The Griffin Report of the Northeast presents its 17th annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of 78 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 […]
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, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
For Lone Grocer In Carrabelle, ‘If The Weather’s Good, We’re Busy’
Richard Holley didn’t start his career in the grocery industry, but he has found a home there. The store manager of Gulfside IGA Plus in Carrabelle, Florida, had traveled extensively for previous jobs before he decided to settle down. A self-proclaimed military brat, Holley’s parents hailed from Panama City Beach, which is where they ended up […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Independents In Sunshine State Not Immune To Workforce Issues
Florida’s economy continues to be “very robust” and the state legislature recently approved a budget of about $109 billion while “still banking an additional $11 billion in reserves,” said Lorena Holley, VP and general counsel with the Florida Retail Federation. “More specific to the food industry in Florida, our grocers have generally retained a good […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Save Mart: ‘We Have The Freshest Produce Of Anywhere In The Country’
As a “military brat,” Rick Reed – The Save Mart Companies’ VP of produce and floral – has lived all over the world. His family was living in Arizona when he got his start in the grocery industry at age 16. Reed, who credited his father with instilling a strong work ethic in him, worked […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
The Save Mart Co. Increasing Awareness Of Private Label Brands
The Save Mart Companies is continuing to invest several resources into its private label sector and increase awareness with customers. Rebecca Calvin, chief merchandising officer, said The Save Mart Companies has a three-tiered approach. Customers will see Bayview Farms products as the key opening price point brand. “Then we have national brand equivalents: Sunny Select, […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Products Are Star, Price Is Hero At New-Look FoodMaxx
FoodMaxx is The Save Mart Companies banner that is committed to everyday low prices across the store, particularly those items customers buy most, such as milk, eggs, bread, diapers, produce and fresh meat. According to the company’s website, the store commits to the following principles in order to achieve this mission: Everything is designed to […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Albertsons, West
People-First Lucky California Really Wants ‘Our Folks To Shine’
Bobby McDowell, VP of store operations for Lucky California, got his start in the industry in 1983 with Skaggs Alpha Beta. He has worked his way up through the ranks and has worked with a couple of different companies over his career, including box-format stores. His aunt worked at Alpha Beta and got him a […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Nonfood Items, West
Non-Food, Alcohol And Pharmacy Important To The Save Mart Shoppers
Dave Herbers, VP of non-food, alcohol and pharmacy for The Save Mart Companies, was on a different path before he joined the grocery industry. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, he attended Miami University in Ohio and majored in math and statistics. After a stint with General Electric, he “spent 13 fantastic years in the food […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Groceries On The Go To Save Mart Customers, Anywhere, At Any Time
The Save Mart Companies offer an on-demand grocery delivery service to customers in partnership with robot delivery company Starship Technologies. The Save Mart Cos. was the first grocer in the U.S. to work with Starship Technologies, according to a previous article of The Shelby Report. The debut of the advanced contactless delivery service embraced the […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Merchandising News, West
Local Merchandising Essential To The Save Mart’s Neighborhood Identity
James Gillespie is senior director of local merchandising at The Save Mart Companies. He acknowledges it’s a department not found at most retailers. The local merchandising department tries to find those products that are important to local shoppers in each neighborhood. “It’s about getting our stores to be merchandised to the neighborhood to what our consumers […]
Posted inDairy News, Albertsons, Retailer of the Year, West
The Save Mart Co. Rooted In The Region, Understanding Of Customers
Zeb Early, VP of frozen, dairy, deli and dry grocery, has been with The Save Mart Companies for close to 20 years. He attended college at Chico State and, while there, started working for a grocery store on the night crew. He later worked with a small independent group that was acquired by Fleming, which […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Cornerstones Of Communication, Connections And Cohesion
Headquartered in the heart of California’s Central Valley, The Save Mart Companies serves more than 200 communities across the state and neighboring Nevada. The company has been in business for 70 years with Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx and Maxx Value Food stores, distribution centers and a transportation facility employing more than 14,000 team […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Select Save Mart Stores Serve As Innovation Labs
In 1952, the first Save Mart opened in Modesto, California, with the aim to offer Central Valley families the freshest food at the greatest value, according to the company’s website. “It was the foundation for Save Mart’s service-oriented grocery store experience. Since then, Save Mart has grown to 83 stores from Tehachapi to Chico and […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, West
Save Mart CEO McGarry Finds Success On Unconventional Career Path
The grocery industry was not on The Save Mart Companies CEO Chris McGarry’s radar when planning his career. The New Jersey native attended Seton Hall University and earned three degrees: a bachelor’s in history, an MBA in finance and a law degree. “If you had asked me 30 years ago if I’d have a career […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Examining Price Authority And What Shoppers Don’t Know About It
“I know what I know; the problem is that I don’t know what I don’t know.” In business, and in life, awareness of what you don’t know can be critical to success. And of course, the opposite is true. Being confident you know something, when the opposite is true is a path to disaster. As […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, West
The Save Mart Companies Named 2022 West Retailer Of The Year
The Save Mart Companies have been named The Shelby Report of the West’s Retailer of the Year. The Save Mart Companies operates 200 Save Mart, Lucky California and FoodMaxx stores in the California Central Valley and Northern Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in […]
Posted inProduce News, Beverage News, Retailer of the Year, Southwest
From Watermelons To Pepsi, Lowe’s Not Afraid To Go Big
Lowe’s Market is continuing to go big with its product displays. Residents of Lubbock, Texas, were treated to a record-breaking display of watermelons on June 2, 2021. The Food King on 82nd Street hosted a watermelon marketing event of epic proportions, with the world’s largest watermelon display. Although unverified by the Guinness Book of World […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
Town, Lowe’s Rally To Rebuild San Saba Store Gutted By Fire
In the wee hours of Friday, March 20, 2020, tragedy struck the small town of San Saba, Texas as a fire was discovered shortly after midnight at the only grocery store in town, Lowe’s Market. The local volunteer fire department, along with those from several neighboring communities, fought the blaze through the night and […]
Posted inDairy News, Feature, National
IDFA Board Member: Innovation Remains Key For Industry
The International Dairy Foods Association Economic Impact Study, which measures the combined impact of the dairy products industry, showed the economic impact totaled $752.93 billion in the U.S. With more than 90 percent household penetration and high frequency of consumption, IDFA board member Blake Waltrip said the average U.S. consumer today has anywhere from three […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Village Beach Market In Vero Beach Striving To Be ‘Simply Better’
Village Beach Market in Vero Beach, Florida, is a three-generation legacy of the Keen family. Jason Keen runs it, having taken over after his father, Jerry, died three years ago. His grandfather started the business in 1951, and Jerry Keen took the reins when he was 20. “He lost his dad when he was only […]