Shelby Originals | In-Depth Food Industry Stories & Analysis
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Northeast

Highland Park Markets, Fellow Grocers Rising To Pandemic Challenges

by John McCurry/contributing writer   Employees at Highland Park Markets, a Hartford, Connecticut, area grocer, are working hard to serve customers during the coronavirus crisis. Molly Devanney,  a company VP interviewed during the first weeks of the pandemic, said activity has been crazy. Employees are working hard to restock shelves and perform extra cleaning of […]

Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, West

State Mulls Mask Incentive For Grocery Store Shoppers

by Cynthia Weifenbach, contributing writer In an effort to encourage shoppers to wear a mask in grocery stores during the COVID-19 pandemic, Montana is considering a 3 to 5 percent discount off the total bill at checkout for patrons with a mask on.  “We looked at different things to do to get people to wear masks […]

Posted inGelson's, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, West, Year In Review - 2020

WEST: Gelson’s Introduces New Customer Rewards Program

Gelson’s has introduced a new rewards program where customers can earn points for every dollar they spend. With four different tiers (Foodie, Gourmet, Connoisseur, Epicure) come different perks, such as free items, Gelson’s brand BOGO events, a percentage off of whole store events and first to market samplers. Instacart is also integrated into the program, […]

Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southwest

Junior’s Growing Along With Hidalgo In South Texas

by John McCurry / contributing writer Hidalgo County in South Texas, with a population approaching 900,000, is one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. A major logistics hub, it is the No. 1. land port for fresh produce imports from Mexico, with about 2 million tons of fresh produce entering the country annually. […]

Posted inCenter Store, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, West

Navigator Lighthouse Leading Way To Supermarket Shelves, Success

Pierces found new nonprofit to boost diversity, inclusion  In the wake of weeks of Black Lives Matter protests nationwide, Subriana and Allen Pierce decided to focus their efforts on starting a nonprofit foundation, Navigator Lighthouse, to help women- and minority-owned CPG companies get up and running and onto store shelves. The Pierces, a husband-wife brokerage, […]

Posted inInternational Foods, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southeast

Every Supermarket Served By Georgia-based Souto Is ‘A Different World’

by John McCurry / contributing writer Souto Foods, a Norcross, Georgia-based distributor catering primarily to the Hispanic market, has experienced rapid growth since its founding a decade ago. Sebastian Souto, company president, described markets as being highly competitive and unique in every zip code. “We serve products for many nationalities, from South and Central America […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Beverage News, Home Page Slider, West

WEST: Grocery Outlet One Of ‘50 Best Wine Retailers In America For 2020’

Emeryville, California-based Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. recently was named to Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “50 Best Wine Retailers in America for 2020” in the “Best Value-Driven Retailers” category. The “50 Best Wine Retailers in America” were chosen by Wine Enthusiast’s team of expert editors and tasters to present the best of the best wine retailers across […]

Posted inInternational Foods, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Shelby Originals

ASG: Stores Know, Read And Adapt To Their Markets

by John McCurry / contributing writer Associated Supermarket Group likely serves one of the most multicultural markets in the Northeast, if not the entire U.S. ASG provides an array of services, including store financing, procurement, distribution, marketing, merchandising, advertising and promotion for more than 200 stores in the New York Tri-State area and along the […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Southeast

SOUTHEAST: Loganville, GA, Site Of Third Walmart Health Center

Walmart has opened its third health center in Loganville, Georgia, at 4221 Atlanta Highway, Suite 101. The first Walmart Health center opened in September 2019 in Dallas, Georgia. “The Georgia community has embraced our first two Walmart Health locations, and we are thrilled to bring low, transparent pricing to Loganville,” said Sean Slovenski, SVP and […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Albertsons, Home Page Latest News, International Foods, Southwest

SOUTHWEST: El Rancho Supermercado Reflects Rise Of Hispanic Market In Texas

by John McCurry / contributing writer The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population of Texas to be about 40 percent and growing. That makes for a highly competitive market for the grocery chains across the state focusing on this key demographic. El Rancho Supermercado, founded in 1988, is among those. The rise of the […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Center Store, Home Page Slider, Midwest

MIDWEST: Skippy Peanut Butter Introduces 3 New Protein Products

The makers of Skippy peanut butter recently launched of three new products, providing consumers with more ways to add high-protein, plant-based and functional foods to their diets. Skippy Squeeze Peanut Butter and Skippy Peanut Butter Spreads, Skippy No Sugar Added Peanut Butter Spreads and Skippy Added Protein Peanut Butter will be available at select retailers […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Home Page Latest News, Nonfood Items, Southeast

SOUTHEAST: Food Lion To Acquire 62 Stores Across Carolinas, Georgia, From SEG

Food Lion says it will acquire 62 BI-LO/Harveys Supermarket stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia from Southeastern Grocers. “We are so excited to add these new locations to our more than 630 stores across Georgia and the Carolinas,” said Food Lion President Meg Ham. “We’ve been serving customers in these larger regions for […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology

MIDWEST: AWG Plans New All-In-One Distribution Hub In Mississippi

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) says it plans to build a new state-of-the art distribution hub in Hernando, Mississippi, subject to incentive approval. The new facility will be completed in 2023 and will feature automation technology and an evolved organizational infrastructure designed to enable long-term, sustainable growth and success for its retail members. It also will […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Frozen Food, Home Page Slider, Midwest

MIDWEST: Nestlé Introduces New Life Cuisine, Improves Lean Cuisine Portfolio

Nestlé is introducing Life Cuisine, a new brand delivering meal solutions for those who like to eat well. Over the years, the definition of wellness has evolved from calorie-conscious eating to a more holistic approach that extends well beyond just what’s on your plate. Once-niche dietary trends like gluten free and meatless meals also have […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Albertsons, Executive News, Home Page Slider, West

WEST: WAFC Announces New Officers, Board Members For 2020-21

The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected its 2020-21 officers and board of directors on May 2, during a WAFC Executive Committee meeting. The new officers are: President and Chairman Greg McNiff, president of Stater Bros. Markets; Vice President Scott Drew, EVP of Smart & Final Stores; Treasurer Pat Posey, VP of non-perishable procurement […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, Southwest

South Texas Meat Markets Adjust To COVID-19 Pandemic

By John McCurry/contributing writer Even during a pandemic, holiday weekends in Texas are prime selling times for meat. Just ask Carter Ray, co-owner of Wiatrek’s Meat Market in Poth and San Antonio. “Usually holiday weekends bring about 30 percent more business,” Ray told The Shelby Report a few days before Memorial Day. “That, added to […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National

HR & Benefits: What Does Working After COVID-19 Sheltering Look Like?

HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. There was no way to predict the change in the workplace landscape that would take place mid-March of 2020. As a grocer, you not only feel financial threat and health fears but also all kinds of new learning, remote and […]

Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Latest News, Southeast

SOUTHEAST: Lidl Plans Soft Opening May 27 In Suwanee, GA For 100th Store

Lidl will hold a soft opening Wednesday, May 27, at its new food market at 2985 Peachtree Parkway in Suwanee, Georgia. This location will be Lidl’s 100th store in the United States. The company currently employs more than 5,000 team members across nine East Coast states. To keep customers and employees safe during the public health […]