Courtney Brown and Ava Brown Shell grew up working in their father’s grocery store in Bixby, Oklahoma. Courtney now is CEO of Doc’s Food Stores Inc. while Ava comes in to help when needed. And her husband, Jake Shell, is center store director. Courtney and Ava were pleased to talk with The Shelby Report about […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Market Profile, Southeast
Service, Support Setting AGBR Apart
Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge (AGBR) has a close relationship with its more than 180 independent retailers spanning the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas regions, offering them a “complete support system.” “We pride ourselves on service, which sets us apart from our competitors,” said Pete Tortorich, VP of retail operations – business development and […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
Brown Credits Success To Lessons Learned From Father
Jim Brown, owner of Doc’s Food Stores, headquartered in Bixby, Oklahoma, has been inducted into Shelby Publishing’s Food Industry Hall of Fame. Brown has been working in the grocery business since he was knee-high. His father, Roy “Doc” Brown, owned and operated a grocery store in Bixby after moving to the small town just outside […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, National
Mars Wrigley Using Insights, Innovation To Deliver For Consumers
Mars Wrigley is “consumer obsessed,” according to Mike Gilroy, VP of trade development and sponsorship. The company is “all about the consumer and delivering value and quality to the consumer.” Gilroy said if the 100-plus-year-old company is going to continue to be successful, it needs to “continue to listen to what the consumer is telling […]
Posted inFeature
Let Us Hear From You – Shelby Survey Seeks Feedback
Dear readers, At The Shelby Report, we strive to provide you with valuable resources and insights to help you run your grocery store more efficiently and effectively. Your success is our priority, which is why we want to hear from you about the topics and content that would be most beneficial to your business. We […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
North Padre Residents Find Local Option At Island Market IGA
When Island Market IGA opened in January 2021 on North Padre Island, just outside of Corpus Christi, Texas, it became the only grocer. The family-owned and -operated independent retailer is a resource for residents, who previously had to travel about seven miles off the island to the nearest grocery store. Josh Meadows and his wife, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, National, Northeast
The Hershey Company Investing In Innovation
The Hershey Company has been building a “snacking powerhouse” over the last few years, featuring both sweet and salty options, and innovation will continue to be a focus for the company in 2024. Allison Mason, Hershey’s strategic communications manager, talked with The Griffin Report of the Northeast’s Maggie Kaeppel during the recent Sweets & Snacks […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, National
FMI Report: Firms Investing To Future-Proof Business
How are food retailers and suppliers reacting to inflation, as well as a myriad other challenges in this post-pandemic era? FMI–The Food Industry Association’s 74th annual The Food Retailing Industry Speaks report looks at what’s happening in the industry to better understand the issues, challenges and goals of its member companies in the industry as […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
With Coastal And Border Characteristics, South Texas Is Force In Trade
TRA executive: Area’s grocers have been impacted most by end of emergency SNAP benefits The South Texas region consists of 28 counties covering about 37,800 square miles. It stretches from Del Rio to Brownsville along the Mexican border and up the Gulf Coast, past Rockport to Aransas Pass and San Antonio Bay. The region includes […]
Posted inFood City, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City: ‘We’re Nothing Without Our Community Being Successful’
Community involvement is at the center of Food City’s legacy. This year, the company is celebrating a decade of giving more than $60 million to local and national community organizations. Food City, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, partners locally with a variety of nonprofits, including veterans groups, hunger relief organizations, […]
Posted inCenter Store, Feature, Northeast
Catania Oils Showcases Products, Monitors Trends At IDDBA Show
Ayer, Massachusetts-based Catania Oils spotlighted its new palm-based shortening products at the recent 2023 IDDBA Show in Anaheim, California. Anne Whitney, marketing generalist for the company, talked with The Griffin Report of the Northeast about the company and its products. “We actually had a customer of ours supply cookies that were made with our shortening,” […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Meal Kits Cornerstone Of Corner Store Seattle Area Grocer
Kitchen & Market, which has three locations in the Seattle area, was founded on a simple idea – how to make planning meals easier. Founder and CEO Stephanie King set about that goal after a long career in private label grocery. “Instead of just retiring, I opted to put my idea down on paper. I […]
Posted inFood City, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Family-Based Culture, Atmosphere Food City’s Key Core Characteristics
Food City, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, is in the people business, according to its president, Steve Smith. The grocer focuses on growing from within through its people while continuously exceeding customer expectations. It all starts with hiring. “Calm and friendly and making sure we bring the right teammates into […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, West
Evergreen State Facing Regulations, Unwelcome Taxes This Year
A legislative special session, long-term care deductions and ergonomics have dominated the agenda so far this year for the Washington Food Industry Association, according to President Tammie Hetrick. Retail crime in the state has been emboldened in recent years due to limited policing ability. Police or security officers have been restricted from pursuing suspected shoplifters […]
Posted inFood City, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City: E-Commerce Experience Exceeding Customers’ Expectations
Abingdon, Virginia-based Food City, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, has offered e-commerce since 2015. It began with GoCart, the retailer’s curbside pickup platform. Today, Food City’s e-commerce includes internal programs, partnerships with third parties and a robust savings program to bring the best experience to customers, according to Kevin Stafford, […]
Posted inFood City, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City Self-Distributes In Order To ‘Serve Our Customers’
Food City, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, has been self-distributing for a long time. Bolstered by a central distribution center in the same town as its corporate headquarters, Abingdon, Virginia, the DC is the main distributor for all Food City locations. It continues to handle the majority of distribution for […]
Posted inFood City, Private Label Brands, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City’s Private Label Offerings Provide Quality, Value, Satisfaction
The family of brands at Food City, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, includes thousands of items across nearly every category. A combination of nationally recognized and local private label offerings provide customers with quality and value. Each brand is backed by a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee. If customers aren’t pleased, they […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Celebrating Foundation Awareness Week Means Recognizing Impact Of Our Industry
The support upon which something rests. Justification or reason. An underlying basis or principle. These are among the dictionary definitions of “foundation.” And they’re all appropriate descriptions for the NGA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association that supports recruiting, retention and leadership development efforts for the future of the independent community grocer. […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Food City, Southeast
Fuel Centers, Pharamacies Bring ‘Whole Package Together’
Food City, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, was founded on the pledge to: “Run the best store in town.” To do so, it must be able to meet customers wherever they are. A key part of that has been evolving and adapting the company’s gas and pharmacy programs, according to […]
Posted inDeli News, Feature, West
Reser’s Fine Foods Crosses ‘Every Category’ Within Deli Department
Beaverton, Oregon-based Reser’s Fine Foods focused on product versatility during this year’s IDDBA Show in Anaheim, California, where The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves was able to catch up with the team to see what’s new. With a wide range of products, the prepared foods company provides retailers with solutions across the deli, according to Anne […]