Amazon Fresh News & Innovations | The Shelby Report
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods

July Online Grocery Sales Climbed 9% Versus Year Ago To $7.9B

The total U.S. online grocery market ended July with $7.9 billion in monthly sales, a 9.2 percent increase over last year. Delivery sales surged 22 percent in July, aided by continued promotional efforts. Ship-to-home also posted strong results, climbing 6 percent, and pickup held steady year-over-year, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopper Survey, fielded […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Amazon Fresh, Rosauers, West, Whole Foods

Rosauers Supermarkets Signs On For Site In Belgrade, MT

Rosauers Supermarkets has signed a long-term lease at the Jackrabbit Crossing development in Belgrade, Montana, just northwest of Bozeman, according to Venture West Development, a real estate firm handling the project. The company said Jackrabbit Crossing is positioned to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Gallatin Valley community, which boasts a population of 127,880 […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Harris Teeter, Northeast, Whole Foods

Manna Tree Takes Controlling Interest In Verde Farms, Plans Expansion

Global private equity firm Manna Tree has taken a controlling interest in Verde Farms, a brand of organic, 100 percent grass-fed and pasture-raised beef. The investment aims to accelerate Verde’s growth in the rapidly expanding better-for-you (BFY) beef category, which is currently outpacing conventional beef by nearly three times. Manna Tree first invested in Verde Farms in January […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods

Whole Foods Marks NYC Anniversary, Touts New Store Format

Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, alongside 70 employees, rang the Nasdaq opening bell July 15 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first New York City flagship store. The 2004 opening of the Columbus Circle location, the largest grocery store in the city at that time, marked a major step in the company’s expansion […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, West, Whole Foods

Hammer & Wikan Celebrates ‘Simpler Life’ In Alaska’s Petersburg

Independent grocers across the U.S. face many challenges, but additional obstacles face those operating in Alaska. Hammer & Wikan is an independent grocer in Petersburg, Alaska, which is located on Mitkof Island in the southeastern part of the state. Hammer & Wikan was founded in 1921 by John Hammer and Andrew Wikan, two Norwegian immigrants. […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods

Online Grocery Sales Down Slightly Versus Last Year

The U.S. online grocery market totaled $6.8 billion in sales for May, a 0.4 percent dip versus last year. Despite a year-over-year gain in overall monthly active users, sales growth was restrained by a pullback in order frequency across all receiving methods versus last year, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopper Survey, fielded May […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Northeast, Whole Foods

Independent Grocers Building Strong Customer Relationships In Connecticut

One expert recently dubbed Connecticut’s grocery industry “a battleground of competition,” referring to the number of retailers in this market brandishing competitive pricing strategies to attract shoppers and online retail giants that are leveraging convenience with click-and-collect options.  Price and convenience are valid drivers, especially given the economic pressure facing residents. But as independent retailers […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Northeast, UNFI, Whole Foods

UNFI Extends Distribution Partnership With Whole Foods Market

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) has extended its wholesale grocery distribution partnership with Whole Foods Market, an affiliate of Amazon.com, by entering into an extension of the current distribution agreement. The term of the extended distribution agreement between the parties will run through May 2032, replacing the prior agreement that was set to expire in […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods

Thrive Market Hires Lane As Chief Merchandising Officer

Thrive Market has named April Lane its chief merchandising officer, bringing decades of e-commerce experience to her role. As the chief merchandising officer, Lane will be responsible for the site’s merchandising, which spans food, home, health and beauty. She will also manage the Food Safety and Quality (FSQA) team, which oversees food quality, safety and regulatory […]

Posted inExecutive News, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Southwest, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market CEO Talks Future Of Food Retail

Jason Buechel, Whole Foods Market CEO, took part in two panel discussions – the evolving food retail landscape and the future of work – during the recent Milken Institute Global Conference 2024. A gathering of global leaders from business, finance, government and philanthropy, this year’s conference focused on the critical issues facing the world today, […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Supply Chain News, Whole Foods

