Welcome to our 2nd Annual Exceptional Independents Award (EIA) Winners digital edition. We are incredibly pleased to highlight our winners who attended The Shelby Report’s EIA ceremony at the NGA Show in Vegas on March 11, 2024. This event is Shelby Publishing’s opportunity to highlight those companies who have demonstrated true, industry changing innovations. Independent […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, National
Combined Capabilities Of Mercatus Create Connected Ecosystem
Relationshop recently finalized the merger of two providers of e-commerce solutions for independent and regional grocers – Mercatus Technologies and Stor.ai. The new company is operating as Mercatus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Relationshop Inc. Galen Walters, CEO of Relationshop, spoke with The Shelby Report’s Jan Meade. He said Stor.ai, which is based in Tel […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Strategic Partnerships Key To Surprising And Delighting
Are independent grocers really independent? Let’s take a look at NGA’s own definition. Independent community grocers are … Entrepreneurs? Check Passionately committed to their customers, their associates and the markets they serve? Check Differentiate in the marketplace based on the needs of the local community, while showing a strong commitment to civic life and providing […]
Posted inEmerging Leaders, National
Nominees Sought For Emerging Leaders Awards Program
Nominations are CLOSING SOON for Shelby Publishing’s Emerging Leaders awards program, which will recognize the next generation of leaders in the retail food industry – including retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers/vendors and solutions providers. This awards program will also honor all leaders in diversity and inclusion under the human resources umbrella. Shelby will recognize all emerging […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
New Hampshire Grocery Industry Gets Creative With Employee Shortages
As a whole, New Hampshire had a good year economically in 2023, providing a healthy runway for 2024, according to Kevin Daigle, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Grocers Association. He said the state’s workforce returned to pre-pandemic levels, and population growth continues to outpace the New England region. “Unemployment remains low and economic […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Independents Impacted By Warm Winter In North Dakota
Weather can greatly influence shopper behavior and that was the case in North Dakota this winter. The state, which is normally cold and snowy from November through March, has been exactly opposite of what its 780,000 residents typically experience. John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association, pointed out that the change in […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
iFoodDS Gives Firms Confidence Their Data Is Secure, Yet Sharable
Shelby Publishing’s Bob Reeves recently visited with Allyson Sharron, VP of marketing for Seattle, Washington-based iFoodDS, who spoke about how the company offers connected traceability, quality and food safety solutions for the fresh food supply chain. “We help grocery retailers, foodservice operators, distributors and their suppliers optimize quality and reduce food waste by giving them […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Report: Nevada Has Second Highest Average Weekly Grocery Spend
Nevada has a population of about 3.2 million, having grown at an annualized 1.4 percent over the five years to 2023, according to IBIS World. The Silver State’s gross state product in 2023 reached $170.1 billion, growing 17.5 percent over the five years to 2023. Nevada’s market size in the supermarket and grocery industry was […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Fly-in For Fair Competition Puts Face On Issues Important To Independents
An association is only as strong as its members. That’s why NGA is blessed to have members who are so generous with their time and effort that they put toward advocating for our industry in the halls of government. There is strength in numbers, and even with as many as we have, there’s always room […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Independent Grocers Helping West Texas Weather Challenges
Independent grocers in West Texas have certainly weathered some challenging times as of late. From supply chain and e-commerce issues to inflation, labor and financial constraints, grocers in the Amarillo, El Paso and Lubbock regions have been dealing with a significant amount of upheaval. Chad Collen, director of retail experience/sales for Grocers Supply, said the […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Beverage News, Feature, Northeast
PepsiCo Celebrating Anniversary With ‘Faster, Stronger, Better’ Approach
New York-based PepsiCo prides itself on the diverse portfolio of its iconic brands. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the company recently rolled out a new logo to refresh the visual identity of the brand. It also advertised some of its new innovations, including Mountain Dew Baja Blast, during the 2024 Super Bowl. It has been a […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National, Sustainability News
AI ‘On The Tip Of Every Tongue’ Within Grocery Industry
Technology, sustainability, asset protection and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s traceability rule are among areas of concern for the grocery industry, according to Doug Baker, VP of industry relations at FMI – The Food Industry Association. Baker talked with The Griffin Report’s Maggie Kaeppel during the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. Baker said […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Alabama’s Grocery Tax Poised For Further Reduction This Year
After more than a decade of hard work, the reduction of Alabama’s grocery tax is finally a reality, according to Alabama Grocers Association President Ellie Taylor. Act 2023-554 passed the Alabama legislature, and on Sept. 1, 2023, the grocery tax rate was reduced from 4 percent to 3 percent. Alabama now joins the 47 other […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Krause’s Market Prides Itself On Variety For Shoppers
Kari Olson and her, brother Dalles Jr., who operate Krause’s Market, know a thing or two about running a grocery store in a rural area. In one form or another, Olson and her family have been in the retail food business in North Dakota since World War II. The family’s first store opened 80 years […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Guest Contributors, National
Recognizing Lifelong Service Of Grocery Industry Executive
By Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO, FMI In February, we celebrate Supermarket Employee Day, which recognizes the unsung heroes within our industry who feed and foster communities. Hopefully, some of these amazing people will be inspired to become the next generation of executive leaders, as evidenced by history and how many of our board […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, Grocery Store Equipment, Northeast
Hershey Shares Insights On Front-End Queuing, Self-Checkout
Nicole Capes, senior manager of retail experience with The Hershey Co., said 60 percent of shoppers prefer self-checkout because they feel like it is faster. To learn what works best for an optimal queue, Hershey spent countless hours observing shoppers in self-checkout areas in different retail environments, including small and large format, grocery, mass market […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Southwest, Vista Markets
Vista Markets Serves Evolving El Paso With Plentiful Perishables
Vista Markets started out in the early 1980s as a small, standalone bakery in El Paso, Texas. At the time, it was operated by owner Mike Piña and just two employees. Through the years, Mike’s brothers, Oscar and Armando, joined the business. In 1987, they opened their first small supermarket with a bakery. Today, Vista […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Association News, Home Page Latest News, National
Shelby Publishing Salutes Independents At EIA Reception
The 141 recipients of Shelby Publishing’s second annual Exceptional Independents Awards (EIA) were recognized March 11 at a reception during the NGA Show at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. Accompanied by friends and family, 64 of the honorees were on hand, filling the Summit Room on the show floor. Addressing the crowd, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Association News, Giant Food, Northeast
Delaware Known For Strong Economy, Business Friendliness
Delaware is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. According to U.S. Census Bureau, the population of The First State increased 10.2 percent from 2010 to 2020. And, current estimates show the number of people moving to the state has continued to climb in the past three years. People are coming to Delaware for […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
Innit Using AI, Expert Info To Create Online Shopping Experience
“What’s in it?” Many customers ask this same question when looking for products and recipes. Kevin Brown, CEO and co-founder of California-based Innit, said his personalized food intelligence platform aims to answer that query. “We wanted to start with that question,” he said. “And that informs a lot of what we’re doing around our technology, […]