Shelby Originals | In-Depth Food Industry Stories & Analysis
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Midwest

Buehler’s Fresh Foods Continues To Address Supply Chain Issues

Like many grocers across the country, Wooster, Ohio-based Buehler’s Fresh Foods continues to work its way around supply chain hurdles.  “I’ve never seen such a challenged supply chain. But I would tell you that in our company’s perspective, I applaud our merchants…they’re acting as advocates for the customer,” said Mike Davidson, president and CEO. Davidson […]

Posted inFred Meyer, Anniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, West

Non-Food Side Of Fred Meyer Gives Company Edge In Marketplace

Like many of his colleagues, Brad Cope had not planned on a career in the grocery industry. “Not at all,” he said. Cope, manager of marketing and customer communications at Fred Meyer, started working for the company in high school. He continued doing so in his first year of college.  The company offered him a good […]

Posted inFred Meyer, Anniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, West

Providing Positive Environment Key To Fred Meyer’s Development

Sara Parker, director of human resources for Fred Meyer, was no stranger to the food business when she joined the company in 2002 from a general merchandise retailer in Portland, Oregon. “My dad worked for a food processing company when I was growing up, and he was a director of quality control, so I have […]

Posted inFred Meyer, Anniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, Special Section, West

Fred Meyer’s World-Class Service, Experience Build Loyalty

Dave Richard, VP of operations for Fred Meyer, began his food retail career nearly four decades ago.  “I’ve been in the business my whole life,” he said. “I started as a bagger over 36 years ago. I have worked all over the West Coast, including Alaska and California.” Richard left Safeway and joined Cincinnati, Ohio-based […]

Posted inFred Meyer, Anniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, West

Fred Meyer’s ‘Friendly First’ Approach Engrained In Associates, Executives

Dennis Gibson had a choice to make. It was 1984 and Fred Meyer had just acquired Grand Central Stores, a grocery chain for which he was working in Utah.  “One of my best decisions ever was staying with the company at that point because it’s just been an amazing journey,” said Gibson, who later became […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Slider, Midwest

Owner: Miller’s Fresh Foods Is ‘Not Going To Stand Still’

For Jeff Miller, owner of North Dakota-based Miller’s Fresh Foods, describing recent supply chain experiences as challenging would be an understatement.  “Sales aren’t an issue,” he said. “Sales have been excellent. We can’t complain. But we’re battling supply issues…and that’s one of our biggest challenges is keeping our stores full.” However, Miller is finding ways […]

Posted inAnniversary Issues, Corporate Store News, Fred Meyer, Home Page Slider, West

Fred Meyer Co. Celebrates A Century Of Service

Shelby Publishing EVP Bob Reeves recently visited Portland, Oregon, to catch up with the folks at Fred Meyer. The grocery retailer in the Pacific Northwest is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022, which is the focus of this special issue. Join us in the pages that follow as we learn how it pioneered the one-stop shop […]

Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Latest News, West

ROFDA Board Members Envision More Inclusivity, Involvement 

Members of the board of directors for the Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates discussed the state of the industry and shared their thoughts on what may lie ahead during a panel discussion at the organization’s fall conference. Board member Michael Violette, president and CEO of AG New England, praised the value of ROFDA’s share […]

Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Latest News, National

Administrative And Operations Manager Held ROFDA Together

With the presidency of Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates vacant for the past two years, organization officials say Teresa Pope, administrative and operations manager, has been the “glue” that has held the organization together. Pope was part of the first executive staff that ROFDA hired in 1990. Through the three presidencies since then, she […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Slider, Midwest

South Dakota Retailers Association Celebrating Its 125th Anniversary

It’s difficult for Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, to contain his enthusiasm when talking about 2022, which marks the group’s 125th anniversary. “We’re older than Ford Motor Company. We’re older than the World Series. We’re older than the National Park Service. So this is a really big milestone year for […]

Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Slider, West

Extending Relationships Has Helped ROFDA Remain Relevant

ROFDA board member Bob Obray’s fondest memories of the organization have always centered on building deeper relationships.  “Across the industry, whether it’s with other cooperative members or vendors, service providers…it’s about relationships. And I think this kind of reinvention, revitalization, whatever you want to call it, ROFDA gives us an opportunity to expand and extend […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Midwest

North Dakota Grocers’ Group Expands Scholarship Program

The North Dakota Grocers Association has expanded its scholarship program for those involved in the industry, as well as people who are considering a career in it. John Dyste, president, mentioned three new scholarships that are available, one each for: high school seniors working at a local member grocery store; college students who return to […]