Making sure no one in South Dakota goes hungry is not just a passion for RF Buche. He considers it a moral obligation. It’s why the fourth-generation president of the GF Buche Co. – which operates Buche Foods supermarkets and Gus Stop convenience stores among its retail ventures – strives to make it easier for folks […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
At NGA’s Executive Conference, Future Belongs To Independent Grocers
The COVID-19 pandemic threw the nation for a loop, dropping us all into a new world that’s still reeling from record inflation, supply chain pressures, political turmoil and global conflict. Through it all, independent grocers have delivered sustenance, stability and support to their communities. As the post-pandemic landscape unfolds, NGA continues to offer guidance to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
NC-Based Lowes Foods Poised To Enter New Market
Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based Lowes Foods is set to bring the Lowes banner to Georgia through the acquisition of Foothills IGA, which serves Dawson and Pickens counties. Lowes President Tim Lowe attended a July 27 retirement party for departing owners Jeff and Sandy Downing. Beforehand, The Shelby Report was able visit with Lowe about the expectations […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
End Of An Era For Foothills IGA In Georgia
Nestled at the base of the Appalachian Mountains in northern Georgia sits the aptly named Foothills IGA, which has been serving the nearby communities of Big Canoe and Marble Hill for 21 years. Former owners Jeff and Sandy Downing, who recently retired, committed themselves to exemplary customer service, quality food and connection with their customers. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Minimum Wage, Tax Refunds Top Of Retailer’s Minds In New York
Retailers in New York are about to see their labor costs increase thanks to new legislation that will result in a gradual minimum wage increase statewide. Mike Durant, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York, said the recently concluded state assembly session stirred “heated debate” over the measure. As it stands, the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Workforce Top Issue Facing Employers In Iowa As Economy Improves
A second-quarter Economic Outlook Survey by the Iowa Business Council reports a “strong confidence” in the state’s economy. This represents an increase in optimism across all areas measured by the IBC compared to results from the previous quarter. The report measures member expectations for sales, capital spending and employment for the next six months. The […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Northeast
Powered By Produce, Met Fresh Supermarkets Serving NYC In Style
Danny Hamdan was working in Florida, when he got a call one day in 2011 from his uncle, Omar, who after 25 years working in the grocery business wanted to move into ownership. He wanted Hamdan to come home and help him. “So we opened up our first store, and then the third and the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
Exploring How Retail Grocery Can Tap Into Coming Benefits Of AI
Remember when the buzz was all about category management? E-commerce? Block chain? Big data? Well, the new chatter is all about artificial intelligence, or AI. But this time the breakthrough tech is traveling through everything – business, consumers, governments and even artists. Unlike those other transformative technology waves, AI is something we can experience and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Report: Massachusetts’ Economy Sending Mixed Messages
Massachusetts’ economy appears to be slowing, according to a review of data in May by the MassBenchmarks Board, which also noted a number of growing concerns for 2023, along with some better-than-expected news in payroll, employment and demographics. MassBenchmarks is an initiative of the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. […]
Posted inDeli News, Feature, West
FreshRealm Focused On Ready-To-Go Meal Solutions
San Clemente, California-based FreshRealm offers fresh meal solutions that range from ready-to-heat items to low-effort meal kits and ready-to-cook products. Michael Lippold, founder and CEO, talked with The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves on the floor of the recent IDDBA Show in Anaheim, California. “We’re a platform that allows retailers to enter the category, grow the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Gary’s Foods Going Strong Under Second, Third Generations
Owner credits success to connection with ‘longtime, loyal customers’ Gary’s Foods in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a family-owned independent grocery store, operated today by the second and third generations. Denny Dietrich and son, Peter, run the store, which was started in 1971 by Denny’s father, Gary, and a partner, Dave Rank. The two had worked […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Real Food Market & Deli Works On ‘Building Community’ In Helena, MT
Laughing Water, owner and general manager of Real Food Store Inc., dba Real Food Market & Deli in Helena, Montana, does not have a traditional grocery industry background. He started practicing yoga at age 13. A Presidential Scholar in high school, he earned a degree in philosophy and psychology at MIT. His graduate studies took […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
LRA Backed Measures To Streamline Tax Remittance, Reduce Retail Crime
Executive director: Law enforcement needs to ‘have discretion to make arrests’ where necessary The Louisiana Retailers Association (LRA) supported legislation this year to benefit its members, according to Jessica Elliott, executive director. Two of the bills – HB 558 and SB 54 – were passed and have been signed into law by Gov. John Bel […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Hi Nabor Maintains Family Legacy, Close Ties With AGBR
Hi Nabor, a three-store grocery chain in the greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, is growing. Two new stores are planned, with property purchased for one of the locations. Founded by Sam Crifasi on Jan. 1, 1963, Hi Nabor converted to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 2020. President Jim Crifasi, one of Sam’s nine children, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
MFDA President: Montana’s Economy Stronger In ‘23
At the end of fiscal year 2022, Montana saw a 39 percent increase in collections from its top seven taxes. Through the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, those same taxes had produced 3 percent less, according to the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. Most of the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Treppendahl’s Super Foods Grateful For AGBR
Wettlin Treppendahl Jr., owner of Treppendahl’s Super Foods in Woodville, Mississippi, has been a member of Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge (AGBR) since 1988. And he is quick to credit the wholesaler for helping him keep up with industry technology. He described the company as “the next best thing since sliced bread,” adding that […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Rouses Markets Has Plans For New Stores, Remodels
Rouses Markets, based in Schriever, Louisiana, is staying busy and growing, according to CEO Donny Rouse. The family-owned grocer has announced plans for two new stores in Mississippi – Biloxi and Picayune – and a replacement store for its original location in Houma, Louisiana, is scheduled to open in the middle of August. The remodel […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
New Fees, Restrictions On SNAP Would Stifle Efforts To Help Food Insecure
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, is a public-private program that works as it was designed – to help feed the food insecure. And in many rural and urban areas, where independent community grocers often are the only convenient source of fresh groceries and other essential goods, SNAP has been an effective […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Corner Market Stands Out By Putting ‘People Over Profits’
Corner Market in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, stands out from its competitors in several ways, primarily by putting “people over profits.” According to VP of Fresh Price Mabry, the Roberts family – owners of the company – takes pride in caring for employees. “They’re the most generous family you will ever meet…you can ask anybody, from our […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Pat’s Foods In Michigan’s UP Has ‘Been Lucky With Good Teams, Culture’
The Campionis have been in business in Michigan for several generations. Based in the Upper Peninsula, the family operates 11 Pat’s Foods supermarkets, six hardware stores, three convenience store/gas stations and four car washes in the state and neighboring Wisconsin. At the head of the family business are brothers Ben and Joe Campioni, who have […]