Publix was founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, by George W. Jenkins (Mr. George) on the concept of community first. Executive Chairman Todd Jones said while food is the “backbone” of the company, “we wanted to make sure that we’ll take care of our customers and our communities.” Talking with Shelby Publishing President and […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Feature, Independent Store News, Southeast
Kentucky New Territory For Growth Leader Publix
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix has been named Shelby Publishing’s 2023 Growth Leader. Now operating more than 1,360 stores, the employee-owned company has opened 45 new locations this year and completed more than 100 remodels. Executive Chairman Todd Jones said Publix is averaging 40-50 new stores per year. The company has recently entered a new market, Kentucky, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Wyoming Remains ‘Good Place To Do Business’
Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the U.S. in total area but is the least populated, with about 581,000 residents. It does not impose an income tax, with local governments relying heavily on property tax collections. More than 60 percent of those revenues come from mineral production. The majority of property taxes are directed […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest, Sustainability News
Fareway Committed To Community, Giving Back In Many Ways
By Carol Radice As a Midwest grocery company, being a partner in the community is important to the leadership team at Fareway. From supporting volunteerism to environmental stewardship, the grocer is heavily devoted to the neighborhoods in which it operates. Some companies simply donate money to community causes, but at Fareway giving back and community […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
Post-Pandemic Holiday Presents Opportunity For Independent Grocers
Humans are social animals. As a species, we crave interaction with others. And the absence of connection is so emotionally crippling, we use solitary confinement as a severe criminal punishment. Children born in isolation fail to develop emotionally and physically and often are so scared they can never integrate into society as adults. And primates […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest
Labor-Saving Measures Allows Fareway’s Supply Chain To Shine
By Carol Radice As a company that competes against some formidable grocery chains, many of which are much larger, making every penny count is critical. Fareway’s finely-tuned supply chain plays a critical role in helping accomplish this. From its labor-saving and cost-cutting measures to its impressive, modern warehouse, logistics operation and self-distribution model, the company […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest
Fareway CEO: Customer Experiences, In-Store Interactions Key To Building Trust
by Carol Radice A reputation of offering top-notch customer service is important for most retailers, but for Fareway this the heart of what makes it stand apart. From its famous meat counter with packaged and cut-to-order meats to car carryout service and everything in between, Fareway focuses on making the customer experience a special one. […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Independent Store News, Midwest
Train And Retain – Fareway Investing ‘In Our People’
By Carol Radice Throughout its many years in business, Fareway has worked hard to establish a culture that encourages and motivates employees to do well. One could say, in fact, that being an employee-focused company is a central part of Fareway’s overall store mission. According to Garrett Piklapp, president, Fareway’s people, extensive training programs and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
Food Retailers ‘Pivotal’ In Virginia’s Economic Resilience
Virginia’s economy has shown resilience and improvement compared to last year, according to Melissa Assalone, executive director of the Virginia Food Industry Association. “Despite ongoing challenges and a reduction in federal money coming into Virginia, there are positive economic indicators such as job growth and increased consumer spending,” she said. Assalone noted the grocery sector […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
By The Numbers, An Advocacy Review And Policy Outlook For Independent Grocers
With an election on the horizon in which the White House and control of Congress are on the line, 2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year. Pending legislation and regulatory changes in the coming year are sure to influence business operations, supply chain management and consumer expectations – and indeed, they’re influencing NGA’s […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Rooted In Iowa, Fareway Expanding Across Midwest
By Carol Radice Fareway opened its first grocery store in 1938 in Boone, Iowa. While much has changed at this Midwest chain over the past 85 years, many things have remained the same. The leadership team – headed by CEO Reynolds Cramer, who is the fourth generation in his family to run the company – has […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Feature, National
IGA CEO Says Quality, Marketing Help Lift Private Label Offerings
The perception of private label or store brand products in the grocery industry has changed over the years. Many shoppers think of private labels as items that sit next to national brands on the grocery shelf but cost less. IGA President and CEO John Ross views them as “anything that you manufacture or sell to your […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Maryland’s Budget Deficit May Hinder Business Improvements
While holiday spending has been bolstered by lower food prices in Maryland, the state’s upcoming legislative session could bring major changes, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. MFIC is focused on three major issues for the upcoming session, which begins in January. Across the 90-day session, it hopes to see […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Northeast
New Jersey’s Grocery Industry Strong, ‘Uber Competitive’
The economy in New Jersey is a tale of two cities, according to Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council. New Jersey was recently ranked as the most improved state for business, climbing 23 spots to 19th in America’s Top States for Business rankings by CNBC. This past year, it saw […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
Labor, Retail Crime Challenge Wisconsin Grocers
Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said the Badger State is not immune to challenges such as inflation and price increases. “It affects us just as much as everybody else.” Scholz noted the dairy industry in the state remains strong and is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. “Overall, I […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Thrifty Foods Prospers Post-Pandemic In Wheatland, WY
While Jodi Axford never imagined she would own and run a small independent grocery store in rural Wyoming, she has found a place and a purpose there. The owner of Thrifty Foods in Wheatland moved to the small town with her then-husband and two children. He had been a store manager for Cub Foods in Minnesota, […]
Posted inProduce News, Feature, Southeast
Former Georgia Ag Commissioner: Branding Most Important For Produce Firms
Gary Black, Georgia’s former agriculture commissioner, says producers and retailers should look to branding as the future of selling produce. Black, now a founding and managing partner of On Point Strategies consulting firm, has a number of produce-producing clients, including Lake Park, Georgia-based Corbett Brothers Farms. The company has been producing fruits and vegetables commercially […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
IRMA Exec: Future Of Illinois Grocers Hangs In Balance
Merchants in Illinois are facing a problem 15 years in the making. In 2008, the Illinois legislature unanimously passed the Biometric Information Privacy Act, which ensures that private companies are prohibited from collecting biometric data unless given express permission, according to Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. The law requires […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Coborn's, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Upper Midwest AWG Division Providing Opportunities For Growth
AWG’s Upper Midwest division opened in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 2022. It is comprised of two facilities – a 300,000-square-foot dry facility and a state-of-the-art, 330,000-square-foot fresh/frozen facility. Emile Breaux, SVP, chief sales and support officer for AWG, said the expansion into the new geography just made sense. “We knew that there were a number […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
Strong Executive Team Ready To Lead AWG To Future Success
When AWG President and CEO David Smith retires at the end of the year, his successor will step into the leadership role well prepared to steer the company into the future. Dan Funk, incoming president, has been working with Smith for several months preparing for the transition. Even before being named as Smith’s successor, the […]