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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Fresh Market Opens Location In Northbrook, IL
The Fresh Market that opened Feb. 26 in Northbrook, Illinois, is the speciality grocer’s seventh store in the greater-Chicago area and 168th location overall. The grand-opening celebration kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m., as well as a $2,000 donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The first 500 shoppers received special The […]
Unlocking The Midwest: Retail Strategies For Engaging Latino Consumers
by Diana Leza Sheehan In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Spending power among this diverse demographic group has reached more than […]
Building A Bigger Basket: The Power Of Cross-merchandising In Produce
One of the most exciting opportunities in grocery retail is helping customers build a bigger basket – not just by increasing produce sales but by bringing the entire store into the equation. When departments work together, they create meal solutions that make shopping easier for customers while driving sales across multiple categories. Why cross-merchandising works […]
North Dakota’s Grocers Adapting Amid Economic Shifts
North Dakota’s grocery industry is navigating changes, shaped by population growth, economic shifts and evolving consumer habits, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “We only have some 700,000 people in the whole state,” Dyste said. “I think as far as growth, we’re probably in the top five for people […]
Paylessfoods Team Joins G.F. Buche Grocery Family
Paylessfoods, a Mobridge, South Dakota, retail grocery operation since 1960, will become Buche Foods on Feb. 27, according to RF Buche, CEO and president of G.F. Buche Co. “We’re proud to have Paylessfoods join our seven other community grocery stores throughout South Dakota,” said Buche, a fourth-generation grocer. “The Stoick family has provided 65 years […]
Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care Opens Clinic In Davenport, IA
The Health Exemplar Care clinic that Hy-Vee Inc. has opened at 4255 Elmore Ave. in Davenport, Iowa, is its fifth in the state. The clinic offers walk-in care to the general public from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients of all ages can be seen for a variety of non-life-threatening conditions, including flu, fever, […]
Lakeview Farms, Noosa Yoghurt Merge To Form Novus Foods
Ohio-based Lakeview Farms has finalized its acquisition of noosa Holdings Inc. from The Campbell’s Company, merging the two businesses to form Novus Foods. Novus Foods will reflect the company’s goal to become the “leading CPG company for the refrigerated perimeter of the grocery store.” Announced Nov. 12, the merger was finalized Feb. 24 following the […]
Four Midwest Grocers Join DoorDash Delivery Platform
DoorDash has added four Midwest grocers – Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Festival Foods, Marc’s and Woodman’s Food Markets – to the DoorDash Marketplace. The new partners offer consumers across three states increased access, adding to the more than 500,000 products available from regional grocers on the platform. Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets: The family-owned business specializes […]
Hy-Vee, Caitlin Clark Foundation Launch Donation Campaign
Hy-Vee is partnering with the Caitlin Clark Foundation on a month-long donation campaign to end childhood hunger across the Midwest. The Caitlin Clark Foundation Round Up will take place March 1-31 across all Hy-Vee, Dollar Fresh Market and Fast & Fresh locations. Customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout, with […]
Natural Grocers Celebrates Wichita Store’s 10th Anniversary
Natural Grocers is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its store at 10520 W. 13th St. N. in Wichita, Kansas. From Feb. 21-23, customers can join the celebration with special {N}power member-only deals. Since opening in 2015, the store has been a source for organic and natural groceries, supplements and household essentials. The company, founded in […]
