“There’s no other supermarket in Southern California that carries the selections and the varieties that we’re able to get in Pavilions.” That’s how Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner, describes the stores’ wine and liquor offerings. He credits Phil Markert for stewarding those departments so well. “We have a very special director […]
Category: News
Posted inGuest Contributors, Leadership, National, News, The Grocer's Playbook
Leadership: If You’re Going To Be A Bear, Be A Grizzly
“If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” This saying is one of my earliest learnings on how to be successful. It was during my early years at United Supermarkets of Oklahoma, where I spent the first 27 years of my career. I went from being a produce manager to assistant manager and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Opens Store Near UTSA’s Main Campus
H-E-B held a grand opening Aug. 6 for a store at 7330 N Loop 1604 West in San Antonio, serving communities near the University of Texas at San Antonio’s main campus. The College Park store has features such as H-E-B curbside with covered parking and home delivery, full-service pharmacy, True Texas BBQ restaurant with car-side […]
Posted inProduce News, Brookshire Grocery Co., Deli News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, News, Southwest
Brookshire Grocery Co. Utilizes Afresh To Transform Fresh Operations
Brookshire Grocery Co. has begun a partnership with Afresh to deploy its store ordering and inventory management solutions across the deli, produce and market (meat and seafood) departments at four of its banners – Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, FRESH by Brookshire’s and Spring Market. Brookshire selected Afresh for its built-for-fresh technology that uses artificial intelligence to address […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
New Spending Bill And SNAP: Sifting Through The Ugly, Bad and Good
The Trump administration recently passed the spending bill. Some of the bill is new; some keeps in place existing programs. And where politicians exist, they do tricks and misinformation. Sometimes what they say is going to happen and what a bill actually does are two different things. Let’s take a deep look at the Supplemental […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Hosts Food Solutions Expo In Grand Rapids, MI
SpartanNash’s annual Food Solutions Expo brought together nearly 2,000 grocery industry leaders July 30-31 for two days of insights, discovery and networking at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The expo’s 2025 Consumer Taste Trends displays highlighted the top foods of the year, backed by flavor forecasts and consumer insights. The event also […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
FMI Recognizes 2025 Community Uplift Award Recipients
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced the three recipients of its 2025 Community Uplift Awards – Giant Food, Hy-Vee Inc. and United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI). A panel of judges selected the programs from among 23 nominees for their efforts in addressing food insecurity, neighborhood health needs and social impact programs. In addition, FMI […]
Posted inMarketing News, News, Northeast, Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop Introduces New Brand Campaign To Reinforce Value
Stop & Shop is introducing a new campaign, “Good Things Are in Store,” rooted in the’s brand motto to “Feed the Moment” and focused on rebuilding trust and reinforcing its role in helping customers get more for their money. At the heart of the campaign is Justin, a hyper-enthusiastic employee who shares the ways Stop […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Northeast, UNFI, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Appoints Best As President, CEO Of Retail
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has appointed David Best as president and CEO of retail, effective Aug. 17. Best will be responsible for accelerating UNFI’s retail business growth strategy while leading the company’s two retail banners, Cub Foods and Shoppers Food Warehouse. “David’s track record of driving retail innovation, his deep industry expertise […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, West
WAFC Mourns Death Of Former Longtime Leader
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced the death of former longtime COO Carole Christianson on Aug. 1 after a battle with leukemia. Christianson retired in 2022 following a 50-year career in the food and beverage industry and more than 15 years at the helm of the WAFC. During her time as COO, […]
Posted inMerchandising News, Executive News, News, The Raley's Companies
The Raley’s Companies Fills Key Leadership Roles
The Raley’s Companies has promoted Jessica Blakely and Faith Garrard to senior roles overseeing sales and merchandising across the organization’s banners. Blakely has been appointed VP of sales and merchandising for Bashas’ Family of Stores, while Garrard has been promoted to VP of sales and merchandising for Raley’s Operating Co. Jessica Blakely In her […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA’s Foodservice Conference Concludes Record-Breaking Show
Featuring a sold-out expo and a growing number of field tour programs for chefs and kindergarten-12th grade operators, the International Fresh Produce Association’s annual Foodservice Conference July 31-Aug. 1 set an attendance record while also drawing a diverse collections of buyers. “With over 1,000 buyers, new operators, colleges and universities and more than 2,200 attendees, […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Grupo Bimbo To Remove All Artificial Colorants By End Of 2026
In what the company bills as a significant step toward offering simpler and natural recipes across its global portfolio, Grupo Bimbo has pledged to eliminate all artificial colorants from its product portfolio by the end of 2026. As of today, 99 percent of Grupo Bimbo’s daily consumption products – including its core categories of bread, buns […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, News, Southwest
Marczyk Fine Foods Leverages ECRS To Grow With Purpose
For more than two decades, Marczyk Fine Foods has built its reputation in Denver, Colorado, on high-quality specialty food, hand-crafted market-made items and exceptional customer service. But behind the fresh baguettes, Niman Ranch beef and house-made guacamole is a technology infrastructure that’s every bit as curated and intentional as the products lining the shelves. At […]
Posted inBakery News, News, West
Mars Opens Nature’s Bakery Facility In Salt Lake City, UT
Nature’s Bakery, part of the Mars Inc. family of brands, opened a new baking facility July 30 in Salt Lake City, a $240 million investment that marks a milestone in the brand’s expansion. The 339,000-square-foot site gives Nature’s Bakery the space to grow, with the ability to produce more than 1 billion bars each year. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Tops Newsweek’s 2025 Best Retailers List
The Fresh Market has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Retailers 2025, receiving the top spot in the Specialty/Natural/Ethnic Grocers category. The ranking was published in partnership with Statista Inc. “We are honored to be recognized as a top retailer in the grocery industry by Newsweek and Statista Inc.,” said The Fresh Market […]
Posted inSouthwest, Independent Store News, Natural Grocers, News
Natural Grocers Celebrates 70th Anniversary With Freebies, Giveaways
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is celebrating its 70th anniversary Aug. 14-16 by throwing its biggest sale of the year, with 60 percent off more than 500 items, as well as holding giveaways and an anniversary sweepstakes. “As we mark our 70th anniversary, we’re proud to carry forward the vision my grandparents, Margaret and Philip Isely, began in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Prepares To Build New Store In Marion, VA
Company officials broke ground July 31 for a new 56,700-square-foot Food City on North Main Street in Marion, Virginia, that is expected to open next spring and will replace the current location in town. “We are very excited to be building a brand-new … store for the residents of Marion and Smyth County. Our company […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Northeast, Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop Brings Back Annual Register Campaign To Combat Student Hunger
Stop & Shop has brought back its third annual register campaign for its charitable giving initiative – the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program. The program works with schools to establish and support in-school food pantries to ensure kids don’t have to go to school hungry. Through Sept. 7, shoppers can donate or round […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, News
Coborn’s, DIGITS Agency Launch Retail Media Network
Coborn’s Inc. has partnered with DIGITS Agency to launch a full-scale regional retail media network with an expected rollout this fall. The partnership will give CPG brands new ways to connect with customers across 66 stores in five states, while allowing Coborn’s to focus on delivering in-store experiences. New digital channel for regional growth The […]