Amazon Adds Grocery Delivery Subscription For Prime Members

Amazon has introduced a new grocery delivery subscription benefit, available to Prime members and customers using EBT in more than 3,500 cities and towns across the U.S.  At $9.99 per month for Prime members, the subscription offers unlimited grocery delivery on orders of more than $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and a variety […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods

Alliance Retail Group, Swiftly Unveil Retail Media Network

Alliance Retail Group has launched its Retail Media Network in conjunction with Swiftly, offering more than 1,400 independent retailers a way to connect more personally with their 22 million unique consumers through digital and in-store campaigns. “What sets our Retail Media Network apart is that our retailers will receive 100 percent of the dollars we […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market Honors Top Suppliers

Whole Foods Market has announced the 16 brands receiving its 2023 Supplier All-Star Awards for promoting excellence through quality, innovation, value and sustainability. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on this committed group of suppliers and the remarkable contributions they’ve made to enriching our customer’s shopping experiences, advancing our purpose, and pushing the boundaries […]

Posted inBakery News, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods

Nature’s Bakery Adds Salted Caramel To Brownie Line

Nature’s Bakery, known for its fig bars and other soft-baked snacks, debuted a new flavor of its brownie line at Natural Products Expo West on March 14–16 in Anaheim, California. The Salted Caramel Brownie is made with whole grains, dates and vegan chocolate. Salted Caramel Brownie follows the launch of Nature’s Bakery’s Double Chocolate Brownie in July 2023. In less […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods

Study Reveals Top Grocers Based On Consumer Preference

Market Force’s newest syndicated research covering grocery retailers suggests that consumers are still focused on pricing and promotions, but that slowing inflation has allowed them to also choose grocers based on convenience, cleanliness and variety of merchandise. H-E-B, Fry’s, King Soopers, Brookshire Grocery and Food Lion rank at the top of consumer preference, receiving the […]

Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, West, Whole Foods

Chosen Foods To Debut Sauces, Spreads At Expo West

Chosen Foods will debut three dip and drizzle sauces, a Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and a squeeze bottle package at Natural Products Expo West 2024 Hall E booth 5606. The company’s mission is to replace bad fats with the good ones by incorporating 100-percent pure avocado oil as a key ingredient in its products. Available at Walmart and on Chosen […]

Posted inOrganic Natural, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods

Lundberg Becomes Leading Regenerative Organic Certified Brand

Lundberg Family Farms, a grower of organic rice and maker of packaged rice and rice snacks, has become the leading U.S. Regenerative Organic Certified food brand introducing more than 70 products across its portfolio. Last year, Lundberg became the first U.S.-grown rice brand to launch Regenerative Organic Certified rice. “We have a massive opportunity to positively impact consumers’ plates […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market Selects Participants For LEAP Program

Whole Foods Market has announced the participants for its latest cohort in the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), celebrating brands selected for the program’s Early Growth track. Launched in 2022, LEAP advances Whole Foods Market’s core value of supporting local and emerging suppliers by creating mentorship opportunities for cohort participants with Whole Foods Market experts, […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast, Whole Foods

Whole Foods To Open ‘Daily Shop’ Format Store In NYC

Whole Foods Market is introducing a new, quick-shop store format to provide customers in urban neighborhoods with easier access to fresh offerings. The new format – Whole Foods Market Daily Shop – will initially launch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan with additional locations in New York City to follow. The first store, located […]

Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods

Unique Snacks Celebrates Double-Digit Growth in 2023

Unique Snacks, a sixth-generation family-owned and operated snack company, continued to grow its brand and expand the availability of its signature snacks in 2023. Among other achievements, the business grew its brick-and-mortar distribution sales by 18 percent year-over-year, generated 20 percent year-over-year growth in Amazon sales and launched a new snack category: Puffzels, a gluten-free, […]