The Ferrero Group has announced an agreement for Ferrero to acquire Le Mars, Iowa-based Wells Enterprises, its operations and its ice cream brands, which include Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon Classics, Bomb Pop and Halo Top. The acquisition is part of Ferrero’s strategic growth ambitions for the ice cream category and Wells’ vision for accelerated growth. […]
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, Midwest
Strack & Van Til Food Markets Contribute $100K To Salvation Army
Strack & Van Til Food Markets has partnered with The Salvation Army of Northwest Indiana to make sure families can purchase groceries this holiday season. Jeff Strack, president and CEO, and David Wilkinson, COO of Strack & Van Til Food Markets, presented a check for $100,000 in company gift cards as The Salvation Army began […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Walgreens Invites Vendors To Participate In Localization Summit
Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens will hold its annual Localization Summit, a virtual showcase for diverse, local and regional businesses and entrepreneurs to share their retail offerings with the merchants of the national drugstore chain. The virtual event, hosted by RangeMe and ECRM, provides local suppliers the opportunity to connect with the Walgreens merchandising team, share their products […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Dairy News, Midwest
Murray’s Cheese Opens 1,000th Shop In Kroger Banner Stores
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Co. has announced the opening of the 1,000th Murray’s Cheese shop in its banner stores, bringing the shops to more than 30 states across the U.S. In 2008, Murray’s began opening cheese counters in Kroger stores to expand beyond its flagship Greenwich Village store in New York City. Each shop offers a curated […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Bakery News, Midwest
Second Nature Brands Acquires Brownie Brittle
Detroit-based Second Nature Brands, a creator of nutritional and better-for-you snacks and treats, has completed the acquisition of Brownie Brittle from Encore Consumer Capital. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Founded in 2012, Brownie Brittle is a brownie snack brand whose combination of flavor and texture appeals to growing consumer demand. Brownie Brittle […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Releases Comment On FTC’s Second Request
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. has received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission as part of the regulatory review process for its merger with Albertsons Cos. Kroger issued the following statement: “Kroger looks forward to realizing the compelling benefits this merger will offer, including enhancing competition, lowering prices for customers, improving access to […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer To Open New Grocery Store Concept Jan. 26
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer announced Jan. 26 as the opening day for its first two Meijer Grocery stores in Orion Township and Macomb Township. “By opening Meijer Grocery stores, we’re introducing a new way for our customers to shop that provides convenience, value and the great quality our customers have always come to expect from Meijer,” said Rick Keyes, president and CEO. “Our customers’ […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Technology Platform Expands To Support Prepared Foods
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based eGrowcery, developer of a retail food industry white-label e-commerce platform, is extending its technology to provide the capabilities needed for digital foodservice operations. These include features that help shoppers and retailers manage order lead time requirements, order sizing, upselling, optional “made to order” preferences and other fullfillment efficiencies. Further, retailers can use the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Fareway Finalizes Plans For Store In Norwalk, IA
Fareway Stores has announced plans to construct a 24,000-square-foot store at the corner of Highway 28 and Chatham Drive in Norwalk, Iowa. Construction is planned to begin in 2023, with a tentative opening in early 2024. The current Norwalk Fareway store located at 1711 Sunset Drive will close upon the new store opening. “We look […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
AdAdapted Brings Consumer Insights To Alcohol Advertisers
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based AdAdapted has joined with Comscore, a partner for planning, transacting and evaluating media across platforms, to provide CPG brands with enhanced demographic insights and beer, wine and spirit advertisers confirmation that the AdAdapted network is legal drinking age compliant. “At AdAdapted, we are always continuing to invest in capabilities to better serve our growing […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
Russ Davis Wholesale Acquires Liberty Fruit Co.
Kansas City, Kansas-based Liberty Fruit Co., a produce wholesaler founded in 1965, has been acquired by Russ Davis Wholesale. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. As a part of Russ Davis’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Liberty will continue to operate independently and be led by its present leadership team. According to Liberty CEO John […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Kraft Heinz Releases Lunchables Holiday Packs For Parents
Chicago-based Kraft Heinz has launched Lunchables Holiday Packs. The lunch kits contain products kids will recognize rewrapped in a “parents-only” holiday sleeve with stickers. “Parents are our biggest partners in continuing our mission to fuel kids’ creativity and imaginations,” said Erin Fitzgerald, brand manager, Lunchables. “This holiday season, it is time for us to help power […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Dietitians To Host Events On Healthy Holiday Choices
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee and its team of dietitians will host events in December focused on healthier options during the holidays. Events will include menu programs, virtual cooking workshops and store tours throughout the month. Dietitian discovery session People can jumpstart their health journey by scheduling a free discovery session with a dietitian to learn […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Ranks No. 12 On Most Flexible Companies List
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has earned the No. 12 spot on Indeed.com’s list of 25 Most Flexible Companies. Indeed compiled data from more than 10 million surveys in its Work Happiness Score and ranked the top employers in the nation. SpartanNash is featured alongside Apple, Google, Nike, Southwest Airlines and Microsoft. “Flexibility is a key component of SpartanNash’s People First culture […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Team Gives Program Donates $6M In Two Years
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has expanded its Meijer Team Gives program this year to engage more employees and make a larger impact in the communities it serves. In 2022, the Meijer Team Gives program will donate $3 million to more than 500 nonprofits chosen by employees, bringing the total to almost $6 million. “Meijer cares about the communities […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Sports Partnerships Help Showcase Burgeoning Brand
Competition is ingrained into human nature. Competition can be found between friends, rivals, businesses and communities. Hy-Vee, The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s Retailer of the Year, has a long history of supporting amazing competition in sports on a local, national and now international level. The most recent example of a sporting partnership was the Hy-Vee […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Names 23 Brands Selected From TrendFinder Event
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has named the 23 brands selected through its virtual TrendFinder event. In October, KeHE gave more than 120 suppliers the chance to pitch their products to its category management team. The team reviews products and brands, through KeHE’s TrendFinder events, to determine which ones will best fit KeHE’s innovative product portfolio and presents […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Executive News, Midwest
U.S. Foods Announces Flitman As CEO
Rosemont, Illinois-based U.S. Foods has announced that Dave Flitman will become CEO, effective Jan. 5. Flitman will also be a member of the company’s board of directors. Flitman brings global business leadership, executive management skills and extensive commercial distribution experience, along with expertise in operational excellence, supply chain and general management with more than 35 years of […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Midwest
Health, Wellness ‘Major Component’ Of Hy-Vee’s Mission
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee’s commitment to healthcare goes beyond the traditional pharmacy shelves. The company believes in a holistic approach for its customers. This approach includes not only the traditional pharmaceutical operation but also promoting and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Hy-Vee, The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s Retailer of the Year, has […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Board Of Directors Named Finalist For DEI Award
Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. has announced its board of directors has been named a top 20 finalist for the 2022 NACD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards. The awards recognize boards that have improved their governance and created long-term value for stakeholders by implementing DEI practices. “Kroger has worked to achieve great strides in creating an equitable boardroom,” […]