Walmart plans to open a miniature version of its typical store on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta in the second quarter of this year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. It will be the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer’s smallest store in the U.S. The Walmart on Campus concept is a test format that focuses on pharmacy, basic […]
Category: Southeast
The Shelby Report of the Southeast covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted in, National, Southeast
Food City Category Manager Mike Sullivan Passes Away At Age 63
Mike Sullivan, a category food manager for KVAT-Food City, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee. He was 63. Sullivan was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 8, 1949, a son of Carla Doecher Sullivan of St. Petersburg, Fla., and the late Jack Sullivan. In addition to his parents, he […]
Posted in, Southeast
Kroger Ratifies Agreement With UFCW Local 1995
The Kroger Co. associates working at stores in the company’s Mid-South and Atlanta Divisions have ratified a new labor agreement with UFCW Local 1995, according to a news release. “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates and allows us to be competitive in the region,” says John Hackett, president […]
Posted in, New Products, Southeast
Swamp Seeds Now Sold In 5K-Plus Stores
The concept started on the back of Marshall Beall’s pickup truck, moved to Cathy Bryant’s kitchen sink and now can be found in more than 5,000 stores across Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Texas. Swamp Seeds, a Cajun concoction of sunflower seeds roasted in crawfish boil is literally and figuratively one of the hottest products […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southeast
Southern Season Plans New Store In Charleston
Southern Season plans to open a store in Charleston, S.C., in the early summer of 2013. The 44,000-s.f. store will be owned by The Beach Co. and located at the Brookgreen Town Center on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. The store will include one of the world’s largest gourmet food markets with a vast selection […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southeast
New 7-Elevens Signal Growth In Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami has become home to three new corner store-type 7-Elevens, a sign of growth in the area, the South Florida Business Journal reports. The new stores are smaller than a typical 7-Eleven, do not include a parking lot and focus on grab-and-go options for the increasing number of residents and workers in the downtown […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Kroger Marketplace Slated To Open In Gainesville, Ga., In 2014
A Kroger Marketplace store is coming to Gainesville, Ga. The 123,000-s.f. store will anchor a new shopping center, East Holland Market, at the intersection of Jesse Jewell/Limestone Parkway. The complex will offer an additional 20,000 s.f. of retail space. In addition, nine outparcels will be created on both sides of Jesse Jewell Parkway and 26 […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Former Publix President Mark C. Hollis Passes Away At 78
Mark C. Hollis, retired Publix president and director emeritus, passed away early this morning at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 78 Hollis was born and raised in Lakeland, Fla. His Publix career spanned nearly 60 years, beginning in 1946 at the age of 12 where his first job was bagging potatoes. He worked in […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Southeast
Top Tennessee Legislators Endorse Wine In Grocery Stores
The two top Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly have endorsed the sale of wine in grocery stores, The Associated Press reports. According to the Memphis Business Journal, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, speaker of the Senate, and House Speaker Beth Harwell told the AP they support the sale of wine in supermarkets “I think opponents […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
US Foods Opening First Chef Store In Charlotte
Food company and distributor US Foods has taken 30,000 s.f. in the vacant former Walmart building on Eastway Drive in Charlotte and is opening a food and restaurant supply store in the space. It will offer more than 4,000 staples and specialty products for chefs, restaurant owners and food industry professionals, the Charlotte Business Journal […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Suspected Shoplifter Dies At Metro Atlanta Walmart
The Black Friday shopping weekend took a tragic turn early Sunday morning when a suspected shoplifter died while being apprehended by employees and a contract security officer outside a Lithonia, Ga., Walmart, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Two store employees who helped catch and subdue the suspect before police arrived have been placed on leave. The […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, Southeast
Competition For Green Consumers Heats Up Among South Florida Grocers
Large grocery chains are adding organic or “green” items to their aisles, hoping to keep up with growing demand from consumers, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports. This has made competition that much tougher for the pioneers in the industry such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s and The Fresh Market. Ecologically conscious and organic […]
Posted in, Executive News, Southeast
Roskovich To Lead Publix’s Charlotte Division
Publix Super Markets has selected company veteran Chuck Roskovich to lead its newly-formed Charlotte, N.C., division as its VP, retail operations. Publix announced in September its plans to enter the Tar Heel State with its first 56,000-s.f. store tentatively slated to open in Ballantyne near Charlotte in early 2014. Roskovich, who will begin his duties […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Alabama Grocers Raise $30K At Golf Tourney For Education Foundation
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation held its 20th annual fall golf outing Oct. 22 at Pine Tree Country Club in Birmingham, Ala. The tournament included two flights and raised more than $30,000 for the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation, which funds scholarships to employees and children of employees of Alabama Grocers Association member companies. To date […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southeast
N.C.-based blu eCigs To Help Rid Wrightsville Beach Of Littered Butts
blu eCigs has teamed up with Keep New Hanover County Beautiful and InnovaGreen Systems for the second annual Great American Butt Clean event taking place on the coastline in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 3. “Flicking a butt is kicking our environment’s butt because, every year, discarded cigarette butts litter our parks, sidewalks, public […]
Posted in, Southeast
November Recognized As Georgia Pecan Month
The first day of November marks the start of Georgia Pecan Month. Georgia leads the nation in producing this crunchy, buttery nut, with an average of 88 million pounds harvested each season, which reaches its peak in November. For the second year in a row and due to favorable weather conditions, the Georgia Pecan Commission […]
Posted in, Perishables, Southeast
Whole Foods Market Selling Better4U Foods In Florida Stores
Better4U Foods, a food company that produces all natural gluten-free and thin crust pizzas, has announced that Whole Foods Markets will begin selling its frozen pizzas in Florida stores beginning this month. Whole Foods Market, which will have 18 Florida stores by the end of month, has more than 300 stores nationwide and is considered […]
Posted in, Southeast
Georgia Pecan Commission’s Founder Inducted Into State’s Ag HOF
The Georgia Pecan Commission’s founder, Charles M. “Buddy” Leger, has been inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. Leger was honored at the University of Georgia’s 58th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet in Athens last month. He received the award for his lifetime support of Georgia agriculture; and creating several Georgia commodity boards, including the […]
Posted in, Southeast
Del Monte Bananas Participate In Children’s Hospital-Hosted Events
Del Monte Fresh Produce on Sept. 29 participated in two charity events hosted by Miami Children’s Hospital and other partners including Publix, Hyundai and Total Bank. Brand ambassadors in Del Monte banana costumes distributed fresh fruit to participants at both events. “We were happy to support these two worthwhile events with a small healthy token […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Is Presenting Sponsor For N.C.’s Holiday Caravan Parade
Food Lion has agreed to be the presenting sponsor of the Holiday Caravan Parade through 2014. The Holiday Caravan Christmas Parade draws up to 100,000 people to the main streets of Spencer and Salisbury, N.C., each year. The 2012 edition will be held on Nov. 21. “We are excited to have Food Lion’s commitment to […]