Conagra Brands Inc. revealed plans to build The Conagra Brands Center for Food Design in Chicago at 350 N. Orleans Street, next to its existing headquarters in The Merchandise Mart. The new 40,000-s.f. innovation center is an expansion of the company’s existing state-of-the-art research and development and culinary capabilities, and will focus on innovation related […]
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 inMidwest, Health & Wellness, Nonfood Items
Fareway Aims To Fill The Table For National Family Meals Month
Studies show extensive nutrition, social and mental health benefits associated with family meals, according to the Food Marketing Institute Foundation. That’s why Fareway has committed to be an active participant in September’s National Family Meals Month. People are hungry for help in the kitchen, and Fareway is hoping to spread the word about National Family […]
Posted inBeverage News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Packaging News, Produce News
Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic Names Mueller VP-Sales And Marketing
Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic has hired Carol Mueller as its VP of sales and marketing. “One sip of Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic and I knew I wanted to join the team,” says Mueller. “I am passionate about food that nurtures the body and the environment, and Fruitbelt’s focus on flavor and farmers makes this the perfect fit. […]
Posted inMidwest, Corporate Store News
SpartanNash Named 2020 Military Friendly Bronze Employer
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has been named among the nation’s 2020 Military Friendly Employers, earning bronze distinction. The annual list is compiled by Viqtory, whose mission is to provide veterans and their spouses with the finest choices for employment opportunities. “We are proud to once again be named a Military Friendly Employer, because we recognize […]
Posted inMidwest, Independent Store News, Marketing News
Balls Food Stores Set To Join Alliance Retail Group
Kansas City, Kansas-based Balls Food Stores will be joining Alliance Retail Group (ARG) on Sept. 29, ARG President Joe Wolf announced Aug. 26. Balls’ 24 stores are supplied by Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), which is based in Kansas City, Kansas. ARG, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is the largest self-negotiating ad group in the country. With […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Independent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Pharmacies Stocked With Flu Vaccine For 2019-20 Season
Hy-Vee Inc. said Aug. 27 that the flu vaccine is available without an appointment or prescription at its more than 270 Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations throughout its eight-state region. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people six months and older get a flu vaccine each year to prevent getting and spreading the flu […]
Posted inMidwest, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Women In The News
Meijer Chooses Rubino To Lead Its New Woodward Corner Market
Meijer has tapped Natalie Rubino, store director of the Meijer Supercenter on Coolidge in Royal Oak, Michigan, to lead its new neighborhood grocery store called Woodward Corner Market. The store will open in the Woodward Corners by Beaumont development at Thirteen Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak. “I live and breathe this community […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, Nonfood Items, Private Label Brands, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Bunzl R3 Introduces Right Choice Brand Of Paper Products
Bunzl R3, a Morton Grove, Illinois-based distribution service provider, has launched a new brand, Right Choice, a comprehensive line of towel, tissue and napkin products, ranging from hard-wound roll towels—popular in education, industrial and foodservice markets—to septic-safe bath tissue. Right Choice also offers beverage napkins, facial tissue and c-fold, center-pull, single-fold, multi-fold and kitchen roll […]
Posted inMidwest, Albertsons, Grocery Store Layout, Marketing News
MessageWrap Named To Inc. 5000 List For Its Fast Growth
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based MessageWrap has been named to the 2019 Inc. 5000 list as the 904th fastest growing company in the U.S. It works with retailers and CPGs nationwide. MessageWrap, which transforms the black conveyor belts at checkout into an antimicrobial surface printed with full-color moving graphics, credits this growth to “creating an in-store experience […]
Posted inDairy News, Frozen Food, Home Page Slider, Midwest, New Products, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Introduces Its New Churned Line
Cedarburg, Wisconsin-based Cedar Crest Ice Cream has introduced a new line of churned ice cream. The 48-oz. containers recently hit store freezers with flavors that include: Caramel Swirl, Strawberry, Mint ‘N Fudge and Vanilla. The new churned line was inspired in part by requests from loyal Cedar Crest customers for a lower fat and calorie […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Corporate Store News, Deli News, Midwest, Shelby Signature Content, Women In The News
