Co-owner: Many towns would be ‘food deserts if we weren’t there’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer The way Ron Martin sees it, small-town local grocery stores like those operated by Virginia-based Grant’s IGA are “a lifeline to the community.” Without them, many towns would be left without access to fresh food. Grant is president and […]
Category: COVID News
COVID-19 NEWS
This is an unprecedented time in our history. As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, we at The Shelby Report are committed to keeping you informed of the latest news and developments in the food manufacturing, distribution and retail channels, which are so vital to the survival of communities across our country and across the world. Read about recent developments here; we will continue to share stories as the fight against this global pandemic continues.
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, National
FMI Presents Latest Grocery Shopper Trends COVID-19 Tracker Research
FMI – The Food Industry Association headquartered in Arlington,Virginia, has released its latest U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends COVID-19 Tracker research, which looks at consumers’ plans for the holiday season, sports viewing and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on grocery shopping habits. To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the perceptions and behaviors of grocery shoppers, FMI and The Harman Group are actively surveying […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, COVID News, Home Page Slider, National, Shelby Originals
IGA Pleased With Popularity Of Its Label In Marketplace
New look, pandemic have boosted sales by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer This is the first article in a three-part series by The Shelby Report on private label brands. The Independent Grocers Alliance recently finished a renaissance of its private label brand, which timed well with the surge in grocery sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. One […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, COVID News, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Originals
Savings, Supply Shortages Turn Shoppers To Private Brands
Majority of items ‘comparable if not better’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer This is the second article in a three-part series by The Shelby Report on private label brands. Affiliated Foods Amarillo is having an “incredible year” in private brand sales, according to the president and CEO of the Amarillo, Texas-based wholesaler, Randy Arceneaux. Year-to-date, […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, National
Column: Retailers Need To Cash And Tax Plan Now
by Tatyana Levy, CFO of FMS Solutions Holdings COVID-19 has created an interesting environment for the independent grocer and the world. Independents have done an excellent job serving their communities and insuring a safe environment for their employees and customers alike. As we look forward to a vaccine and a return to normal, retailers may […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Hy-Vee Expands Free COVID-19 Testing To 150-Plus Locations
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee has expanded free COVID-19 testing to more than 150 of its pharmacy locations throughout its eight-state region. The testing was first rolled out in August to 11 Hy-Vee pharmacy locations. Each pharmacy location can accommodate up to 12 patients per hour. The tests are free and are administered via a Hy-Vee […]
Posted inCOVID News, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, The Kroger Co., West
Teamsters Prepare To Strike Against Some SoCal Grocers
More than 4,000 Teamster warehouse workers and truck drivers that deliver food and supplies to Southern California grocery stores are facing the possibility of a work shutdown. Grocery supply chain workers and their employers – Albertsons (includes Vons and Pavilions) and Kroger (includes Ralphs and Food4Less) – have been in contract negotiations since early August. The workers’ contract expired on Sept. […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, National
3 Out Of 4 Consumers Fear Getting COVID-19 While Grocery Shopping
Despite social distancing, face coverings and tactics like one-way aisles, consumers remain wary about their safety while grocery shopping. A new poll reports that nearly 75 percent of consumers are concerned about catching COVID-19 while grocery shopping. The survey also reveals high frustration with the shopping experience and suggests ways grocery managers can relieve pain […]
Posted inCOVID News, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Safeway Pharmacies Now Offer At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
Safeway pharmacies in Maryland, Virginia, D.C., and Delaware are now offering at-home COVID-19 saliva test kits. The saliva tests offered at Safeway (in partnership with Phosphorus Diagnostics) typically offer results in 72 hours or less from the time the lab receives the test. Here’s how it works: Visit scheduletest.com to complete a short medical questionnaire and request […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, National
Independent Grocer Testifies Before U.S. House Committee
