Leaders who consistently win understand one simple truth: performance is never evenly distributed across the day, week or year. Some moments matter more than others, and what a team does in those windows separates average operations from extraordinary ones. What is ‘prime time’ in leadership? In operations-heavy environments, prime time is the predictable window when […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inExceptional Independents, Featured News, National, News
60-Plus Grocers Honored At Annual Exceptional Independents Awards
LAS VEGAS – Shelby Publishing presented its annual Exceptional Independents Awards on Feb. 2 during the NGA Show at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Convention Center, recognizing more than 60 independent grocery operators from across the country for their innovation, dedication and community leadership. Now in its fourth year, the awards program showcases grocers whose […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Finance News, National, News
Crossroads: Built-To-Last Factors Impacting Value
As we have discussed before, understanding the value of a business is important at every stage of its life. By tracking value over time, we can see its trajectory. By understanding the factors that impact value, we can better identify where to focus our time, energy and investment. In the grocery industry, there are multiple […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Independent Grocers Face Pricing Pressures, Rural Store Closures In ND
Independent grocers across North Dakota face mounting pressure from several directions, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “Independent grocers are being squeezed by big-box stores and food manufacturers,” Dyste said. “Unfair pricing is the main problem driving consumers to big-box stores.” The challenges come as North Dakota’s economy undergoes […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, Finance News, News, West
Instacart Executive Touts Benefits Of Storefront Pro E-Commerce Platform
The Shelby Report of the West recently visited with Merrick Rosner, Instacart’s head of revenue and solution sales, independent grocery, to learn more about the company’s e-commerce platform Storefront Pro. What is involved in training employees on how to use e-commerce platforms like Storefront Pro? Storefront Pro gives grocers of all sizes the ability to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, West
AFMA: Grocers Weather Supply Chain Uncertainties, Keep Focus On Customers
Lisa Bednar, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, took time out of her busy legislative season to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the West’s Lorrie Griffith about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. We’re coming out of a year that saw a new administration in the White House, a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Moving To Broader Appeal – ‘We’ve Got To Give Everybody Something’
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, West
Grocery Development Continues Around Cities Across Arizona
As population and construction projects continue to grow in number in Arizona, the grocery industry is responding with growth of its own. Following is a roundup of some planned and recent store openings. On Jan. 12, Aldi announced its plans for 2026 and beyond, including 180 new stores as well as three new distribution centers. […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, West
Bringing Public Company Discipline To Longtime Family-Owned Business
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inWomen of Influence, Home Page Latest News, National
Nominations Accepted For Shelby’s Women Of Influence Program
The Shelby-Griffin Report is seeking nominations for its Women of Influence in the Food Industry recognition program. Honorees will be highlighted by region in the May editions. To qualify for inclusion, a woman must possess a high level of dedication and professionalism in the industry. She exhibits tenacity and has strong leadership skills, which may […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
SoCal-Based Vallarta Supermarkets Charts Path Of Growth, Change
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest, News, UNFI
Minnesota Grocery Industry Faces Expansion, Closures, Federal Funding Uncertainty
Minnesota’s grocery industry navigated significant challenges and changes in 2025, with new leadership at major chains, a cyberattack disrupting operations, federal SNAP funding uncertainty threatening rural stores and continued pressure from state labor mandates. United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) appointed David Best as president and CEO of retail effective Aug. 17, leading the company’s two […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Coach To Behaviors And Numbers Will Follow
In nearly every leadership conversation today, the focus always drifts to numbers – sales numbers, productivity and labor numbers, engagement scores, turnover rates and market share. Numbers matter, but they are not where great leadership begins. When leaders obsess over numbers, they miss the deeper truth – numbers are outcomes, not causes. The most effective […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Minnesota Retailers Face Mounting Pressures Despite Strength Of Independent Network
Minnesota maintains one of the nation’s strongest independent grocery networks, but increased government mandates driving up costs, stagnant population growth and a shrinking workforce are creating significant headwinds for retailers across the state, according to Patrick Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “There’s a lot of pressure on those individual stores,” he said. “We’re […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Southeast
Funding, Support Go Long Way For Grocers In Underserved Atlanta Areas
In December 2024, Invest Atlanta – the official economic development authority for the city of Atlanta – announced millions of dollars in grants to bolster fresh food access in underserved areas around the city. The first announcement was Invest Atlanta providing $8 million in funding for two stores to be operated by independent operator Savi […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, West
Hawaii Grocery Industry Adapts During Uncertain Times, Mounting Challenges
The grocery industry in Hawaii is facing mounting challenges as food insecurity remains high and transportation costs continue to climb. Approximately 30 percent of Hawaii’s residents report some level of food insecurity, according to Alexis Chapman, director of operations for the Hawaii Food Industry Association in Honolulu. The situation is even more dire in certain […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, News, Southeast
Retailers Embrace PWADC ‘Savings In A SNAP’ Digital Program
With grocery costs continuing to rise and uncertainty surrounding federal nutrition assistance programs, Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company has rolled out an innovative coupon initiative designed to help consumers stretch their food budgets further. Launched Nov. 1, the Savings in a SNAP digital program focuses on staple items like eggs, milk, potatoes, pasta, tuna and […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Crossroads: Where Life And Business Meet
This is the first installment of a new ongoing column in The Shelby Report. We’re calling it Crossroads, in recognition of the intersection between life and business, where all of us – especially independent grocers– truly live. Each month, this column will highlight a moment where life and business collide and attempt to offer insight […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, West
Okimoto Corp.’s Longstanding Values Guide Everyday Operations Of Its Stores
Hawaii grocer Okimoto Corp. celebrated 75 years in business in 2024, built on a foundation of honesty, integrity, humility and unity. Led by the third generation – Kris, Kyle and Kit Okimoto – the company operates two stores on Oahu and one on Molokai. Kit Okimoto, who in addition to his CFO duties in the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, Finance News, News, West
Swiftly’s Audience Optimizer Offers Retailers Digital Tools For Success
The Shelby Report recently visited with Swiftly, a Seattle-based retail technology platform, to learn more about its new Audience Optimizer, a tool designed to help brick-and-mortar retailers transition their marketing efforts from traditional print circulars to targeted digital campaigns. Sean Turner, co-founder and chief technology officer of Swiftly, said the platform provides retailers with digital […]