Recession may become self-fulfilling prophecy if worried consumers lower spending While Nevada economist Stephen Miller is not predicting a recession in 2023, he said that doesn’t mean there is no risk of one. Miller, research director at the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Center for Business and Economic Research, presented a fall economic outlook report […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Renfroe’s Market Offers Customers ‘Best Shopping Experience’
Renfroe’s Market, based in Montgomery, Alabama, focuses on providing great customer service. Rob Renfroe, VP of Renfroe’s Market, said that may sound cliché but it is one thing that sets the company apart. “We still operate with the idea that each customer should be greeted when they enter the store, while shopping and upon checkout,” […]
Posted inFeature, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
XRC Labs Investing In Future Of Grocery
XRC Labs – Accelerated Retail and Consumer Labs – is a venture capital firm and accelerator for the next generation of disruptors in the retail technology, consumer goods and consumerization of healthcare sectors. XRC has three types of funds with different stages and company type priorities, but all are consumer retail related. Al Sambar, general partner, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
Retailers Across Lone Star State Are ‘Optimistic But Still Cautious’
The economy in the Lone Star State continues to improve but is hindered by inflation, supply shortages and workforce gaps, according to Gary Huddleston, a grocery industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association. Independent grocers have the larger challenge as wholesale distribution becomes less reliable compared to larger chains, which have their own dedicated supply […]
Posted inFeature, National
Invafresh Offers Technology To Manage Fresh Perimeter
Vancouver, Canada-based Invafresh offers item management technology for the fresh food retail industry. According to Steve Midgley, VP of Invafresh, while e-commerce and the omnichannel approach is here to stay, consumers are “more picky” when it comes to fresh items in the grocery store. “What one person may consider to be a ripe avocado might […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Success Presents Expansion Opportunities For G.F. Buche Co.
Buche Foods is much more than a grocery chain in South Dakota. It began in 1905 with Gus Buche in a town called Lake Andes on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. “My great-grandfather just answered an ad to come over and be a manager for this grocery store. A year later, he bought them out,” said […]
Posted inFeature, Southeast
Inmar Leverages Data To Make Customers Smarter
Celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2022, Inmar Intelligence opened a new headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The company has invested more than $1 billion in its technology platform solutions, “which has really driven momentous growth,” said Rob Weisberg, SVP. “With that perspective, we’re doing about $120 billion in commerce driven through our platform,” he said, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
AGA, Auburn University Partner On Economic Impact Study
The Alabama Grocers Association partnered with Auburn University in 2022 to conduct an economic impact study of the grocery industry in the state. Total grocery industry employment is more than half a million people, with an annual payroll of over $2.5 billion, said Ellie Taylor, president of AGA. Total state tax revenues are more than $1.1 […]
Posted inFeature, National
Criteo Looks To Future In Its Retail Media Solutions
Criteo is a global technology company that helps marketers and media owners reach their goals through its Commerce Media Platform. Headquartered in Paris, France, the company has offices in New York City and other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. According to Lucile Roose, global product strategy director for retail media, Criteo acquired […]
Posted inFeature, National
Rosie Keeps Focus On Independent Grocers As Part Of Instacart
Last year was an eventful one for the e-commerce company Rosie, as it was acquired by Instacart. Rosie founder Nick Nickitas termed the acquisition “a massive win for independent grocery.” “Rosie was built as an e-commerce solution for independent retailers, enabling grocers to give their loyal customers a fully custom-branded online experience,” he said. “Now […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Turnover In Legislature Puts GFIA’s Focus On Preparation
Group targeting policies that could address labor, supply chain issues The Georgia Food Industry Association is dealing with many new faces – 53 to be exact – as the state legislature gathers in Atlanta for its annual session. That influx of new lawmakers makes preparation critical, according to GFIA President Kathy Kuzava. “GFIA members are […]
Posted inFeature, Northeast
Upside Gives Retailers Ability To Personalize Cash-Back Incentives
The app from Washington, D.C.-based technology company Upside rewards cash back to users through partnerships with retailers. The scope of its services includes all aspects of retail, but the grocery industry in particular has used it to draw customers through the doors. “What’s unique about Upside is we work directly with the retailer,” said Tyler […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Hometown Foods IGA Thriving In Northeast Georgia
Powered by meat department, store surpasses expectations On the main street of McCaysville, Georgia, with the Tennessee border in its back yard, sits Hometown Foods IGA. Edward Vest and his wife, Lisa, have owned the picturesque mountain town’s sole grocery store for nearly 21 years. Vest, who grew up in McCaysville, began his life in […]
Posted inFeature, Northeast
AppCard Helps Grocers Know Shoppers, Understand Preferences
“Last year was the year of the three whammies – labor shortage, logistic issues and, of course, inflation,” said Eran Harel, AppCard’s SVP of corporate development and strategic partnerships. These three issues have been at the forefront of every retailer’s grievance list the past year. And they are continuing to be felt by retailers across […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Independent Grocer Most Enjoys ‘Creating New Niches’ For Customers
Red’s Hometown Market IGA also features craft brewery, barbecue eatery and coffee shop Patrick Longmire, owner of Red’s Hometown Market IGA in Spring Grove, Minnesota, grew up in the grocery business. His parents purchased a small grocery store and bar in 1953 in St. Joseph, Wisconsin. They sold that business in 1963, then opened a […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Home Page Latest News, National
The Shelby-Griffin Report Seeks Nominations For ‘Women Of Influence’ Program
The Shelby-Griffin Report is seeking nominations of female trendsetters for its 18th annual “Women of Influence in the Food Industry” recognition program. Nominations may be made for up to three women working in the food industry who deserve to be included in this popular feature. To qualify for inclusion, a woman must possess a superior […]
Posted inCenter Store, Feature, Southeast
Barbecue Sauce Maker Keeps ‘Puttin’ The South In Your Mouth’
Mrs. Griffin’s Barbecue Sauce, headquartered in Macon, Georgia, was founded in 1935 by Mangham Edward Griffin. He created a special sauce for his family’s Fourth of July picnic every year, according to owner Roland Neel. The company has been “puttin’ The South in your mouth” for 88 years and is one of the oldest continuously […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
New Year, Ongoing Challenges For Grocers Across Pine Tree State
MGFPA director: Rising costs ‘continue to make for a taxing time to be in business’ While the economy in Maine continues to be challenging, the state entered the new year with a more than $280 million budget surplus, according to Christine Cummings, executive director of the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association. While this is […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Economy In New Mexico Has Made ‘Major Improvement’ Over Past Year
While New Mexico’s economy is not bad, it’s also not very strong, according to Breck Stewart, executive director of the New Mexico Grocers Association. Stewart also is an independent grocer in Albuquerque. “Our unemployment percentage is pretty good in the state, but it seems that most businesses have ‘help wanted’ signs posted. The supply chain […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Brackett’s Market Focuses On Personalized Customer Service
Owner credits employees for store’s success in downtown Bath Bath, Maine is a coastal town of some 8,700 people located about 40 miles north of Portland. “Or as we always like to say, we’re 20 minutes north of L.L. Bean, because everybody knows L.L. Bean,” said Kimberly Brackett, co-owner and VP of Brackett’s Market. Located […]