AWG’s all-in-one distribution hub in Hernando, Mississippi, has been a huge investment and massive undertaking for the company. The AIO facility is providing immediate and long-term sustainable benefits to the membership, according to AWG. The first of its kind in the U.S., and just the third such facility in the world, the AIO will replace […]
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 inBeverage News, Southeast
Bluebird Hardwater Expands Into Tennessee
Bluebird Hardwater, which combines premium spirits with ultra-purified water, has entered the Tennessee market, with a presence in Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville. Available in whiskey, vodka or tequila, Bluebird Hardwater can be found in two other states – Florida and New York. The canned beverages come in four-packs and can be purchased at select liquor stores. […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Beverage News, Southeast
A-GAME Beverages To Enter Southeast Piggly Wiggly Stores
A-GAME Beverages Inc.’s beverages are arriving in shelves in 265 southern Piggly Wiggly locations spanning across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana. More than half of Piggly Wiggly’s stores will carry a lineup of six flavors, formulated with sea salt for natural electrolytes and eight essential vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. “A-GAME is so excited that our product will be sold in Piggly […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southeast
Sedano’s Supermarkets Begins Annual Giveaway
Miami-based Sedano’s Supermarkets is giving back to its local community during its annual Season of Giving through giveaways and charity events. On Nov. 4, Sedano’s began its Season of Giving in partnership with The Li’l Abner Foundation, an organization providing children with tools and resources to enrich their education. Throughout the annual Season of Giving, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
Tryon IGA Owner Enjoys Freedom Of Being An Independent
Just a mile from the South Carolina border sits Tryon IGA, which has been serving Tryon, North Carolina for 26 years. Owner Willard Teaster has been part of the grocery business for nearly six decades. He started his grocery career with A&P in the produce department and went on to hold just about every managerial […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Smithfield Donations Help Fight Hunger In VA, NC
Smithfield Foods donated truckloads of food to food banks in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area in November through its Helping Hungry Homes hunger relief program. It also gave Smithfield hams and cash to support nonprofits in Virginia and North Carolina during the holidays. “At Smithfield, we feel a tremendous responsibility to give back to the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Carolina Retailers Face Alcohol Issues, Though Solutions Differ
Modernizing alcohol regulations has been a top priority in North and South Carolina, according to Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council. In North Carolina, the CFIC has been working to limit wine wholesalers’ split case fees. The charges ultimately limit retailers’ ability to provide deals to the customers and have been […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Beverage News, Southeast
Ready-To-Drink Cocktails Yields ‘Mixed Bag’ Of Success For TGCSA
Tennessee grocers are finding success in the sale of wine-based ready-to-drink cocktails, according to Rob Ikard, president and CEO, Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA). The amendment to the original Wine Act of 2014 went into effect Jan. 1. Although TGCSA had proposed legislation that would have authorized the sale of both wine- and […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Southeast
Publix Shares Additional Officer Promotions
Kevin Murphy, who was recently announced as Publix’s next CEO, has shared three officer promotions, which also will be effective Jan. 1. With John Goff’s upcoming promotion to president, Norman Badger will become SVP of retail operations and Chris Shaw will be the new VP of product business development for grocery. To enhance the company’s […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Southeast
Publix Makes Several Executive Moves With Promotions
Publix has shared several executive promotions that will take effect Jan. 1: CEO Todd Jones will become executive chairman, with President Kevin Murphy promoted to CEO and SVP John Goff to president. In addition, Chairman Ed Crenshaw will remain on the board as chairman emeritus. Jones began his career in 1980 as a front service […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Blue Star Foods, Sysco Sign 2-Year Bid Award Purchase Agreement
Blue Star Foods Corp. recently signed a two-year bid award purchase agreement with Sysco Corp. The Bid Award Purchase Agreement is effective immediately and is for purchase of Blue Star’s brands, such as Blue Star, Pacifika and Good Stuff. “Market demand is always shifting its dynamics. We worked with Sysco’s strategic sourcing team in achieving […]
Posted inFood City, Packaging News, Southeast
Food City, Eastman Expand Plastic Recycling Partnership
Food City has partnered with Eastman, a global specialty materials company, to bring additional plastic recycling options to the Appalachian Highlands region. Beginning in early 2024, customers can drop off plastic waste in collection bins at three Food City stores in Kingsport, Tennessee, where Eastman is headquartered. The plastic will be sorted and processed by […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Kentucky Grocery Industry ‘Quite Strong,’ Retail Crime A ‘Huge Issue’
The state of Kentucky reported General Fund receipts for July of $1.1 billion, which was the 11th straight month that revenues surpassed the $1 billion mark. The state’s overall unemployment rate for July was 3.8 percent, which is very low historically, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Communities Through ‘Score To Give More’ Program
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion Feeds is teaming up with 54 colleges and universities, including 16 women’s teams, to help feed those in need through its “Score To Give More” campaign. For each free throw made by participating schools, Food Lion Feeds will donate 100 meals to the school’s local food bank or pantry, up […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Southeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club Donates $15K To Alabama Elementary School
BJ’s Wholesale Club, an operator of membership warehouse clubs, celebrated the anticipated opening of its first club in Alabama by donating $15,000 to Midtown Elementary School. The foundation is providing funds for newly expanded music and arts programs at all seven Madison City elementary schools. “BJ’s Wholesale Club is committed to supporting the local communities […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Southeast
Survey Notes Barriers To Boosting In-Store Experience
Significant disconnects between physical and digital commerce and store and corporate leadership are among the key barriers to improving the grocery experience, according to a study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina-based Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. The study, which surveyed 346 high-volume store leaders and corporate level customer experience […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast
Fresh Del Monte Pioneers Plastic Banana Containers
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., a producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables based in Miami, Florida, is partnering with Arena Packaging to introduce reusable plastic containers for bananas. The invention aims to transform industry standards for the leading fruit in fresh produce, while reducing food waste, carbon emissions, operational costs and preserving […]
Posted inCenter Store, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
Yo Mama’s Foods Adds Three Alfredo Sauces
Yo Mama’s Foods, an all-natural, handcrafted pasta sauce company based in Clearwater, Florida, is launching new alfredo sauces in three flavors – Classic, Spicy and Garlic. Yo Mama’s Foods makes sauces that recreate the homemade, authentic tastes that would take hours over a stove to prepare. The shelf-stable alfredos have no added gums or fillers. […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southeast
Catalina Names Hunter As President, CEO
Kevin Hunter has been named president and CEO at St. Petersburg, Florida-based Catalina, effective immediately. He also will serve on the company’s board of directors. A six-year veteran of the company, Hunter had been serving in this role on an interim basis for the past three months. Previously, he was chief commercial officer and head […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
Lt. Gov. Ainsworth Receives AGA’s Spirit Of Alabama Award
The Alabama Grocers Association presented Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth its Spirit of Alabama Award, recognizing his commitment to the state’s grocery industry. At the annual Alabama Food Industry Finest Luncheon Oct. 26 at The Club in Birmingham, Ainsworth addressed more than 120 people to discuss the accomplishments attained in the 2023 legislative session and his […]