price Leader
Castle Retail Group operates five grocery stores, all within the city limits of Memphis. Three of the locations operate under the Cash Saver banner. Ranging in size from 30,000 to 69,000 square feet, they operate as a cost plus-10-percent deep-discount price format. CRG also owns two smaller footprint neighborhood stores. High Point Grocery, which opened in […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
TGCSA’s Ikard Recaps State Legislative Session, Leading With Swipe Fees Fight
The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA), to learn more about the legislation and public policy updates impacting retailers in the Volunteer State. Calling the 2024 legislative session “quite busy,” Ikard said TGCSA spent many long hours advancing the […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Aldi, Amazon Fresh, Feature, Southeast, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Mama Geraldine’s Snacks Returning To Grocery Shelves After Plant Burned
Following months of rebuilding after tragedy struck in September 2023, Mama Geraldine’s Cheese Straws and Bodacious Snacks is back in business. Cathy Cunningham, company founder, talked about her journey with The Shelby Report at the 2024 IDDBA Show. At a dinner last fall with some girlfriends in downtown Jasper, Georgia, Cunningham said she received a call […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Rouses Market, Southeast
Focus On Local, First-To-Market Approach Sets Rouses Apart Along Gulf Coast
Louisiana-based Rouses Markets is one of the fastest-growing family-owned companies in the country. It also is one of the top privately held companies and largest employers along the Gulf Coast. Founded in 1960 by Anthony J. Rouse Sr., the company has expanded from its humble roots as a single store operator in Houma, Louisiana, to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
EBT Chip Cards: What Grocers And POS Providers Need To Know
In an effort to modernize EBT and reduce fraud, multiple states are planning to migrate their EBT cards from magnetic stripes to EMV chip cards. Starting with California and Oklahoma, states are planning to issue chip cards beginning as soon as August 2024. It is important that POS systems are tested to ensure uninterrupted processing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Market Profile, Midwest
Hy-Vee Continues To Grow Business Units Across Operating Area
Home state grocer Hy-Vee has been making news with its proposed growth into the southern U.S. But it’s also growing in the Midwest. The West Des Moines-based company, which has 550 “business units” – primarily retail stores – in its operating area, recently grew to nine states with the biggest acquisition in company history. Its […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, West
New Research Shows Effect Of WAFC Programs
Sponsored content By Pat Posey, chief operating officer of the Western Association of Food Chains Talk to graduates of the WAFC’s Food Industry Management and Retail Management Certificate programs, and you will hear story after story of life-altering personal and professional growth. We know these inspirational anecdotes are the rule, not the exception — and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Feature, Southwest
John Soules Foods Helping Retailers Differentiate
The Shelby Report recently caught up with John Soules, co-CEO of John Soules Foods. Established in 1975, the Tyler, Texas-based company is a formulator, manufacturer and marketer of ready-to-cook and fully cooked beef and chicken products as well as fully cooked breaded chicken. It has production facilities in Tyler, Texas; Gainesville, Georgia; and Valley, Alabama. […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Dollar General, Feature, Food Lion, National
Self-Checkouts A ‘Double-Edged Sword’ For Grocery Customers, Retailers
Self-checkouts in grocery stores present both benefits and challenges for the retailers that utilize them. In the benefits column, they allow customers buying just a handful of items to not get in a line behind someone doing two weeks’ worth of shopping. They also lessen the labor and eventually payroll burden for retailers, many of […]