Wisconsin is experiencing some of the same economic woes as other states across the country. “We have record high unemployment. We have members who continue to experience supply chain issues and getting products in inventory,” said Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “We still have high demand from consumers, but their […]
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 inCenter Store, Midwest
Purina Celebrates Factory Expansion In Clinton, IA
Purina executives and community representatives gathered Oct. 5 to celebrate the completion of a $156 million expansion at the factory in Clinton, Iowa. The project expands capacity and production capabilities for Purina’s pet care brands and adds a technical training center. The expansion resulted in 96 new positions at the factory, which now employs about 570 people. The pet […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Piggly Wiggly To Pilot The Focal Operating System In Stores
Focal Systems, the industry leader in retail automation, has partnered with Piggly Wiggly Midwest stores to pilot its Focal Operating System in its Wisconsin and Illinois stores. FocalOS digitizes the entire store in order to automate and optimize ordering, inventory management, merchandising and in-store labor with the objective to deliver a better experience to customers. […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Hormel Foods Names Larson As SVP, Human Resources
Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods Co. has promoted Katie Larson as SVP of human resources. Larson assumes responsibility for leading the global human resources function at the company, bringing more than 20 years of experience in human resources leadership at Hormel Foods. Hormel Foods employs more than 20,000 employees around the globe and has been recognized as a […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Lineage Logistics Expands Produce Offering With New Service
Novi, Michigan-based Lineage Logistics has announced Lineage Fresh, a new service providing fresh storage options for major importers, grocers and producers of fresh fruit and produce. Lineage Fresh will allow products with a short shelf-life to face fewer obstacles, less risk and less spoilage with Lineage’s cold storage technology and logistics network. Leveraging its expertise as […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Bertolli D’Italia Launches Two Sauces To Product Line
Mount Prospect, Illinois-based Bertolli d’Italia has expanded its sauce product line with two white-sauce varieties – Cacio e Pepe and Alfredo with White Wine. Bertolli d’Italia – which translates to “Bertolli of Italy” – is a line of red and white sauces, made in Italy, that elevate at-home culinary experiences. All six sauce varieties are available at select grocery and […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Bakery News, Midwest
Mondelēz International Celebrates 130th Anniversary Of Flour Mill
Mondelēz International marked the 130th anniversary of its biscuit flour mill with a ceremony and day-long celebration Oct. 8 in Toledo, Ohio. The company’s Toledo flour mill is the largest dedicated soft-wheat mill in North America, with one of the largest grain storage capacities at 5.5 million bushels of wheat. The mill first began operations in […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Kellogg, Little Debbie Launch Nutty Buddy Cereal
Battle Creek, Michigan-based Kellogg Co. and Little Debbie are expanding their lineup of treat-inspired cereals with the Kellogg’s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal. This new cereal has a sweet chocolatey and peanut butter aroma, while featuring chocolate and peanut butter flavors. The flavors meld with the cereal pieces coated in fudge, similar to a Nutty Buddy […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest
RJW Logistics Hires Shorkey As EVP, Strategic Partnerships
Woodridge, Illinois-based RJW Logistics Group has hired Jennifer Shorkey as EVP of strategic partnerships, effective immediately. Shorkey will hold responsibility for building and maintaining strategic partnerships with top retailers as part of the company’s expanding retail logistics operation. Shorkey has 23 years of retail and logistics experience from her career, overseeing various supply chain roles for Walmart. […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Accepting Submissions For Our Brands Innovation Summit
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. has launched its Our Brands Innovation Summit, a program to enhance and accelerate the selection of private brand items sold across the Kroger Family of Companies. The program is open to store brand suppliers of food and beverage, health, beauty and packaging. The summit supports the ongoing mission of Kroger’s Our Brands portfolio by […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Kroger Health Urges Customers To Get Flu Vaccinations
Cincinnati-based Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., is urging customers to get vaccinated against the flu to ensure protection during peak flu season. “The first step in protecting yourself and others from the flu is to get vaccinated,” said Doug Cornelius, senior director of pharmacy operations, Kroger Health. “We are encouraging people […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Farmland Donates 130K Servings Of Protein To Food Bank Of Iowa
Farmland recently launched year two of its Honoring the Heartland Tour to show appreciation to hardworking farming communities and support communities through food donations. On Oct. 4, the tour stopped in Des Moines, Iowa to recognize two nonprofits. Farmland has partnered with the National Pork Board, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour to help fight food insecurity […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
General Mills Launches Four Additional Monster-Inspired Products
Minneapolis-based General Mills is launching four additional products with limited-edition Kaws-inspired packaging. Count Chocula mini treats feature chocolate, cereal and marshmallows together in four new pouch designs. Franken Berry and Boo Berry Yoplait yogurt will bring the flavors of strawberry and blueberry in new packaging featuring the two characters. The company is also releasing Monsters […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Dietitians Hosting Gluten-Free Awareness Month Events
Through October, Iowa-based Hy-Vee’s team of registered dietitians will host events focused on gluten-free lifestyles through a variety of programming. Events will include virtual cooking classes and store tours, as well as an in-person, gluten-free health fair at select stores. Gluten-free health fair A free health fair will be held Oct. 15 at more than […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Kroger, Priority Health Announce Co-Branded Plans
Detroit-based Priority Health, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan, and Kroger Health, the health care division of The Kroger Co., announced the launch of two co-branded Medicare plans with benefits and services that address people’s whole-health needs and well-being. The plans, PriorityMedicare + Kroger as well as PriorityMedicare D-SNP + Kroger, will be available in eight counties in […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Meijer Offers Accessible, Adaptive Children’s Halloween Costumes
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer is adding accessible, adaptive children’s costumes to its selection of Halloween costumes. “We aim for our stores to be a welcoming and supportive environment where every customer sees themselves reflected in our team and their needs are met in our products,” said Ryan Yarnell, seasonal décor buyer for Meijer. “So, when our customers […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Center Store, Midwest, Snacks Brands
Kroger Shares America’s Favorites Candies Ahead Of Holiday
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. has shared America’s favorite candies heading into the Halloween season. The grocer, who sells millions of pounds of candy each year, revealed that it expects shoppers will again reach for Hershey’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to fill their baskets more than any other candy this Halloween. “We expect our shoppers will […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Heinz Releases ‘Tomato Blood Ketchup’ Bottle For Halloween
Chicago-based Heinz has announced the return of Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup, a limited edition bottle for Halloween. The brand enlisted the help of Toby, a vegetarian vampire influencer. Through an informational PSA, Toby hopes to convert his fellow vampires to enjoy tomato blood and spare the necks of humans. “Being a vegetarian vampire and only […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest
Funeral Services For ‘Rich’ Niemann Sr. Planned Oct. 6
Niemann Foods Chairman Emeritus Richard Henry “Rich” Niemann Sr., 91, of Quincy, Illinois, died on Sept. 25, 2022, at his home. There will be a Catholic funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at the Church of St. Peter, 2600 Maine St. in Quincy, followed by private graveside services at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Awards $50K In Grants During Kansas City Showcase
Hy-Vee awarded $50,000 to local minority- and women-owned businesses during the Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. During the pitch competition component of the event, 15 companies from around the Midwest presented to a panel of judges and more than 400 attendees. Company leaders were able […]