Following a months-long delay, Publix Super Markets has opened its new store at The Avenir Town Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The 48,387-square-foot store at 12535 Northlake Blvd. was just days from opening last October when an EF3 tornado caused significant damage to the roof and walls, delaying the opening until repairs could be […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
For ‘Experience-Based Retailer’ Food City, Every Element Of Store Matters
Walk into a Food City store and the first thing you see is a thank-you note. A tribute to the town – whatever one it happens to be – right there in the lobby, where the company has made a habit of saying thank you to the community before asking anything of it. “I just […]
Posted inSoutheast, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Organic Natural
New Sprouts Opens Along Southwest FL Coast
Sprouts Farmers Market opened a new store May 15 in Naples, Florida. The store sits at 5351 Airport Road North in Naples, along Florida’s southwest coast. According to Sprouts’ website, it operates 63 stores in the Sunshine State. Sprouts noted on its Facebook page that it held “coast to coast” grand openings on May 15, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Breaks Ground On Sixth Location In Metro Huntsville, AL
Food City company officials broke ground May 15 for a new store on Old Highway 20 in Madison, Alabama, the sixth location planned for the greater Huntsville market. The 56,000-plus-square-foot retail supermarket is expected to open next spring. “Our first four Huntsville locations have been very well received, and we would like to thank our […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City Growth Brings ‘Fun Challenge’ Of Managing Distribution, Culture
When an ice storm hits and the news tells everyone to stay home, Greg Sparks knows exactly what happens next. “Our drivers are out there,” he said. That mindset – part duty, part pride – helps explain why Food City is The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s 2026 Retailer of the Year. Having served friends […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City CEO Reflects On Legacy, Growth, Art Of Running Best Store In Town
Having served friends and neighbors for more than 100 years, Food City is proud to be locally owned and operated. With 164 retail outlets spanning five states, the company’s dedicated team of more than 19,200 associates is committed to the mission it was founded upon: to “run the best store in town.” That commitment to […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
Registration Opens For IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show In Orlando
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has opened registration for the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show, which is set for Oct. 14-16 and returns to Orlando, Florida, for the first time in several years. The gathering brings together the global fresh produce and floral supply chain for three days of connection, insight, and business […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Kueffner: NC Grocers Maneuvering To Meet Regulatory Rules, Consumer Needs
Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, is in the midst of a busy legislative season in North Carolina that got under way April 21. Nevertheless, she took time to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Lorrie Griffith about the state’s grocery industry and some of the challenges […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Feature, Featured News, News, Southeast, Walmart
Walmart Blanketing Southeast With Remodeled Supercenters, Additional Locations
On April 16, Walmart announced its plans for remodels and new locations in markets across the country. A total of 650 remodels is planned, along with 20 new store locations this year and early into 2027. “This year, we are making a significant investment in our stores across the United States, reinforcing our commitment to […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Southeast
HFG Appoints English VP Of Retail Operations For Save A Lot
Houchens Food Group (HFG) has appointed Grant English as VP of retail operations for Save A Lot. English brings more than 36 years of retail management experience to the role, with a background in multi-unit operations, team leadership and driving operational excellence. English most recently served as director of operations at Food Lion, a role […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Featured News, News, Southeast
PWADC Food Show To Feature New Products, Education Sessions
Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. (PWADC) is heading into its May food show and aims to build on recent gains in show performance, private label, fresh and digital participation. Tod Seiling, who joined PWADC as chief merchandising officer in October 2025 after executive roles with Lidl US and Save A Lot, said the co-op has […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Honors Employees For 30-45 Years Of Service
Food Lion is recognizing a record number of more than 400 employees who are celebrating 30 to 45 years of service in 2026. They were celebrated April 30 during Food Lion’s annual Service Awards ceremony, where the company expresses its appreciation for those reaching major career milestones. Decades of dedication Each of the employees marking […]
Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, Food City, News, Southeast
Greene, Slagle Take On New Roles At Food City
Food City recently announced two key leadership moves, naming Joe Greene EVP of operations for its Knoxville, Tennessee, division and expanding Bucky Slagle’s role to VP of foodservice, Starbucks, produce and floral operations. The moves bring more than 80 years of combined industry experience to expanded leadership positions across the 163-store grocery chain. Greene returns […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Flowers Foods Expands Breakfast, Snacking Lineup For Five Brands
Flowers Foods Inc. is adding to its breakfast and snacking selection with new offerings from Canyon Bakehouse, Dave’s Killer Bread, Simple Mills, Tastykake and Wonder brands. The company’s new breakfast offerings span bagels, breakfast bars, English muffins, doughnuts, Danishes and pancake and waffle mixes. Snack additions include protein and snack bars, snack bites, crème filled […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Braswell Family Farms, Food City Partner To Support Coalition For Kids
Braswell Family Farms and Food City have teamed up on a new initiative to support Coalition For Kids Inc., a Johnson City, Tennessee-based organization that provides children across the region with a faith-based environment. Through the partnership, Braswell Family Farms donates 10 cents for every dozen Natural Choice Cage-Free White Large eggs sold at participating […]
Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Executive Chairman Jones To Retire After 46 Years Of Service
Publix has shared that Executive Chairman Todd Jones will retire, effective May 31, but remain involved in the company as chairman of its board of directors. The announcement caps a 46-year career at Publix that began with Jones as a front-service clerk and culminated in him serving as the company’s top executive. Publix CEO Kevin […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Southeast
ECRS Launches Retail Success Story Contest
ECRS has begun a Retail Success Story Contest that gives retailers in its CATAPULT community an opportunity to showcase how they have used the company’s technology to drive results. The contest is open to all ECRS customers that have a current support contract, with submissions due by May 31. The winning retailer will be announced […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Executive News, Featured News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City’s Greene Named TGCSA Retailer Of The Year
The board of directors of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association has selected Joe Greene, VP of produce and floral operations for K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. (operating as Food City), as its 2026 Retailer of the Year. Greene will be recognized at the association’s annual Convention & Expo June 2-4 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, Ingles Markets, News, Southeast
Showdown Over Ingles’ Board Vote Results In Election Of Held
Asheville, North Carolina-based Ingles Markets Inc. has shared preliminary voting results from its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with Rory Held and Dwight Jacobs elected as Class A directors. Held was the nominee put forward by activist investor Summer Road LLC. In the same vote, Fred D. Ayers, Robert P. Ingle II, Patricia E. Jackson, […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, News, Southeast
AL Grocers Face State Tax Holiday As National Rollback Accelerates
Beginning May 1, Alabama grocers will stop collecting the state’s 2 percent sales tax on food for two months under House Bill 527. But as the Alabama Department of Revenue has made clear, the temporary holiday comes with important operational considerations for retailers – and Alabama is far from alone in the push to cut […]