Publix has donated more than $200,000 in the past two years to protect coral reefs, which are vital for ocean health and provide a nursery for juvenile fish and crustaceans. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, around 25 percent of the fish in the ocean depend on coral reefs to survive. “At Publix, […]
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.
Consumer Brands Association Begins Search For New President, CEO
The Consumer Brands Association has formed a search committee that will be conducting a search for a new president and CEO for the organization ahead of David Chavern’s departure on Aug. 1. The committee will be led by Freshpet CEO Billy Cyr and includes: Linda Rendle, chair and CEO of The Clorox Co.; Mark Smucker, […]
Butterball Introduces Redesigned Packaging
Butterball is introducing new packaging for its portfolio of retail products for the first time since 2018. The redesign will enhance the consumer shopping experience by incorporating a consistent look and feel across all product lines with easy-to-read labeling, a bright blue design and an interactive QR code to boost shopper engagement with the brand. […]
Acosta Group Expands Partnership With J.M. Smucker Co.
Acosta Group, a sales and marketing agency collective based in Jacksonville, Florida, has expanded its engagement with The J.M. Smucker Company to include a complete North American solution for headquarter sales, retail merchandising and digital commerce. This appointment by The J.M. Smucker Co. is based on Acosta Group’s comprehensive set of services and solutions and demonstrated ability to support […]
Dollar General Donates $1M To Feeding America, Extends Partnership
Dollar General has extended its partnership with Feeding America for a fourth year with an additional $1 million donation to support the organization’s efforts to address national food insecurity. Since 2021, Dollar General has donated more than $4 million and more than 33 million meals through in-kind food donations. “As America’s largest retailer by store count, we […]
ECRS’ CATAPULT Retail POS Utilizes AI To Help Independent Grocers Compete
Artificial intelligence applications for local and regional retail grocers are no longer on the horizon – they are a reality today. Pete Catoe, founder and CEO of ECRS, a retail solutions provider, said AI technology is available to grocers with practical tools they should already be using to enhance the customer experience. Catoe said two […]
Publix Ice Cream Truck Sharing Limited-time Flavors
The Publix ice cream truck, featuring many of this season’s limited-time offerings, is winding up its road trip this summer. Upcoming ice cream truck stops include: July 4 – St. Pete, Florida, at the St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave., from 4-10 p.m.; July 6 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at Las Olas Beach, 240 Las […]
Aldi To Begin Winn-Dixie, Harveys Assimilation Process
North Florida’s biggest retail grocery news over the past year arguably came out of Jacksonville. Following a deal announced in August 2023 and completed in early March this year, Southeastern Grocers’ Winn-Dixie brand, along with sister banner Harveys Supermarkets, now are owned by Aldi, the value-focused retailer headquartered in Batavia, Illinois. Aldi said the deal […]
ECRS Introduces EBT Chip, Tap Technology For Retailers
Recognizing the need for enhanced security measures, ECRS has spearheaded the transition to chip and tap technology for EBT payments. Through collaboration with industry experts, ECRS’ E-Payments team has implemented support for the new SNAP EBT chip cards, allowing payment acceptance to retailers running ECRS’s CATAPULT Retail POS software. This initiative not only demonstrates ECRS’s […]
Lowes Foods Elevates Food Safety, Productivity With SmartSense
SmartSense by Digi has begun a new strategic relationship with Lowes Foods to automate asset health monitoring, integrate proactive maintenance and digitize food safety. Lowes Foods is owned by Alex Lee Inc., along with IGA and KJ’s Market locations. The SmartSense IoT Sensing-as-a-Service framework will protect more than 5,000 assets across 141 Lowes Foods locations. Founded […]
Publix Pharmacy Offers Customers Virtual Care Services
Publix Pharmacy customers have access to a virtual care service powered by WellSync. By filling out an online health questionnaire, customers can seek medical care from a licensed provider with no appointment needed and from the comfort of their home. “Publix Pharmacy continues to remove barriers so our customers can receive convenient health care services,” […]
BJ’s Shares Plans For New Stores In New Jersey, North Carolina
BJ’s Wholesale Club has announced the locations of its newest clubs, set to open in early 2025. The stores in Hanover Township and Southern Pines will mark the retailer’s 25th club in New Jersey and 10th in North Carolina. “We are excited to deliver the unbeatable value our membership offers to even more families in New Jersey […]
Food City Breaks Ground On Supermarket In Chattanooga, TN
Food City officials broke ground June 6 on a new supermarket on Lee Highway in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 56,000-square-foot retail supermarket, which will create 50-75 new area jobs, is expected to open early next year and will serve as a replacement for its current location. “We appreciate the support the residents of Chattanooga and Hamilton […]
Food City Preps For Opening Day In Pulaski, VA
The new supermarket that Food City is opening today on East Main Street in Pulaski, Virginia, replaces the grocery’s previous location in the city. “We have served the residents of Pulaski and the surrounding county for the past 24 years, and we’re excited to provide our valued customers with a new state-of-the-art Food City to […]
Reigning U.S. Retailer of the Year Pocahontas IGA Mixes It Up In Marlinton, WV
Pocahontas IGA in Marlinton, West Virginia, has been named one of the 2024 U.S. Retailers of the Year by the Independent Grocers Alliance, the highest honor the organization bestows upon its retail members. Owner Rob Hilleary and his team were nominated by their wholesaler, Merchant Distributors Inc., for their innovative store operations and for moving […]
Harris Teeter Prepares To Open Store In Beaufort, SC
Harris Teeter will hold a grand opening June 25 for its Lady’s Island store at 163 Sea Island Pkwy. in Beaufort, South Carolina. The grand opening will begin at 4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting, followed by Harris Teeter’s Taste of Teeter event with complimentary food and beverage samples and live music. The registers will be […]
ECRS, CoupDog Complete Initial Integration Phase To CATAPULT Platform
CoupDog, a next generation digital coupon provider, has completed the first phase of its integration to ECRS’ CATAPULT Retail POS platform. The new integration allows ECRS retailers access to CoupDog’s cutting-edge blockchain-powered coupon platform, providing an exceptional omnichannel experience for shoppers at CATAPULT-operated locations. Because CATAPULT Retail POS uniquely runs the same transactional logic across all retail […]
Retail Federation Executive: Grocery Industry In Florida Remains Resilient
Many Central Florida businesses are optimistic about the economy, according to a report by WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The report featured an update from Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, who stated the central region and the state should be able to avoid the worst impacts […]
Several Employees Assume Expanded Roles At Laurel Grocery
Laurel Grocery Co. shared that four employees have been promoted to new positions with expanded responsibilities and that a fifth is joining the company as a buyer. The company said the moves will position it for the long-term future and for continued growth and advancement of all workers. [RELATED: Laurel Grocery Named Wholesaler Of The […]
Work Underway On First Wawa Stores In Kentucky
Wawa has broken ground on its first two stores in Kentucky – one at 9650 Preston Crossing Blvd. in Louisville and the other at 3012 Lexington Road in Nicholasville – that are projected to open in the late second quarter of 2025. The groundbreaking ceremonies included VIP customers, state and local officials and charity partners. […]