Independent grocer Jimmy Wright, owner of Opelika, Alabama-based Wright’s Market, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business on Wednesday, Sept. 30, on behalf of the National Grocers Association (NGA). The hearing was titled “How COVID-19 is Impacting Small Businesses Across the Food System.” Wright was one of four business leaders scheduled […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: Staffing Was A Challenge For Lowcountry Grocers
by John McCurry, contributing writer Lynn Willard formed Lowcountry Grocers in 2014. The company began with six stores, all in the eastern half of South Carolina, and has gradually grown to 12 locations. Willard said there has been a large learning curve during the pandemic. As is the case with many grocers, the big challenge […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: Fairvalue Owner Hails Guidance, Leadership Of IGA
by John McCurry, contributing writer Fairvalue has been the prominent independent grocer in Caldwell County, North Carolina, for more than 75 years. The company currently operates stores in Lenoir and Granite Falls. Shawn Yambor is the current owner, following in the footsteps of his father, who had a long career in the industry. Yambor’s parents purchased […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, COVID News, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: Piggly Wiggly Keeping Pace With Pandemic Challenges, Changes
Manufacturers don’t ‘see this going away’ until late 2021 by John McCurry, contributing writer James Messer knows the grocery business. The Lenoir, North Carolina, native has spent the past 45 years in the industry. Now president of Piggly Wiggly North Carolina LLC, he oversees 38 stores in the eastern part of the state. Without doubt […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, National
NRF: August Retail Sales Grow As Pandemic Recovery Continues
Retail sales continued to recover from the coronavirus pandemic in August, showing a gradual improvement from July and larger gains year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said. “While August retail sales numbers were a bit mixed, we believe the consumer is resilient and is in good shape as we head into the holiday season,” said NRF […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Grocery Stores Use UV, Blue Lights To Keep Customers, Products Safe
The COVID-19 pandemic is making the grocery industry take a different look at how it is going to protect customers and employees. Sentry Foods in Delafield, Wisconsin, and Neu-Tech Energy Solutions, an LED lighting supplier, are working together to install bacteria-killing blue lights and UVC light fixtures that disinfect both bacteria and viruses – including the coronavirus […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
BGC To Extend Hourly Appreciation Pay For Retail, Logistics Employees
Brookshire Grocery Co. remains committed to its frontline employee-partners by extending its Appreciation Pay to Nov. 6 as a “thank you” to employee-partners for doing their best every day to serve customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Appreciation Pay is an extension of the pay increase ($1 an hour extra) that started March 24 for […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Latest News, National
Acosta Report Details How COVID-19 Is Reinventing How America Eats
Consumer spending drastically changed when the coronavirus hit the U.S., impacting the trajectory of retail food and beverage and foodservice sales. COVID-19: Reinventing How America Eats, a new report from Acosta, a Jacksonville, Florida-based full-service sales and marketing agency in the CPG industry, breaks down changes to retail spending and eating habits and highlights new opportunities for manufacturers. “With […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Kroger Atlanta Division Sponsoring Drive-Through Flu Shot Clinics
Kroger’s Atlanta Division, supported by Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., says it has developed a comprehensive flu shot program, designed to help local customers get their recommended vaccines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The program includes touchless in-store appointments and Drive-Through Flu Shot Clinics. All flu shot appointments can be booked online. Drive-ups […]
Posted inMeijer, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Meijer Extends Teacher Discount For Entire 2020-21 School Year
With schools across the Midwest starting classes, Meijer is giving a little help to teachers who will be buying school supplies for their classrooms and home offices out of their own pocket. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer is extending its 15 percent teacher discount on classroom essentials to be available for the entire 2020-21 school year. […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
BGC Extends Discount For Seniors, Critical Emergency Service Providers
Brookshire Grocery Co. is extending its discount programs through Oct. 6 for senior citizens and critical and emergency service providers in all four of its banners – Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market and Fresh by Brookshire’s. BGC has offered both discount programs since March. Senior citizen discount BGC is extending the 5 percent daily […]