Ten days after opening to the public, FreshTake Grocery in Augusta, Georgia, will hold its grand opening celebration Jan. 30. Located at 2907 Washington Road, FreshTake’s shopping experience includes amenities such as a sushi bar, pizza and pasta counter, barbecue smokehouse, hot food stations and a full-service Starbucks. Customers can visit Jackson’s Beer and Wine […]
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 inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion To Open New Store Jan. 29 In Troutman, NC
Food Lion is preparing to open a new store Jan. 29 at 155 Crosstie Lane in Troutman, North Carolina. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 7:45 a.m. Afterward, the first 100 customers will receive a mystery gift card valued up to $200 and a free reusable shopping bag. “I’ve had the pleasure of serving […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Taps Johnson As New President, CEO
The Fresh Market Board of Directors has appointed Brian Johnson as president and CEO, effective Feb. 3, replacing Jason Potter, who is leaving to become president and CEO of California-based Grocery Outlet. Related: Grocery Outlet Names Potter As President, CEO Johnson has served as chief operating officer (COO) at the Greensboro, North Carolina-based retailer since […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, Southeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Open First Kentucky Store
BJ’s Wholesale Club is preparing to open its first store in Kentucky on Jan. 31 at 4807 Outer Loop, Louisville. The store, which will also mark the retailer’s 250th location in the U.S., will have a BJ’s Gas location. “Our growth is the result of delivering unbeatable value and convenience to families for more than […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Sprouts Farmers Market Prepares To Open New Store In St. Johns, FL
Sprouts Farmers Market will open a new location Jan. 31 at 120 Shops Blvd. in St. Johns, Florida, marking its first store opening of 2025. “St. Johns County is the healthiest county in Florida, as published by the U.S. News & World Report in 2024. So it makes sense for Sprouts Farmers Market to open […]
Posted inProduce News, Food Service News, Southeast
Fresh Express Acquires McEntire Produce
Fresh Express Inc. has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., a fresh-cut processor, repacker and wholesaler based in Columbia, South Carolina. Fresh Express is a brand in value-added salads and fresh produce based in Salinas, California, This strategic acquisition, confirmed by Fresh Express President John P. Olivo and McEntire Produce President and CEO Carter McEntire, combines McEntire […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Ahold Delhaize USA, Food Lion Recognized As Top Employers
Ahold Delhaize USA and its omnichannel brand, Food Lion, have been named as top employers in the U.S. by the Top Employers Institute, which recognizes organizations that cultivate great workplaces through excellent human resources policies and people practices. “We’re honored by this recognition,” said Cathy Edwards, VP of human resources for Ahold Delhaize USA. “At […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Lowes Foods, Southeast
Pursuit Of Innovation Key To ‘Very Bright Future’ For Lowes Foods
Lowes Foods is celebrating 70 years in the grocery business this year. It began with a small grocery store in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, operated by Jim Lowe, who was part of the family that founded a separate business under the same name selling home improvement products. The focus at Jim Lowe’s grocery store was on […]
Posted inBakery News, Southeast
Flowers Foods To Aquire Simple Mills
Thomasville, Georgia-based Flowers Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Simple Mills for $795 million in cash. The addition of Simple Mills expands Flowers’ exposure to better-for-you and attractive snacking segments, as well as enhances the company’s growth and margin prospects. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, Simple Mills is a natural brand offering better-for-you […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Lowes Foods, Southeast
Lowes Foods’ In-Store Atmosphere Offers Sense Of Community
The Community Table is the heart of a Lowes Foods store. Constructed of reclaimed wood from local barns, the table is designed to bring the community together through events like food pairings, tea parties and floral arranging classes. Private events ranging from birthday parties for kids to beer and wine pairings for adults (Beer & […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Executive News, Piggly Wiggly, Southeast
Piggly Wiggly Alabama President To Retire, Successor Named
Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. President and CEO Jerry McCann is retiring and will be succeeded this month by grocery industry veteran Christopher Brown. McCann has served the Bessemer, Alabama-based wholesaler for more than 36 years in many capacities, including the last three-and-a-half years as president. According to the PWADC Board of Directors, Brown brings […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
Employee-Owned Food Giant Serves Rural MS By Focusing On Price, Quality
Location, customer service, price and quality are just a few of the attributes that help Food Giant stores in northern Mississippi stand out. The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with David Holcomb, division manager, to learn more about the company’s competitive strategy. How long has Food Giant been operating in Mississippi? Kenneth Storey, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds’ Holidays Without Hunger Program Sets Record Donation
Food Lion Feeds and its customers have helped provide the equivalent of more than 29 million meals this holiday season. This set a record, quadrupling the previous highest Holidays Without Hunger meal count in 2021, which was equal to more than 6.6 million meals. The initiative benefits Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS Marks Milestone With Gateway EDI Solution
ECRS has reached 100 supplier integrations for Gateway, its electronic data interchange (EDI) solution, a module within the comprehensive retail management software suite, CATAPULT Retail POS. Among these 100 supplier integrations, some of the most notable partners include UNFI, KeHE, Associated Wholesale Grocers, McKesson, Phillip & King and Southern Glazers. These EDI partnerships empower independent retailers to further streamline their supply […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Awards $3.2M In Disaster Relief Grants
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $3.2 million in disaster relief grants to support 120 organizations and their communities. The organizations were affected by Hurricane Helene’s devastation and destruction in September. The grants provide financial assistance to community feeding partners that have played a vital role in helping those impacted by the storm. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Harris Teeter, Southeast
Harris Teeter Recognized By Newsweek For Workplace Diversity
Harris Teeter has been recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity” for 2025. “We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek for our workplace culture, which emphasizes inclusion and belonging,” said Lauren Furr, the grocer’s director of learning and development and diversity, equity and inclusion. “Fostering a sense of belonging among our […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
CFIC Donates $50K To Manna FoodBank In Asheville, NC
The Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC) has donated $50,000 to Manna FoodBank in Asheville, North Carolina. This donation comes at a crucial time as Western North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Lindsey Kueffner, CFIC’s executive director, presented the check to Manna FoodBank CEO Claire Neal and Chief Development Officer Mary […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southeast
Houchens Food Group Promotes Rush To President, Knies To CMO, SVP
Kentucky-based Houchens Food Group has promoted Greg Rush to president and Craig Knies as CMO and SVP of merchandising. “Greg is an industry veteran and very deserving of this promotion,” said Dion Houchins, CEO and chairman of Houchens Food Group. “I look forward to working closely with Greg and I know he will do a […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Independent Store News, Southeast
AWG Member Roberts Co. Joins Upside To Boost Loyalty
Roberts Company Inc., a grocery chain operating Corner Market and Grocery Depot locations in the Jackson/Hattiesburg, Mississippi, area, has partnered with Upside, building on the technology firm’s efforts to support Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) members. “We are committed to delivering exceptional service, and Upside’s work to drive more customers to our Corner Market and […]
Posted inExecutive News, Food Lion, Southeast
Ahold Delhaize USA Names Next Food Lion President
Ahold Delhaize USA has announced that Greg Finchum, Food Lion’s EVP of retail operations, will become president of the North Carolina-based grocer in May, following the retirement of longtime leader Meg Ham. Finchum, who joined Food Lion in 1989, has been in his current role for more than a decade. The company described him as […]