by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor “Somebody told my wife the other day that we had flunked retirement, because I’m 82 and my wife is right behind me,” said Leroy “Perk” Odell, owner of Super’s stores in Akron, Wiggins, Haxtun and Walden, Colorado. Perk and Betty Odell are back in the business so that communities in Colorado […]
Category: Shelby Content
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted in, Independent Store News, National, The Independent Perspective
Four-Star General, Stanley McChrystal, To Deliver 2016 NGA Show Keynote
The National Grocers Association (NGA) said Tuesday that retired Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal will present the opening keynote address at the 2016 NGA Show, to be held Feb. 28-March 2 in Las Vegas. McChrystal, a four-star general and former Green Beret, led the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in Iraq during the Persian Gulf Wars […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, The Independent Perspective, West
Independent Spotlight: Foods Etc IGA, Susanville Supermarket IGA More Than Grocery Stores
Dennis Darling started bagging groceries at his local independent grocery store while still in high school. It’s where he says he not only discovered a career but met his wife of 41 years, Ruth. At the store, he was promoted quickly up the ladder and started managing for that same company at age 23. Eventually, […]
Posted in, National, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, The Independent Perspective, Women In The News
As First Woman Supermarket Manager, Carole Bitter Has Led Industry For Women
Carole Bitter grew up in a time when opportunities in management for women in the grocery industry did not exist. Even as the daughter of supermarket owners, she never considered running the family business because the heir apparent was a male cousin. Bitter’s grandfather came to the U.S. from Austria-Hungary at the turn of the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Industry News, Market Profile, Shelby Signature Content, Southeast
Tennessee Food Retailers Face Challenges In Readying For Wine Sales Next Year
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer A referendum to allow food retailers in Tennessee to sell wine passed everywhere it was on the ballot last year. While getting that referendum on the November ballot was a long and oftentimes arduous process, the challenges aren’t over. Grocery stores in the 78 municipalities where wine sales will be allowed in […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Independent Store News, Industry News, International Foods, National, Shelby Signature Content
AWG Continues To Strengthen Focus On Hispanic Business
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer It would probably be an understatement to say that Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) puts a special focus on its Hispanic business. The Kansas City, Kansas-based wholesaler has been growing its Hispanic segment over the last four years and has seen a more than 500 percent increase in sales, according to Carlos […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Midwest
Show Me State Grocers Have A Trusted Friend In The State House
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Dan Shaul is state director of the Missouri Grocers Association (MGA) and last year added another impressive title: Missouri State Representative, 113th District. The experience has given him, in his words, the opportunity to see “how the sausage is truly made.” The knowledge he is gaining and relationships he is building […]
Posted in, Guest Contributors, Industry News, National, Shelby Signature Content
For A Healthy Return, Invest Executive Time In New Hires
If your company does not arrange for a member of senior management to spend time with new hires during basic training you are missing an opportunity. The opportunity to help newly hired employees get a clear understanding of your company’s brand character as well as the financial drivers that make a retail grocery business successful. […]
Posted in, Merchandising News, Midwest, Perishables, Shelby Signature Content
Dutch Farms Grew From Basement Into Award-Winning Business
Company stays on trend with egg traceability technology It all started in 1987 in the basement of Brian Boomsma’s house in Highland, Indiana, where Dutch Farms’ first office was set up. Initially, the company offered only eggs, which is worthy of note, considering a revolutionary technology regarding eggs debuted at the Dutch Farms buying show […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National, Online Grocery Technology, The Independent Perspective
Technology Is Revolutionizing Shopping
The NGA Show concluded in February, but I still find myself thinking about how new technology innovations are changing the fundamental nature of grocery shopping. The impact of consumer-facing technology was a huge topic among show attendees. Several breakout sessions presented fascinating updates on the latest tech ideas that are driving rapid change throughout the […]
Posted in, National, Perspectives, Women In The News
WGA Thrives At NGA Show
by Aileen Munster/VP of Education & Research, National Grocers Association The Women Grocers of America (WGA) showed off their pride and spirit in a number of different events at this year’s NGA Show. Furthering its mission to develop the next generation of industry leaders, with an emphasis on young women, WGA once again organized its annual […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
GMA’s Foley Joins Government Relations Team At NGA
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has hired Matthew Foley as its senior manager of government relations. “Matt joins us with government and industry affairs experience and has a strong understanding of food policy and member relations,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA’s VP of public affairs. “NGA is pleased to strengthen our government relations team and further […]
Posted inWoman Executive of the Year, Marketing News, Shelby Content, Shelby Honorees, Shelby Signature Content, Special Section, West, Women In The News
2015 Woman Executive Of The Year: Tanya Domier
While she always aimed high, Tanya Domier never really set her sights on being a CEO. “I never grew up or even went through the business feeling like I needed to be number 1 in the organization,” she says. Today, however, Domier leads Advantage Sales & Marketing as its CEO. And there’s plenty of reasons […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Store News, West
California WIC Moratorium Is Lifted
The moratorium for stores to apply for authorization in the California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program was lifted Feb. 1. The announcement was made by Dr. Ron Chapman, director and state health officer at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). “This positive step will improve availability and access for the approximately 1.4 million […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Deli News, Feature, National, Perishables, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, Special Section, Whole Foods
Millennials Come In All Shapes And Sizes…And Have Varied Shopping Habits
Millennials are, without a doubt, one of today’s most influential demographic groups when it comes to marketing. The reason so much attention has been given to this group of 18- to 34-year-olds is because of sheer numbers: There are about 74.3 million of them, or about 30 percent of the U.S. adult population. With numbers […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, Special Section, West
2014 Food Industry Hall Of Fame Inductee: ‘I Learned A Lot On The Night Shift’
Safeway’s Karl Schroeder hasn’t always been a West Coaster, but he has always been involved in the grocery business. Schroeder, president of the Pleasanton-based company’s Northern California Division, grew up in New York—the son of an Air Force veteran who, upon emerging from World War II, opened a corner store. “We, for part of my […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southeast
Georgia Profile: Foothills A 2015 IGA Finalist, New Store Activity Afoot Across State
There are thousands of IGA stores around the world, yet one of Georgia’s own is among six stores in the U.S. that is a 2015 IGA USA International Retailer of the Year finalist. Moreover, it’s not the first time the 25,000-s.f. store has been a finalist. Foothills IGA in Marble Hill, owned by Jeff and […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Market Profile, West
2015 Arizona Profile: Playing Host To Super Bowl Should Get State Off To Healthy Start In 2015
Arizona will host Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1. As if that alone isn’t generating enough excitement across the Grand Canyon State, there’s a real possibility that Arizona’s home team—the Cardinals—will be playing in the big game. At this writing, the Cardinals’ record stood at 9-3, ranking the team first in the NFC Western Division. […]
Posted in, Feature, Grocery News, National, Shelby Signature Content
The Art Of Pricing—Is Walmart’s Price First Smart?
Some experts claim the U.S. economy has nearly recovered. Now if someone could convince American consumers the economy is better, retailers across all sectors would jump for joy. Unfortunately, that doesn’t look promising. Today, nearly half the U.S. population thinks the United States is still in recession, according to a recent Wall Street Journal poll. […]