Shaun O’Keefe, Aldi regional VP based out of the company’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center, conducted a tour for journalists in mid-July at the company’s store on Peachtree Road in Atlanta’s Buckhead area. Aldi currently operates 81 stores in Georgia, with 50-55 of them in the Atlanta area, depending on your definition of what the Atlanta […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Market Profile, Southwest
USMCA Gives Grocers Wider Diversity Of Produce, Availability Year-Round
The United States-Mexico border stretches for more than 1,254 miles, the longest international border in the continental U.S. But it’s not just a physical line – it’s a vital economic artery, pumping billions of dollars in trade between Texas and Mexico. While binational trade relations between the two countries have historically been strong, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Super G Mart Serves As Meeting Ground For Different Cultures
Super G Mart is the largest international supermarket in North Carolina, offering spices, produce, grocery and household items from across the globe. Paul Han, VP of operations, spoke with The Shelby Report of the Southeast about the company during the recent Carolinas Food Industry Council conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The first Super G […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, Southeast
Acosta Group Execs Talk Key Trends, Challenges
As the landscape of fresh foods continues to evolve, two executives with Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta Group shared some of their insights with The Shelby Report of the Southeast. Kathy Risch, SVP of shopper insights and thought leadership, and John DuBois, VP of fresh foods, were presenters at the recent IDDBA Show and talked about key […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, National
Toshiba Executive: AI Powering Improvements For Self-Checkouts
Self-checkout systems have revolutionized the grocery shopping experience, offering numerous advantages for both customers and retailers. By empowering shoppers to scan and bag their own items, these systems reduce wait times, allowing customers to move through the checkout process with greater speed and convenience. This increased efficiency not only benefits customers but also frees up […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, Meijer, National
Driving Produce Sales As Parents Prepare For 2024-25 School Year
A new study by The Foundation for Fresh Produce reveals most children are not eating enough fruits and vegetables every day. To boost consumption, the foundation has launched a month-long campaign, “Hacks for Healthy Back-to-School Habits.” Designed to promote simple and engaging food, cooking and meal prep “hacks,” the effort aims to instill healthy eating […]
Posted inFeature, Home Page Latest News, Meijer, National, The Kroger Co.
Back-To-School Spending Shifts As Parents Sacrifice Loyalty To Stay Within Budget
It may be the dog days of summer, but many families have already made a dent in their back-to-school shopping. With about two months of spending under their belts, some interesting trends are beginning to emerge. Chief among them is that increasing economic pressure is pushing consumers to adjust spending patterns, from how much they […]
Posted inExecutive News, Feature, Lowes Foods, Southeast
Lowes Foods Redefines Traditional Grocery Experience For Growth, Innovation
Lowes Foods is on a mission to redefine the traditional grocery store experience. The North Carolina-based retailer, a division of Alex Lee, is an entertainment destination centered around food, according to Tim Lowe, head of Alex Lee retail and president of Lowes Foods. Lowe spoke to The Shelby Report of the Southeast during the recent Carolinas Food Industry Council […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
NGA Gathering ‘A Must’ For Independent Executives
We’re living in an economy that shows positive numbers, though some still feel financial strain. Amid an election year filled with uncertainties and political divides, independent grocers may feel challenged in delivering service and value to their communities. However, NGA is here to support them through these times, helping them move forward with confidence and […]
Posted inBakery News, Feature, Food Service News, Northeast
Rich’s Highlights Ready Cakes, Portfolio Of Hispanic Products
Rich’s, a family-owned company providing foodservice and retail products to in-store bakery, deli and prepared foods, showcased some of its new products and innovations at the recent IDDBA Show in Houston. Rachel McCrone, director of customer marketing for in-store bakery and deli for Rich’s, talked with The Shelby Report’s Maggie Kaeppel on the show floor. […]
Posted inBakery News, Feature, Northeast
Bimbo Bakehouse Lines Designed For Making Meals Memorable
A current that seemed to run through the IDDBA show this year was looking at food as more than just sustenance; instead, as an experience, an occasion, a part of one’s life that brings enjoyment. Bimbo Bakehouse’s Dana Strain and Brandi Unchester shared some breads from the company’s portfolio that are more experience-focused. The company […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Midwest
Houchens Food Group Honoring Top Store Managers
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 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
With New Site In Bozeman, Town & Country Foods Continues Expansion In Montana
In an industry often marked by consolidation and competition from national chains, Town & Country Foods, a Montana-based independent grocery store chain, stands out as a beacon of growth. The company has defied industry trends, expanding its footprint across the state while many competitors struggle. Founded in 1966 by Andy Perlinski in Livingston, Montana, Town […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Mastering Pricing Operations: Strategies For Independent Grocers
by Caitlin Orosz In today’s grocery market, every penny counts, especially when you’re operating with a lean team. Even if you have fewer stores or fewer SKUs than some competitors, it’s a struggle to relabel shelves with pricing updates. You can maintain a competitive edge and sell more units. You can drive profitable growth with […]
Posted inPackaging News, Feature, Midwest
Anchor’s ‘Packaging That Performs’ Good For Ops, Consumer Experience
Packaging is one of those things that isn’t always the center of attention but can play an important supporting role. Kurt Richars, director of growth and marketing for St. Louis-based Anchor Packaging, said his company focuses on providing customers with “packaging that performs.” Richars, speaking with The Shelby Report shortly after the IDDBA Show in […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, Midwest
Harvest Health Foods Leveraging AI To Make Best Use Of Technology
Harvest Health Foods, a family-owned grocery chain in Michigan, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize inventory management and online shopping experiences, according to Bill Reiffer, the company’s VP of purchasing. Prior to becoming an ECRS customer in 2015, Harvest Health Foods employees were pricing each item individually. “It was our first point of sale,” […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National, Snacks Brands
The Hershey Co. Highlights New Retail Capabilities For Boosting In-Store Sales
The Hershey Co. is “perfecting perfection” with its Reese’s Big Cup, utilizing two new technologies designed to “drive decisions, track performance, collect actionable data and boost sales.” Momin Bhatti, Hershey’s associate manager of corporate communications, visited with The Shelby Report during the recent Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis, sharing how the company is using […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Cosentino's Food Stores, Midwest, Retailer of the Year
Cosentino’s Cultivating Community Through Giving, Local Partnerships
Being a part of the community is one of the core missions at Cosentino’s. From schools and sports teams to town holiday events, the Cosentino Charity Foundation helps support many groups and causes. The company also is a key supporter of local businesses, featuring many of their products in-store. As most philanthropic groups tend to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Aldi, Meijer, Midwest, SpartanNash
Via ‘Infrastructure For Innovation,’ Michigan Leaders Plan To Foster Economic Growth
Michigan’s economy is expected to grow by 1.8 percent in 2024 – slightly higher than 2023 but lower than the national economy – according to Comerica Bank. But state leaders are not sitting still; growth plans are in place. On May 30, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, delivering the keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference, announced […]
Posted inCenter Store, Feature, Northeast
Catania Oils Works To Meet Demand, Keep Prices Steady
Catania Oils reported a move to a larger facility as well as packaging and product innovation at IDDBA 2024. Anne Whitney, marketing generalist for the Ayer, Massachusetts-based producer of oils, told The Shelby Report’s Maggie Kaeppel that the company is seeing increased demand, which led to the move to the new 215,000-square-foot warehouse last September. […]