How do grocers attract employees and future leaders in today’s challenging job market? Those were the among the topics of a panel discussion at the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention in Orlando, Florida. The inspiration for the panel came from a presentation at an NGA board meeting. GFIA President Kathy Kuzava listened to economist […]
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
Floods Swallow Isom IGA In Kentucky
From IGA News The morning of July 28 hit different from other Thursdays for Isom IGA Owner and 2007 IGA International Retailer of the Year Gwen Christon. After a 12-hour deluge in eastern Kentucky brought 7-10 inches of rain overnight and raised the North Fork Kentucky River about 11 feet above flood stage – an […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
GFIA Posts Record Attendance For Popular Annual Conference
More than 900 people attended the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention, held in Orlando, Florida. The majority of those were retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, according to GFIA President Kathy Kuzava. She cited several highlights of the annual conference: Teross Young, VP of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs for Ahold Delhaize USA, received GFIA’s 2022 […]
Posted inPackaging News, Feature, Southeast
Mister Bee Potato Chips Expands Co-Packing Production
Parkersburg, West Virginia-based Mister Bee Potato Chips is expanding its private label co-packing services to add to its chip making for retail outlets. The small, woman-owned business upgraded its entire facilities – new fryer, computerized seasoning, bagging process and new warehouse – providing opportunities for expanding its production to make custom chips for other snack companies, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Hometown Foods Serving Waterloo, Tiny Town Of Traer
Jill and Doug Eilderts both had backgrounds in the grocery industry before deciding to buy their first Hometown Foods store in Waterloo, Iowa, in May 2019. In September 2020, they acquired a second store in nearby Traer. Jill Eilderts has worked at the Waterloo store for 35 years, starting off as a cashier when she […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Measure Aids Online Market Transparency In Louisiana
The Louisiana Retailers Association led an initiative this year to pass Act 316, legislation that will make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods online. According to Jessica Elliott, executive director of the LRA, the measure will increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure verification of high-volume online sellers. “Grocers have made significant […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Market Profile, Southeast
Ricky Joy Company Serves Up Drinks, Candies And Jellies
Colombian entrepreneur Julio Bayona wanted to create a product for kids of all ages and ethnicities. Coming from a background of focusing on Latino-centered retailed ventures, he founded Alpharetta, Georgia-based the Ricky Joy Company with that in mind. “We had a dream to be mainstream,” Bayona said in a recent interview with The Shelby Report […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
Adaptability Key To Rouses’ Success During COVID-19 Pandemic
Thanks to its team, suppliers and vendor programs it had in place – along with an independent’s ability to quickly adapt – Rouses Markets made it through the COVID-19 pandemic with an increase in sales and a shift to e-commerce, according to CEO Donny Rouse. Rouse added that the company hasn’t fully recovered due to […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Why Are Food Prices Still Rising? Look No Further Than Fertilizer
Fertilizer isn’t a glamorous topic. Far from it. But it’s a key player in the game of rising food costs. Plants need nitrogen, potassium and other nutrients to grow. Add more nutrients in the soil and plants grow bigger, vegetable and fruit yields skyrocket and, in turn, land becomes more productive and profitable. Reverse it […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Enforcement Of Robinson-Patman Act Is ‘Biggest Issue,’ Owner Says
Mike Planalp, owner of Blackford County Foods, in Fishers, Indiana, sees the biggest challenge to independent grocers and their growth is the federal government’s failure to enforce the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936. The act is an antitrust law that guarantees a competitive grocery marketplace. He operates six Save A Lot food stores in Indiana, a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
At Leppinks Food Centers, Each Store A ‘True Neighborhood Market’
Leppinks Food Centers is a fourth-generation, family-operated company headquartered in Belding, Michigan. The seven Leppink stores are owned and run by John Leppink, his brother-in-law, Rich Cole, and John’s cousin, Ransom Leppink. John Leppink, the majority owner, has four of the Leppinks locations but also six Save A Lot Food Stores and a True Value […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, West
Great Falls’ Everyday IGA Stores Ready To Launch E-Commerce Program
All things considered, Rich Chadwick’s two Everyday IGA stores in Great Falls, Montana, and Teeple’s IGA in Browning are enjoying a strong state and local economy. “I think the economy has grown in Great Falls. I think wages have grown quite a lot in the Great Falls area,” said Chadwick, adding that there are several […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Northeast
Massachusetts Association Juggling Various Legislative Issues
Chris Flynn, president of the Massachusetts Food Association, said officials are dealing with various legislative issues, including the expansion of a bottle law, treatment of animals and credit cards. Lawmakers in late 2021 approved a 2016 voter-approved law tweaked by lawmakers that requires larger enclosures for egg-laying chickens, according to the Gloucester Daily Times. The […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Roche Bros. Celebrating 70th Anniversary
Pat and Bud Roche opened their first store in 1952 in Roslindale, Massachusetts, according to the Roche Bros. website. “This first meat and produce store expanded in 1957 to include a grocery department,” it reads. Today, the neighborhood grocer has 16 Roche Bros. locations and four Brothers Marketplace banners in Massachusetts. The store is owned […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, West
The Shelby Report Of The West Honors 54 Women Of Influence
The Shelby Report of the West presents its annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of 54 honorees ranges from presidents and VPs to managers, directors and supervisors. Whether they’ve worked there decades or just a few months, these women are making an impact at their companies. Some have MBAs […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Southeast
The Shelby Report Of The Southeast Honors 54 Women Of Influence
The Shelby Report of the Southeast presents its annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of 54 honorees ranges from presidents to VPs to managers, directors and supervisors. Whether they’ve worked there decades or just a few months, these women are making an impact at their companies. Throughout this section, they […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
International Marketplace Bounces Back In Point Roberts
Ali Hayton, owner of Point Roberts International Marketplace, went through a difficult 2021. When she last spoke to The Shelby Report in April of that year, she had lost a substantial amount of foot traffic and revenue due to the Canada-U.S. border closure that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic. Point Roberts, a small town near […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Midwest
The Shelby Report Of The Midwest Honors 30 Women Of Influence
The Shelby Report of the Midwest presents its annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of 30 honorees ranges from presidents to VPs to managers, directors and supervisors. They are among the leading executives in their respective fields, but their candid responses to questions from the Shelby team also reflect […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Southwest
The Shelby Report Of The Southwest Honors 36 Women of Influence
The Shelby Report of the Southwest presents its annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of 36 honorees ranges from presidents to VPs to managers, directors and supervisors. Whether they’ve worked there decades or just a few months, these women are making an impact at their companies. Throughout this section, […]