The Fresh Market recently held a grand opening for a new store in Algonquin, Illinois, marking the grocer’s eighth location in the greater Chicago area and its fourth opening in the last five months. Officials from the local chamber of commerce, village government and Northern Illinois Food Bank representatives were on hand to celebrate the […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Hy-Vee Surpasses $1M In Support Of Hope For The Warriors Program
Hy-Vee raised $1.3 million in 2024 in support of Hope For The Warriors through its Hy-Vee Homefront initiative. Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit that provide services to help post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Hy-Vee operates more than 570 business units across nine Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, News, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Shares Progress In Corporate Responsibility Report
SpartanNash has published its 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report, providing details on how the company continues to strengthen its “People First” culture through advancements in employee safety, development, engagement, sustainability and governance. “The progress we’ve made is a testament to the dedication of our associates and leaders in shaping a vibrant ‘People First’ culture,” said SpartanNash […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer To Open 3 Northeast Ohio Supercenters May 8
On May 8, Meijer will open three supercenters – each totaling 159,000 square feet – in the northeastern Ohio cities of Austintown, Medina and Richmond Heights, increasing its store count in the state to 58. The stores will feature an assortment of fresh produce and grocery staples, including bakery, meat, seafood and deli departments, floral area, garden center, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Hometown Market Committed To Community, Family Connection
Independent grocery stores play a vital role in rural communities, but inflation, competition from big-box retailers and other challenges are putting increasing pressure on their operations. Blake Schwartz, owner of Hometown Market in St. Paul, Nebraska, said labor issues specifically are greatly impacting independents in his state. With Nebraska’s minimum wage set to rise to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocery Industry Faces Challenges, Opportunities Amid Economic Shifts
Nebraska’s grocery industry is at a crossroads as economic conditions shift and legislative policies evolve. Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, highlighted for The Shelby Report key concerns facing independent grocers, including competition from dollar stores, rising labor costs and wholesale pricing challenges. Nebraska’s economy is experiencing modest growth, influenced by […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Amid Mounting Issues, Nebraska Legislation Seeks To Support Rural Independent Grocers
Nebraska’s rural grocery stores are facing increasing financial and logistical hurdles, but new legislative efforts seek to provide targeted support to sustain these essential businesses. Carlie Jonas, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, has been involved in addressing these challenges. “We worked with one of the senators, Teresa Ibach, at […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Fareway, Midwest, News
Lottery Ticket Purchases At Checkout Debut In Select Fareway Stores
Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are now available for purchase in checkout lanes at select Fareway stores in Iowa, marking the option’s state debut. The Iowa Lottery purchase process, called Easy Play, soon will roll out to all Fareway locations in the state that sell tickets. Customers will be able to buy easy-pick tickets (meaning […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News
Lunds & Byerlys To Close Downtown St. Paul Location
Lunds & Byerlys plans to shutter its store at 115 East 10th St. in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, at the close of business March 26. “It’s a decision we didn’t want to make, but one we needed to make given the significant staffing and financial challenges we’ve experienced over the past five years,” the grocer […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Establishes E-Commerce Unit To Accelerate Online Growth
The Kroger Co. has established a new e-commerce business unit, aligning the teams contributing to all aspects of the online customer experience under the leadership of Yael Cosset, EVP and chief digital officer. Cosset, who also will continue in his role as SVP and chief information officer, will expand his responsibilities to include the new e-commerce […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News
AWG Brands Introduces New Products Focused On Innovation, Health, Convenience
AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., has introduced a lineup of new grocery products this quarter that includes an array of flavors, health-focused options and products that cater to convenience and growing consumer trends. The new AWG Best Choice private label products include: Avocado cooking spray – A health-conscious alternative […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Donates $112K To Support The Urban League
Schnucks Markets Inc., in partnership with its customers, donated $112,000 to support the Urban League through the fifth annual “Round Up at the Register.” The campaign ran Feb. 5-18, with customers donating $97,364 and Schnucks providing an additional $14,636. Customers had the option at checkout to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Retailer of the Year
BFS Transitioning Focus From Customer Service To Hospitality
Balls Food Stores has been recognized as The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year, an honor that celebrates the company’s dedication to innovation, community service and operational excellence. Scott Bayne, EVP of operations, attributes this recognition to the company’s forward-thinking leadership, commitment to its teammates and ongoing transformation into a teammate […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Target Shares Strategic Plan To Drive $15B In Sales By 2030
During its financial community meeting March 4, Target Corp. outlined how ongoing investments aim to accelerate its strategic plan and drive billions of dollars of sales growth across its multi-channel business by 2030. The plans include: Bringing consumers an on-trend and affordable assortment; Reinforcing Target as the “destination for discovery” by blending its physical, digital […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Midwest, Retailer of the Year
BFS Charts Future With Employee Ownership, Growth Initiatives
Kansas City, Kansas-based Balls Food Stores (BFS) – The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2025 Retailer of the Year – is embarking on an ambitious new chapter, marked by employee ownership, a strategic growth initiative and deep commitment to its teammates. The independent grocer, which operates 25 stores under the Hen House, Price Chopper, Sun […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Schnucks
Schnucks Springboard Seeks Second Cohort For Business Accelerator
Schnuck Markets Inc., in partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, is seeking a second cohort of local and diverse-owned businesses to participate in the Schnucks Springboard accelerator program. Diverse-owned is defined as at least 51 percent owned, operated and managed by a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident that is a member of one […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
Minnesota Grocers Association Hosts 8th Annual Bipartisan Bag-Off
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) hosted its eighth annual Bipartisan Bag-Off on Feb. 26 at the state Capitol, highlighting Minnesota’s food industry and its impact on serving consumers, providing careers and investing in its communities. The bag-off featured representation from each of the four legislative caucuses and a member of the governor’s administration: Speaker of the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Executive News, Midwest, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Chair/CEO McMullen Resigns Following Investigation
The Kroger Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen has resigned following a board investigation of his personal conduct that, while unrelated to the business, was inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics, according to a March 3 statement from the company. Lead Director Ronald “Ron” Sargent has been appointed to serve as chairman […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest
Fareway Receives Several Awards At NGA Show
Fareway Stores has wrapped up a successful trip to the National Grocers Association Show, which ran Feb. 23-25 at the Ceasars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. For the second year in a row, Fareway received an Exceptional Independents Award from The Shelby Report. The honor showcases the grocer’s commitment to community, bringing people together […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Midwest
Jim’s SuperValu Thrives In Rural ND With Community-focused Innovation
For nearly 40 years, Jim’s SuperValu in Park River, North Dakota, has been a cornerstone of its rural community. Co-owner Diana Hahn, who has spent decades working in the store her parents purchased in 1986, understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with running an independent grocery store in a small town. “My dad […]