The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) and Potatoes USA have partnered to help independent grocers capitalize on the popularity of potatoes, which account for more than 10 percent of all vegetable sales. Potatoes are a key grocery basket-builder, with a $90.50 average basket with potatoes versus $47.47 without the vegetable, according to an IRI product affinity study. […]
Category: National
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
ECRS, IX-One Collaborate To Enhance Product Data Content Sharing
ECRS has entered into a strategic partnership with IX-One, also known as The Data Council and a subsidiary of SPINS LLC. ECRS, a provider of POS and inventory management systems, uses CATAPULT, a unified transaction platform that integrates operational sectors such as inventory, supply chain, analytics, marketing, sales and payments in real time. Featuring the […]
Posted inBakery News, National
In-Store Bakeries Offer More Than Just Flavor For Consumers
Part two of a series of articles highlighting in-store bakery trends that The Shelby Report will be covering throughout the year. More than just flavor With in-store bakery purchases taste is a top driver but industry experts say retailers should not underestimate the role indulgence plays with in-store bakery purchases. As one expert noted, in-store bakeries […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
NGA Gathering ‘A Must’ For Independent Executives
We’re living in an economy that shows positive numbers, though some still feel financial strain. Amid an election year filled with uncertainties and political divides, independent grocers may feel challenged in delivering service and value to their communities. However, NGA is here to support them through these times, helping them move forward with confidence and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Aldi, National
Instacart Launches Caper Carts With Aldi South Group, Internationally
Instacart and Aldi South Group will expand their partnership globally to roll out Instacart’s Connected Stores across Aldi South Group stores in the U.S. and test Caper Carts, Instacart’s AI-powered smart carts, in Austria. Instacart’s Connected Stores technologies are a suite of products designed to help grocers like Aldi South Group build a seamless and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
FMI Community Uplift Awards Honor Local Food Industry Heroes
FMI – The Food Industry Association announced that the three recipients of the 2024 Community Uplift Awards are Whole Foods Market, Brookshire Grocery Company and SpartanNash. With a record-breaking 34 nominees, a panel of judges selected three community uplift programs for their efforts in addressing food insecurity, neighborhood health needs and programs that influence social […]
Posted inBakery News, National
Irresistible Food Group, The Killer Brownie Co. Partner For Growth
Irresistible Foods Group Inc. (IFG) and the IFG Restaurant Group have formed a strategic partnership with The Killer Brownie Co. to accelerate future growth in the Killer Brownie brand. Killer Brownie is most well-known for the brand’s flavors and textures of its premium brownies. It was founded by Dorothy Lane Market CEO Norman Mayne in 1988 and was […]
Posted inProduce News, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Shares Speaker Lineup For Global Produce, Floral Show
The International Fresh Produce Association has shared the full lineup of keynote speakers for the 2024 Global Produce and Floral Show. The speakers will cover wide ranging topics, such as showcasing exclusive insights into the future of the industry, a non-partisan peek into political trends, entrepreneurship and the benefits of risk-taking, and the positive impact of […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., National, Private Label Brands, Produce News
Kroger’s New ‘Field & Vine’ Fresh Produce Brand Focuses On Local
The Kroger Co. is expanding its Our Brands portfolio with the addition of Field & Vine, a fresh produce line grown by farmers in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. The brand includes blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. “Field & Vine features berries grown in the fields of American farmers that are picked, packed and delivered in stores […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Instacart Expands Advertising Options To Boost Brand Discovery
Instacart is introducing new advertising tools designed to help brands connect with consumers to boost product discovery. These tools expand Instacart’s on-platform advertising capabilities beyond traditional in-aisle placements. In a grocery store, consumers might find crackers next to the cheese counter, or salsa next to tortilla chips. Instacart’s new tools pair that same ease and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, UNFI, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Report: Consumers Use App Coupons More Than Paper Circular
According to a new survey from United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) and Swiftly, 43 percent of grocery shoppers use digital coupons in-store via a smartphone app versus 23 percent who clip paper coupons. What’s more, nearly half of Americans (45 percent) report they rely on deals and promotions as part of their everyday grocery shopping […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Mastering Pricing Operations: Strategies For Independent Grocers
by Caitlin Orosz In today’s grocery market, every penny counts, especially when you’re operating with a lean team. Even if you have fewer stores or fewer SKUs than some competitors, it’s a struggle to relabel shelves with pricing updates. You can maintain a competitive edge and sell more units. You can drive profitable growth with […]
Posted inC-Store News, National
Casey’s To Expand Footprint With Acquisition Of CEFCO Convenience Stores
Casey’s General Stores is set to significantly expand its reach with the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale Inc., the parent company of CEFCO Convenience Stores. The all-cash deal, valued at $1.145 billion, will bring nearly 200 additional stores under the Casey’s umbrella. Fikes Wholesale Inc. and CEFCO Convenience Stores began as a single “filling station” in […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, Organic Natural, Sustainability News, Walmart
Walmart, Denali Roll Out Organic Recycling, Reuse Technology
Walmart is partnering with Denali, the nation’s largest recycler of organic materials, to roll out innovative depackaging services to help improve the food waste recycling process at more than 1,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations nationwide. The depackaging technology aims to help drive operational efficiencies for Walmart enterprise associates. Based on early testing, it has […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Joins DoorDash Marketplace For Delivery
Save A Lot has partnered with DoorDash to add more than 400 of its stores to the company’s delivery marketplace. In addition, later this year, participating Save A Lot stores will support SNAP/EBT payment capabilities on DoorDash for on-demand delivery of SNAP-eligible groceries. DoorDash provides access to everything in local communities, including groceries, retail, flowers […]
Posted inGrocery News, Albertsons, Meijer, National, The Kroger Co.
Several Grocers, Distributors Named ‘Best Place To Work For Disability Inclusion’
Multiple grocers and distributors have been named by the Disability Equality Index (DEI) as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The DEI is a benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable actions they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. It is a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Survey: Consumers Looking For Viral Trends, Healthier Choices In Stores
Matter Communications has shared findings from its 2024 Food and Beverage Trends survey. The report of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers uncovered insights into popular food and beverage trends on social media, grocery shopping habits and preferences for healthier and more sustainable choices. The survey revealed the following: Eighty-five percent of consumers have either researched, purchased […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, National
Flashfood Introduces New Platform Add-On For Independent Grocers
Flashfood has introduced Flashfood for Independents, a new add-on to the Flashfood platform designed for independent grocers. This initiative will support local retailers by providing them with an easy-to-onboard solution to attract new customers, boost profits and provide access to affordable fresh food in their communities while reducing food waste. “There are more than 27,000 independently-owned […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National, Snacks Brands
The Hershey Co. Highlights New Retail Capabilities For Boosting In-Store Sales
The Hershey Co. is “perfecting perfection” with its Reese’s Big Cup, utilizing two new technologies designed to “drive decisions, track performance, collect actionable data and boost sales.” Momin Bhatti, Hershey’s associate manager of corporate communications, visited with The Shelby Report during the recent Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis, sharing how the company is using […]
Posted inDollar General, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National
Report: Dollar Stores Hit Rural Independent Grocers Hardest
Independent grocery stores have long been a staple of rural America. However, according to a new study by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), the rise of dollar stores poses a threat to these independent grocers. Economists from ERS, North Dakota State University and the University of Connecticut recently investigated the implications of the growth […]