Shelby Originals | In-Depth Food Industry Stories & Analysis
Posted in, Southeast, The Independent Perspective

Southern Season Opens In Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

A Southern-style emporium featuring cooking classes, a specialty grocery store, a restaurant and more is now open for business in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Live 5 WCSC reports that Southern Season, located at 730 Coleman Blvd., is holding a grand opening celebration through Sept. 22. The festivities include live music, cooking demos, tastings and a “Southern […]

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, […]