by Ron Fong/CGA president and CEO Special to The Shelby Report The California Legislature is in full swing and despite talk of legislators taking it slow and not introducing a number of bills, this session is shaping up to be one of the busiest in quite some time. California Grocers Association (CGA) staff is sifting […]
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, Feature, National
Technology Is Changing How Your Customers Shop
by Rick Rusch/Special to The Shelby Report Technology is impacting consumers’ behavior in virtually every aspect of life. Including grocery shopping. Grocers who address consumers’ taste for technology in shopping will win easily over competitors who chose to ignore the trend. Smartphones and technology Driven in large part by the smartphone, consumers today are armed […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Southwest, Whole Foods
Kroger Has $78 Million In Plans For Houston Market
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Houston rivals Dallas-Fort Worth as the Lone Star State’s top economic powerhouse. Three times out of the past four years, Houston has been named the No. 1 “Top Metro” in the U.S. for corporate relocations and expansions by Site Selection magazine. In 2012, the greater metro area recorded 325 new or […]
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
Walmart Got Above Its Raising
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Walmart is always making headlines. Always. Recent ones have focused on its struggle to keep fresh items in stock. I would argue that the problem stretches into center store, too. General merchandise aisles seem to be fine, since there’s no shortage of boxers, Barbie dolls or bullets—well, maybe bullets. What is […]
Posted in, Market Profile, West
Innovative Formats, Expansion Projects Lead The Way In The Beaver State
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer “Changing” might be the most appropriate word to describe the Oregon marketplace. From unique store formats to expansions and more, The Beaver State already is seeing signs of transformation early in the new year. Local and health-driven segments take stronger hold in Portland Local Choice Produce Market Local Choice Produce Market […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Retailer Need Drives NGA’s Leaps In Technology
More than 2,700 retailers, wholesalers and suppliers recently joined us for the 2013 NGA Show in Las Vegas. As I said in my February column, our goal was to offer new and innovative resources to the industry, particularly in the area of technology. The show opened with a conversation I had with Joe Sheridan, president […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Midwest
Lincoln And Omaha Bustle With Retail Construction Activity
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor The proliferation of Walmart Neighborhood Market stores in and around Omaha has begun. On March 1, Walmart opened the first two of the grocery-centered Neighborhood Market stores, one at 13015 Birch Dr. in Omaha and the other at 2109 Towne Center Dr. in Bellevue near Offutt Air Force Base. Over the […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southeast
South Florida Ripe For Grocery As Recovery Bests Rest Of State
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer As goes the population, so goes the grocery business; their growth generally runs parallel. That’s according to John Fleming, communications director for the Florida Retail Federation (FRF). “In general, Florida is growing at a healthy pace,” Fleming tells The Shelby Report. “In Florida, specifically, population growth is a big driver of […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Dippin’ Dots Invests $3.1M In The Ice Cream Of The Future
by Heather Blount/staff writer Dippin’ Dots LLC, the maker of novelty ice cream and frozen treats, announced plans for a $3.1 million modernization and renovation at its Paducah, Ky., manufacturing facility in mid-January. Company executives told The Shelby Report that this investment opens many new doors for Dippin’ Dots, including new products and new distribution. […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Southwest, Whole Foods
The Question: Which Retailers Aren’t Opening In North Texas?
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor From Amazon to Trader Joe’s to WinCo Foods, along with home state natives Brookshire Grocery Co., H-E-B, United Supermarkets and Whole Foods Market, a bevy of retailers have got it bad for north Texas. They are opening stores, sure, but also distribution centers, one to make good on a promise and […]
Posted in, Market Profile, West
Remodels, New Store Openings Dominate Competitive SoCal Marketplace
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Late last year marked the first time since January 2009 that California’s statewide unemployment rate fell below double digits. But at a rate of 9.8 percent, the Golden State still has far to go before it bests, or simply runs relatively even, with the national rate of 7.9 percent. The southern […]
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
Once Again…A Proud History Shared
There are very few times in life when you have the opportunity and privilege of being part of, and announcing, the merger of two enduring, respected publications who share a history like The Griffin Report and The Shelby Report. We are extremely pleased to share with you this great news here. As of March 1, […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southeast
Alabama 2013: Changes To State’s SNAP, Disaster Response And Healthcare
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Alabama has more to celebrate than the Crimson Tide’s recent BCS National Championship. While the tough times are certainly not over for the state or the country, forecasts indicate that the Alabama economy will continue to experience modest improvement in 2013. The state’s unemployment rate of 7.5 is below the 7.8 […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Northeast
Outlook Bright For Delaware, But State Still Faces Budget Challenges
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer The economic recovery in Delaware will move from lagging the national economy to leading it over the course of this upcoming year. That’s according to a first quarter 2013 Delaware Market Outlook from The PNC Financial Services Group. “In the near term, the state’s exposure to Europe and the lack of […]
Posted in, Market Profile, West
Economy Improving, But Significant Growth Proves Slow-Coming For Nevada
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer While the Nevada economy appears to have improved slightly over the course of 2012, the Silver State has a long way to go in catching up with the pace of recovery being experienced by the rest of the U.S. and even most other western states. According to Dr. Stephen P.A. Brown, […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Midwest
Minnesota 2013: Democrat Control Of House, Senate Could Impact Grocers
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Grocers are “subtle partners within their community,” says Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). The words “Consumers, Careers & Communities” are prominently displayed on the MGA website, and though she knows they hate to do it, Pfuhl wishes grocers would do a bit better job touting what they […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Northeast
Retail Sector Emerges Modestly Triumphant In Flat Maine Economy
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Though the Maine economy remains flat, as it has for the last several years, there is a bright spot, albeit dimmer than most would like, and it’s in retail. According to Charles S. Colgan, professor of public policy and management for the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southeast
Modest Growth Expected For Georgia In 2013, But National Fears Loom
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal reported in early December that the state is doing OK. His office’s highest priority continues to involve bringing new industry to the state in order to create jobs. The Peach State’s unemployment remains high, at 8.5 percent, above the national rate of 7.7 percent. “As of mid-2012, […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Status Quo The Result Of Election 2012
If you live in one of the 2012 battleground states, you are probably thankful that Election Day has come and gone. Your phone has stopped ringing, your mailbox is not overflowing with political flyers and you can watch television without being bombarded with ads for candidates and causes. A record $6 billion was spent in […]
Posted in, Market Profile, West
Arizona Shows Signs Of Recovery With Growth In Housing, Real Estate Market
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer The housing and real estate market, which many consider the best gauge of how the economy is doing, certainly appears to be improving in Arizona. In Phoenix alone this year, home prices have risen by more than 20 percent, the highest of any city in the country, according to Tim McCabe, […]