The 30th anniversary of Super King Markets in 2023 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its founders, the Fermanian family. But it is also a celebration of the company, its values, family-style management approach and tremendous loyalty and support from a fervent customer base. For this special section, The Shelby Report […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Piggly Wiggly Midwest Getting Its Name ‘Back Out There’
Piggly Wiggly Midwest is continuing to look for ways to create value for its customers along with accelerating its ability to deliver best-in-class services, according to Beau Oshiro, VP and general manager. “We remain committed to satisfying our customers’ needs to the fullest and are dedicated to taking the necessary actions to achieve our overall […]
Community Involvement Is ‘Secret Sauce’ For Piggly Wiggly Midwest
Headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Piggly Wiggly Midwest has been a regional institution since 1911. Founded as the Schultz Brothers Co. by brothers Herman, Arthur and Oscar Schultz, the company was a wholesale dealer dedicated to serving independent grocers. In 1949, the brothers began operating Piggly Wiggly corporate retail stores, according to Mark McGowan, SVP of […]
Exploring Possible Deal Thesis Behind Proposed Albertsons/Kroger Merger
I’ve been asked a lot lately about the Albertsons/Kroger merger and what it means for our industry. Every time I think, “What is the deal thesis behind the merger? What can they do together they can’t already do separately?” For example, would combining them save a bunch of costs? They won’t need two CFOs or […]
Market In Portland Keeping Customers Informed, Involved
Bread and Roses Market in Portland, Oregon, is an organic-focused grocery store “built by an employee.” Navid Sam Nayebi, owner/operator, said he has had many jobs as a person of color where he experienced “a fair share of ill treatment from former employers, leading me to create a work environment where employees are treated well […]
Small State’s Aging Population Puts Pinch On Thin Labor Pool
Connecticut is facing a problem not wholly unique but one that is prominent within the small state – an aging population. And according to Wayne Pesce, Connecticut Food Association president, it is slowly making the workforce pool much shallower. “This demographic shift is impacting the labor force and consumer demand for goods and services,” Pesce […]
VRGA Wary Of Paid Family, Medical Leave Proposal
The Vermont State Legislature convened Jan. 4 and has reached its halfway point. According to the February newsletter from the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, legislators had said addressing the state’s housing shortage was a top priority. Eight weeks in, little progress had been made. As various committees were engaged in work during the first […]
PepsiCo Investing Heavily In Diversity, Inclusion, Sustainability
Pep Positive ‘overarching umbrella’ of how company approaches better initiatives PepsiCo is continuing its diversity, equity and inclusion journey and is in the second year of a five-year, $575 million investment focusing on communities – primarily those that are underserved. Kent Montgomery, SVP of industry relations and multicultural development, and Chris Yemma, senior director of […]
New Hampshire Industry Remains Strong Despite Challenges
New Hampshire ended the halfway point of the 2023 fiscal year $200 million ahead of estimates and $40 million more than the previous year. According to Kevin Daigle, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Grocers Association, Gov. Chris Sununu recently unveiled his proposed budget that will look to continue cutting and/or eliminating taxes and […]
Time To Remind Policymakers What Independent Grocers Mean Back Home
Independent community grocers are everywhere – in all 50 states, in every legislative district. They are at the heart of every community, from rural to urban. Business is very much local for independent grocers. Yet so much of what influences that business happens in Washington, D.C. The past year in Washington has been busy and […]
DECA Important Benefit For Military Personnel, Families
Officials talk about agency’s purpose, recent transformation, modernization efforts The Defense Commissary Agency, headquartered at Fort Lee, Virginia, operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries in a safe and secure shopping environment to U.S. military personnel, retirees, service-related disabled veterans and their families. Authorized patrons can purchase items tax free, plus a 5-percent surcharge, […]
Shelby Publishing Celebrates Northeast EIA Winners
On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]
Association Aims To Address Minimum Wage Legislation In 2023
Executive director: ‘We are trying to give businesses a little bit of flexibility’ Nebraska has a new governor for 2023, and “everybody feels optimistic,” said Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. While the state has a mostly business-friendly climate, Fellers said she believes Gov. Jim Pillen and the state legislature will […]
Hometown Market Owner Enjoys Being Independent Grocer
Tailors his store around needs of St. Paul community Blake Schwartz, owner of Hometown Market in St. Paul, Nebraska, has been in the grocery business since he was old enough to work. He started as a bagger and rose to a department manager for a local grocer by age 21. He became co-owner of what […]
City’s Shopping Cart Ordinance Draws Scrutiny From Association
Question why they’re responsible for abandoned shopping carts that were stolen from their property A 9,000-square-mile, 13-county region, North Texas is home to 7.5 million people. It is made up of 150 cities – including Dallas and Fort Worth – with 15 of those boasting a population of more than 100,000. Grocers in North Texas, […]
Shelby Publishing Honors West EIA Winners
On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]
Lowes Foods Focused On Offering Entertainment, Experiences
‘We want people to be able to come in and escape all the pressures of life in general’ The Shelby Report of the Southeast caught up with Tim Lowe, head of retail for Alex Lee and president of Lowes Foods, during the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, Florida. Lowe provided an update on Lowes […]
Shelby Publishing Recognizes Southwest EIA Recipients
On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]
Official: Fresh Organic Produce Industry Has ‘Optimistic Future’
Top trends in 2023 include sustainability, CEA, regenerative Organic produce is a vibrant industry with an optimistic future, according Matthew Seeley, CEO of Organic Produce Network in Monterey, California. “People are going to want to continue to eat healthy, nutritious products, and organic fits that bill,” he said. “And that’s why I think we’ve got an […]
Investment From Fed, State Governments Accelerating Hurricane Recovery
FRF educating grocers, other members to ensure they’re prepared to optimize savings While Florida’s economy has been emboldened by increased tourism, the southern part of the state is still reeling from last year’s hurricane season. But during a recent special session of the state legislature, retailers began to see some light at the end of […]
