Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer Meijer is working to expand its pet departments for an even larger assortment of everyday essentials like food and grooming supplies, as well as the increasingly popular Halloween costumes. According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 29 million people plan to dress their pets up for Halloween, and Meijer has […]
Category: Midwest
The Shelby Report of the Midwest covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Beverage News, C-Store News, Deli News, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology, Perishables, Snacks Brands
Kum & Go Commits To Healthier Convenience Retailing With PHA, NACS
Kum & Go has made a commitment with the nonprofit Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) to offer healthier foods throughout its 400 locations. PHA has helped to expand healthier options in more than 2,500 convenience store locations nationwide. A NACS member, Kum & Go is a […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Corporate Store News, Midwest, Packaging News, Perishables, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Mighty Spark Launches All-Natural Poultry At Walmart And CVS
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Mighty Spark, an independent company that donates a meal with each purchase consumers make of its all-natural poultry, is expanding its assortment and presence at retailers nationwide with the launch of patties and ground blends at select Walmart stores, and chicken snack sticks at 2,500 CVS locations. “In addition to launching at Walmart […]
Posted inSuppliers, Midwest, Produce News
Michigan Lawmakers Fund Program Supporting State Farmers, Families
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Fair Food Network recognized Michigan lawmakers for their bipartisan support for a homegrown program supporting farmers and families. The House and Senate approved $1 million for the healthy food incentive program Double Up Food Bucks in the state 2020 budget that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Oct. 1. This is in addition to […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Center Store, Grocery Store Equipment, Grocery Store Layout, Merchandising News, Midwest, New Products, Packaging News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Conagra Brands Set To Showcase New Snacks At NACS Show
Chicago-based Conagra Brands Inc. will be bringing a lineup of its snacks to the 2019 NACS Show, presented by the National Association of Convenience Stores, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Oct. 2-4. According to IRI data, Conagra Brands’ $2 billion snacks business is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the food […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Industry News, Midwest, Store News, Suppliers, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Michigan Grocers Division Honors Busch’s, H.T. Hackney
The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) Grocers Division has named Busch’s Fresh Food Market and H.T. Hackney Co. as its 2019 Al Kessel Outstanding Achievement Award winners. Launched in 2013, the award memorializes former Michigan Grocers Association Director Albert “Al” Kessel, Jr., who founded the Flint-based Kessel Food Market chain. To reflect his generous spirit, one […]
Posted inDeli News, Corporate Store News, Food Service News, Grocery Store Equipment, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Kroger Opens Two-Level Store In Cincinnati With First-Ever Food Hall
On Sept. 25, The Kroger Co. opened a new, 52,000-s.f., two-level urban-format store in downtown Cincinnati, offering the grocer’s first-ever food hall, named On The Rhine Eatery. The experience features Cincinnati eateries Django Western Taco, Dope! Asian Street Fare, Eli’s BBQ and Queen City Whip, as well as Kitchen 1883 Café and Bar, Kroger’s American […]
Posted inBeverage News, Center Store, Midwest, New Products, Packaging News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Kraft Heinz, Baileys Launch Ready-To-Drink Cold Brew, Coffee, K-Cups
Kraft Heinz partnered with cream liqueur maker Baileys to launch three non-alcoholic products. They are: • Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew Coffee in Irish Cream and Salted Caramel flavors; SRP $2.39; • Roast and ground coffee bags in Irish Cream and Chocolate Cherry; SRP $7.99; and • 10-count Keurig K-Cup pods in Irish Cream and Chocolate Cherry; […]
Posted inMidwest, Health & Wellness, Independent Store News
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Partners With The American Heart Association
Wooster, Ohio-based Buehler’s Fresh Foods will be promoting a Life is Why We Give campaign at the registers of all 13 of its stores from Sept. 15 until Oct. 13, asking customers to buy hearts for $1, $3 or $5 in support of the American Heart Association of Stark and Wayne counties. Customers are encouraged […]
Posted inMidwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Establishes Preferred Partnership With RSSG
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has formed a preferred partnership with Retail Software Solutions Group (RSSG), a solutions provider to independent retailers. RSSG’s DealW!se and PriceW!se products identify opportunities to improve sales, pricing and profitability. The solutions are integrated with AWG and deliver highly-focused, actionable intelligence on critical aspects of store operations. […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Deli News, Midwest, Packaging News, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
