Walmart’s SVP of private brands food, consumables and manufacturing will deliver the keynote address April 15-17 during PLMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference. Scott Morris and his team are tasked with positioning Walmart’s private brands, strengthening their value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products and building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support. He […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway Breaks Ground On New Store In Coal Valley, IL
Fareway Stores Inc. has broken ground on a new location in Coal Valley, Illinois, marking the beginning of construction on a 17,000-square-foot store at 1st Street and Route 6 that is slated for completion next fall. “Communities depend on a local grocer to offer high-quality products at affordable prices with unmatched service,” said Fareway CEO […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS, Lee’s Marketplace Open Bella’s Market In Vineyard, UT
Bella’s Market drew more than 1,000 people to its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 17 at 875 N. Main St. in Vineyard, Utah, where it was welcomed as the first grocery store in the 700-acre mixed-use master-planned community on the eastern shore of Utah Lake. Vendors including Kodiak Cakes, Café Ibis, Certified Angus Beef […]
Posted inSustainability News, Midwest, News
Hormel Foods Names 2025 Class Of 10 Under 20 Food Heroes
Hormel Foods Corp. has announced its fourth cohort of 10 Under 20 Food Heroes, recognizing the efforts of young people across the U.S. who are working to create a more transparent, secure and sustainable food system. The Austin, Minnesota-based company will host the group at its global headquarters, where honorees will connect with Hormel Foods […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Southeast
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Achieves Increased Basket Lift With ECRS LoyaltyBot
Buehler’s Fresh Foods reports that it has experienced a 30 percent increase in average basket size using ECRS LoyaltyBot Basket Lift Campaigns at checkout, a feature within the CATAPULT loyalty automation suite. “We’ve always known LoyaltyBot’s basket lift campaigns were special,” said James Councill, loyalty and promotions business unit manager at ECRS. “But seeing how […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Dynamics Of Grocery Leadership Rooted In Fast-Paced, People-Driven Environment
by Paulo Goelzer For over three decades, I have lived and breathed the dynamic world of grocery retail – an industry where leadership is forged not in corner offices, but in backrooms, front ends and produce aisles. In those 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with store management that navigated chaos on […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway’s Kingma Named IGIA Volunteer Of The Year
Wesson Kingma, Fareway’s regional supervisor, has been named the 2025 Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) Volunteer of the Year, recognized for his commitment to service, leadership and community involvement across the state. Kingma’s journey with the Johnston, Iowa-based retailer began at age 16 when he started as a courtesy clerk at the store in Pella. […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Honoring Uncle’s Legacy Of Leadership, Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, reflection and intentional recognition of the people who have shaped our lives. As families gather around tables filled with food and laughter, we pause to remember not just for what – but whom – we are thankful. This year, my heart turns to one man whose life embodies leadership, […]