Although her official title with Super King Markets is CFO, Mary Fermanian has done a bit of everything since the company’s start. She and her husband, Peter, along with his brother, Vache, built the business from its original Anaheim location to eight stores in Los Angeles and Orange counties. She and Peter met through their […]
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Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Fermanian Family Marks Milestone, Focused On Future
The Fermanian family of Super King Markets in Southern California is living the American dream, finding success through much hard work and determination. This year, they are celebrating the company’s 30th anniversary. Of Armenian heritage, the family lived in Lebanon before moving to Abu Dhabi to escape the war. Peter Fermanian, his wife, Mary, and […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, Super King Markets, West
Super King Markets Celebrates 30th Anniversary
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 […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Feature, Midwest
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 […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Feature, Midwest
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 […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
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 […]
Posted inFeature, Beverage News, Northeast
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
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 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
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 […]
Posted inFeature, Southeast
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, […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Home Page Latest News, Northeast
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
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, […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, West
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 […]
Posted inFeature, Executive News, Southeast
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 […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Southwest
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 […]