Dakota Provisions Launches Turkey Brand Dakota 44
Huron, South Dakota-based protein manufacturer Dakota Provisions has launched its first consumer turkey products brand, Dakota 44. Dakota 44 offers a variety of fresh turkey products in on-trend flavor profiles that come in several easy-meal and snacking forms. These products are driven by three core consumer demands: bolder flavors, greater ease and more transparency. As […]
Posted inMidwest, Amazon Fresh, Beverage News, Home Page Slider, New Products, Packaging News, Whole Foods, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Ritual Zero Proof Echoes Taste, Nose, Burn Of Traditional Liquor
Consumers now have a new way to mark a moment with the launch of Ritual Zero Proof, the first American-made gin and whiskey alternatives to have the flavor, smell and burn of traditional spirits—without the alcohol or calories. Consumers today want more choices when it comes to beverages. They are conscious of drinking “better not […]
Posted inMidwest, Executive News, Independent Store News
Lunds & Byerlys Appoints Jeff Meek As Its New CFO
Jeff Meek recently joined Lunds & Byerlys as CFO. Meek is a finance and accounting veteran whose career includes extensive experience in an executive leadership role. As CFO at Edina, Minnesota-based Lunds & Byerlys, Meek will oversee finance, accounting, employee experience and information services. He was most recently EVP and CFO at Fleet Farm in […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Just Bare Chicken To Host Celebration In St. Louis
As part of the #ThighsForTheWin campaign, Just Bare Chicken is hosting a celebration to honor St. Louis’ legacy of champions. Just Bare Chicken will host the celebration during The Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Balloon Glow in St. Louis, Sept. 20-21. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, and will feature music, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, Packaging News, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed Beef Can Carry New Label
Combining regenerative agriculture and holistic management, Becker, Minnesota-based Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed is launching its redesigned regenerative label on all of its more than 50 case-ready products. Third-party certified by the American Grassfed Association, Thousand Hills has approval to add statements on the label noting the benefits regenerative agriculture has on building topsoil, sequestering carbon, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Dot Foods’ George Eversman Receives CDA Dean Of The Industry Award
George Eversman, EVP, retail and business development for Dot Foods, was presented with the Convenience Distribution Association (CDA) Dean of the Industry award at the Convenience Distribution Business Exchange awards luncheon on Sept. 10 in Chicago. Eversman grew up just 40 miles from Dot Foods’ headquarters in Sterling, Illinois. After graduating from the University of […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Center Store, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Perishables, Produce News, Suppliers
Good Foods Declares Charitable Mission To Support No Kid Hungry
Good Foods is supporting No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America during the back-to-school season. Through education and charitable endeavors, Good Foods and No Kid Hungry are focused on a mutual dedication to bringing communities together around food. Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin-based Good Foods makes all-natural products such as guacamoles, dips, […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Executive News, Independent Store News, Marketing News, Midwest, Shelby Signature Content
People To Watch: Nick Lenzi Of Busch’s Fresh Food Market
The Shelby Report and The Grocery Group have introduced a new series entitled People to Watch that focuses on current and future leadership in the grocery industry. In this installment, The Grocery Group Founder and CEO Cindy Sorensen interviews Nick Lenzi, SVP of sales and marketing for Busch’s Fresh Food Market, which is based in […]
Posted inGrocery News, Grocery Store Layout, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Industry News, Merchandising News, Midwest, Organic Natural, Specialty, Store News
Fruitful Yield Opens ‘Store Within a Store’ In Angelo Caputo’s
Fruitful Yield opened a store-within-a-store in the Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets location at 520 E North Avenue in Carol Stream, Illinois, in August. The goal of the partnership is to provide shoppers a one-stop shop for health, wellness and grocery needs. Fruitful Yield stores’ product mix include foods that are organic, natural, wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free […]
Posted inAssociation News, Health & Wellness, Midwest
Minn. Gov. Tim Walz Proclaims September 2019 Family Meals Month
The proven health and societal benefits of family meals have inspired a month-long event aimed at helping families get back to the table. Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed September as Family Meals Month. Grocers all across Minnesota are encouraging families to share one more meal together per week at home, and highlighting simple, healthy meal […]