For 60 years, Tops Markets has maintained a loyal customer base by combining unparalleled selection with exceptional customer service. “No matter what iteration we’ve been through as a company, our core focus has been the same,” said Mike Nugent, VP of merchandising. “Our consumers have never wavered in their understanding of who we are. That […]
Category: Shelby Originals
Exclusive, in-depth stories from the Shelby team. Explore Food Industry features, market profiles, and unique perspectives from industry leaders.
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Northeast
Tops Committed To ‘Neighbor Helping Neighbors’
It’s all about local at Tops Markets. From partnering with local suppliers and working with neighborhood community groups to customizing displays and products to a particular store, Tops continues to localize the shopping experience for its customers. “Our mission statement is to be the neighborhood store, and we take that to heart,” said Jeff Cady, […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Northeast
From Stores To Corporate, ‘Greatest Advantage Is Our People’
Maintaining a people-first culture is a priority for Tops Markets. The company is known for its people-centered approach and cooperative management style. “Our greatest advantage is our people, from the stores to the corporate office. A culture built over years of service makes a difference,” said Frank Curci, CEO of Northeast Grocery, the parent company […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Northeast
Tops Has Strong Roots In Past, Well Positioned For Future
Acquisitions, a divestiture, a management buyout – Tops Friendly Markets has seen its share of changes in the last two decades. But the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong identity for the Tops brand has never wavered from its beginnings as the go-to neighborhood store. Fresh off a November 2021 merger with Price Chopper/Market 32 […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, National
IGA CEO ‘Super Optimistic’ For Future Of Independent Grocers
Shelby Publishing is accepting nominations for its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards program, which honors the role independent grocers play in the industry. Independent grocers make up a large segment of the industry, with more than 33 percent of overall grocery sales, according to IGA CEO John Ross. That number is up nearly 25 percent compared […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
What Does 2023 Have In Store For Independents?
Winston Churchill once said, “A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen.” The same could very well be said of grocery market analysts. Who could have predicted a global pandemic, war […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, Northeast
Tops Friendly Markets Celebrates 60th Anniversary
In honor of Tops Friendly Markets’ 60th anniversary in 2022, The Shelby Report presents a special section to commemorate the occasion. The grocer is positioned to enter the next decade with a defendable network of stores, widespread consumer acceptance, new store format and a dedicated group of employees. Join us in the pages below as […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Innovator of the Year, West
Cardenas’ Doug Sanders Named To Food Industry Hall Of Fame
Doug Sanders was raised in the East Texas town of Nacogdoches, which sits two hours north of Houston and three hours southeast of Dallas. Sanders grew up spending summers working on his grandparents’ farm. Now in his 38th year in the grocery industry, he finds himself serving as chairman and CEO of California-based Cardenas Markets, […]