Kansas City, Kansas-based Balls Food Stores (BFS) – The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year – is embarking on an ambitious new chapter, marked by employee ownership, a strategic growth initiative and deep commitment to its teammates. The independent grocer, which operates 25 stores under the Hen House, Price Chopper, Sun […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted inFeature, Southwest
Harnessing Power Of Latino Market In Southwest
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder, principal consultant, PDG Insights In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Spending power among this diverse […]
Posted inFeature, Equipment & Technology, West
Simbe’s Tally Robot Revolutionizing Grocery Retail With AI, Automation
San Francisco-based Simbe has spent the past decade working to digitize physical stores, with a mission to enhance visibility and operational efficiency for retailers. Brad Bogolea, Simbe’s co-founder and CEO, recently spoke with The Shelby Report about the company’s evolving role in the retail technology landscape. Simbe is widely recognized in the grocery industry for […]
Posted inFeature, Guest Contributors, Southeast
Florida Leads In Navigating Southeast Latino Grocery Landscape
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder, principal consultant, PDG Insights In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. In this article, we focus on the Southeast. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Destination Grocery Store To Open At New Address In Marathon, TX
Some grocers are born into the business and some choose it. Some just seem to have it in their blood and are able to create not just stores, but destinations. Sam Stavinoha has created such a place in the tiny West Texas town of Marathon, a stop on the way south to Big Bend National […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
West Texas Economy Growing But Still Relies On Oil/Gas Fortunes
Gary Huddleston has a rich history in the grocery business, serving nearly 45 years as director of consumer affairs at Kroger and today continuing his service as a grocery industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association. TRA represents retail companies across Texas, including national, regional, state and main street grocery, mass, home improvement, pharmacy and […]
Posted in, Guest Contributors, National, Online Grocery Technology
Unlocking Power Of Retail Media Networks For Independent Retailers
by Mark Baum, chief collaboration officer, SVP, industry affairs, FMI – The Food Industry Association Independent retailers have long enjoyed the loyalty of their customers, offering personalized service and a unique shopping experience. This deep-rooted consumer trust is their greatest asset – and now, retail media networks present an opportunity to transform that loyalty into […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Midwest
Jim’s SuperValu Thrives In Rural ND With Community-focused Innovation
For nearly 40 years, Jim’s SuperValu in Park River, North Dakota, has been a cornerstone of its rural community. Co-owner Diana Hahn, who has spent decades working in the store her parents purchased in 1986, understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with running an independent grocery store in a small town. “My dad […]