People To Watch: Kroger’s Assistant Category Manager Marie Otto
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 Marie Otto, assistant category manager for deli occasions, Kroger. Sorensen’s questions are in bold. Tell […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Corporate Store News, Dairy News, Deli News, Home Page Slider, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, New Products, Private Label Brands, Produce News, Supply Chain News
Good & Gather, Target’s New Food Brand, Set To Release Sept. 15
Good & Gather, the latest addition to Target’s own-brand lineup, will hit stores on Sept. 15. The launch will bring 650 new products to the Minneapolis-based retailer’s shelves, with all 2,000-plus items available by late next year. The Good & Gather products range from dairy and produce to ready-made pastas, meats and more—all with no […]
Posted inMidwest, Independent Store News, Perishables, Supply Chain News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Reports Mixed Results For Second Quarter
On Aug. 14, SpartanNash Co. reported its results for its 12-week second quarter ended July 13, with a mixed bag of increases and decreases. The Michigan-based grocer had just announced its leadership transition, with Chairman Dennis Eidson stepping in to serve as interim president and CEO following the resignation of Dave Staples. “Consistent with our […]
Posted in, Center Store, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Organic Natural, Specialty, Wholesaler/Distributor News
New Condiment Called MustKetch Rolling Out In Chicagoland
Chicago-based Somers Family Specialties LLC has entered into a partnership with Norman Distribution to place Somers Family MustKetch on grocery and other retail shelves across Chicagoland. MustKetch is a new condiment category combining a proprietary mustard and ketchup recipe—along with an array of spices and natural flavors—to create three flavors—Original, Zesty and Smoke. Various combinations […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Hy-Vee Releases Statement Regarding Payment Card Data Incident
On Aug. 14, West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee Inc. released a statement regarding an investigation the company is conducting into a data incident involving its payment processing systems. The company operates 260 stores in eight Midwest states. Hy-Vee takes the security of payment card data very seriously. We want to make customers aware of an […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, New Products, Suppliers
Joia Spirit Adds Low-Sugar Varieties Of Its RTD Sparkling Cocktails
Joia Spirit has launched a low-sugar line of ready-to-drink premium sparkling cocktails. Joining the Mendota Heights, Minnesota-based company’s existing sparkling cocktail lineup of Cosmopolitan, Moscow Mule and Greyhound, the new low-sugar varieties are: • Sparkling Margarita: tequila with triple sec and an energetic squeeze of lime; crafted with 6g of sugar and 140 calories per […]
Posted inMidwest, Association News, Women In The News
IRMA’s Dawood Receives FMI’s 2019 MacManus Award
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has recognized Tanya Triche Dawood, VP and general counsel for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA), as its 2019 Donald H. MacManus Award recipient for her achievements in public and regulatory affairs. Dawood received the award Aug. 13 at FMI’s State Issues Retreat, an annual event that brings together food retail […]
Posted inMarketing News, Corporate Store News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Foundation Raises $300,000 For Patriotic Partners
Together with its store guests and company associates, the SpartanNash Foundation raised $300,000 for its patriotic nonprofit partners—Team Red, White & Blue, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember. Between June 26 and July 7, store guests who visited any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center had the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Industry News, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Signature Content, Store News
Market Profile: Kansas Grocers Still Seeking To Defeat High Food Sales Tax
by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Midwest Jon McCormick told the state House taxation committee in February that the Kansas Food Dealers Association (KFDA) has lost 150 stores in the last 20 years. He then gave a short list of reasons why that happened that included the usual suspects, like competition from Walmart, dollar stores and Aldi, but— perhaps […]
Posted inStore News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Industry News, Midwest
Fareway Cuts The Ribbon In Monmouth, Illinois
Fareway held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30 for a new store at 1181 North 6th Street in Monmouth, Illinois. The independent grocer says the 21,000-s.f. store has a full-service butcher counter and offers competitive prices as well as a high level of customer service, including to-your-car carryout. “We are excited for this new store […]