In an effort to make fresh food more accessible, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has expanded the Flashfood program, making it the first retailer nationwide to accept SNAP benefits through the app. Meijer launched Flashfood in November 2019 at a handful of its supercenters in metro Detroit. The service is used by more than 500,000 shoppers across all […]
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 inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Numbers Show – Stores In Small Towns ‘Have Gone Away’
Co-op program, locker system offer hope North Dakota has one of the smallest populations in the nation and most residents live in the state’s eastern half. Independent grocery stores, particularly on its western side, have been closing at an alarming rate, according to John Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “I’m old enough […]
Posted inCenter Store, Merchandising News, Midwest, New Products
Topco To Host Product Solutions Summit To Discover New Items
Elk Grove Village, Illinois-based Topco Associates will host the Topco Product Solutions Summit to diversify the cooperative’s supplier pool, discover new items and establish additional supplier partnerships to assist the organization with aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions that span its center store program. Topco is seeking suppliers to help expand its supplier partnership portfolio and […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Midwest
Shelby Publishing Honors Midwest EIA Recipients
On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Pharmacies Pilot COVID-19, Flu Test-To-Treat Service
Hy-Vee Inc. has announced that select pharmacy locations in Iowa will begin offering a new COVID-19 and flu test-to-treat service as part of a pilot through eTrueNorth. Hy-Vee is one of the first pharmacy providers in the state of Iowa to offer this service. With one test, patients can get tested for COVID-19 and flu […]
Posted inPackaging News, Center Store, Midwest
Bounty Shares New Artwork On Paper Towel Products
As part of its Inclusive Artists Project, Cincinnati-based Bounty has partnered with three artists – surface print and accessories designer Shadé Akanbi, illustrator Reina Castellanos and graphic designer and illustrator Kingsley Nebechi – to create original artwork that will be featured on a new limited-edition collection of paper towels. “We’re delighted to partner with these talented artists who are passionate about […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Low Unemployment Rate Leads To Legislative Win For Association
When asked for their three biggest challenges, the members of South Dakota Retailers Association were quick to respond. “In order, they were workforce, supply and inflation,” said Nathan Sanderson, president of the organization, who added that’s been the case since 2020. “These are obviously not unique to South Dakota.” While the challenges may be nationwide, […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Partners With WeStock On First-Party Consumer Data
Ahead of Expo West 2023, Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors will be partnering with WeStock to bring first-party consumer data into the conversation when it comes to their product foraging, curation and assortment decisions. By partnering with WeStock, which helps brands identify where their online audience wants to see them carried, KeHE and its retail partners will discover new products to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Daily’s Market Finds Niche In Bustling Downtown Fargo
Nestled in downtown Fargo, North Dakota, sits Daily’s Market, a family-owned retail convenience store where the shelves are packed with much more than Tic Tacs and Gatorades. The business also carries a small selection of groceries and everyday essentials. Owners Than and Charlotte Young, a pharmacist by trade, are high school sweethearts who opened the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Prairie Fresh Introduces New Line Of Pork During Conference
As the 2023 Annual Meat Conference kicks off in person for the first time in three years, Merriam, Kansas-based Prairie Fresh is introducing meat buyers to Prairie Fresh USA Prime, a line of premium pork to meet consumer demand for restaurant-quality meal experiences at home. “Prairie Fresh USA Prime is as close as we have […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Donates $235K To Special Olympics From Fundraiser
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash recently hosted its annual fundraising campaign through the company’s foundation, supporting Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games in eight states. The in-store fundraiser ran from Feb. 8-24 to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. SpartanNash customers donated about $205,000 and, with a donation from the foundation, $235,000 will be distributed to Special Olympics. Store guests at Family Fare, D&W Fresh […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Schnucks Introduces St. Louis CITY SC ‘Player Pals’ Sweeperstakes
As the grocery partner of St. Louis CITY SC, Schnuck Markets is offering its first “Player Pals” sweepstakes – or Sweeperstakes. Winners will get a spot for their 8-12-year-old child (as well as that child’s 8-12-year-old friend or sibling) to walk out onto the CITYPARK pitch alongside the starting lineup before one of three upcoming […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
Riksen To Oversee All Accounting Functions At SpartanNash
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted Todd Riksen to VP, corporate controller and principal accounting officer. Riksen oversees all company accounting functions and reports to Jason Monaco, EVP and CFO. “Todd has provided incredible leadership to our finance organization as we navigated a company-wide turnaround these past couple of years,” Monaco said. “He and his team will continue to […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger To Invest $770M In Employee Wages, Benefits
Cincinnati, Ohio-based The Kroger Co. has announced a more than $770 million incremental investment in its employees during 2023. The company will use this money to raise average hourly rates, improve healthcare options and build new training and development opportunities. “Our associates enable our success, and we are committed to investing in theirs,” said Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Fareway Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For Iowa Store
Fareway Stores hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony March 1 for a new store at 9080 Mills Civic Pkwy. in West Des Moines, Iowa. The 21,00-square-foot-store provides a full-service butcher counter, a large grocery selection with fresh-cut produce and locally sourced items, in addition to a variety of craft beer, fine wines and top-shelf spirits. The […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Begins 100 Million Meals Challenge To Fight Hunger
Food insecurity will also be major focus of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend in July at Iowa Speedway Hy-Vee has begun its newest initiative to help fight hunger across its eight-state region. The supermarket chain’s major campaign will continue through the end of the year to provide 100 million meals to the Feeding America network of […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Supports Artists Through Women’s History Month Collection
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has introduced a special collection of products featuring the art of three Midwestern women artists – Abeer Abo-Shihata, Judy Mintze and Misty Russian – in every Meijer supercenter. The retailer will donate 5 percent of sales from the collection to the American Heart Association’s “Life is Why” Campaign to help support initiatives […]
Posted inFeature, Executive News, Midwest
E-Commerce At Core Of Hy-Vee’s Expansion Southward
Jeremy Gosch was named sole CEO of Hy-Vee, The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2022 Retailer of the Year, at the beginning of 2023 following a six-month shuffle. In July 2022, the company announced that he and Aaron Wiese would serve as co-CEOs. That changed when Wiese was named president of Hy-Vee Healthcare. Another longtime […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Grocery Store Equipment, Midwest
AWG, Givex Celebrate Partnership Renewal
Givex Corp. and Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers have announced the renewal of their 15-year relationship, supporting more than 600 independently-owned supermarkets. In 2015, AWG debuted the Shopper Engagement Platform, its in-house loyalty, digital coupon and data marketing program. Originally powered by Loyalty Lane, which became Givex in 2022, SEP is used by more […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Lone Creek Cattle Co. Announces Private Label Beef Opportunities
Lincoln, Nebraska-based Lone Creek Cattle Co., a family-owned and operated cattle company, has introduced its new private label program for grass-fed beef. This program will offer grass fed, grass finished, all-natural cattle, raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones. With a weekly and monthly harvest, this program offers retailers and distributors the power to […]