Through proceeds from limited-edition reusable bag sales and customer donations, Natural Grocers’ Organic Month campaign raised $113,220 for the Rodale Institute, exceeding its $100,000 goal. “This incredible achievement is thanks to the generosity of our customers and the dedication of our good4u crew, who helped promote the campaign in stores every day,” said Raquel Isely, VP […]
Category: Southwest
The Shelby Report of the Southwest covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart, Sam’s Club Campaign Raises $360K For North Texas Food Bank
The community of North Texas helped raise more than $360,000 for families in need through the 12th annual Walmart and Sam’s Club “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign. Supported by shoppers, employees and partnerships with food and beverage brands, the campaign helped provide donations to North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) during a time when an estimated […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Celebrates Small Businesses During 12th Annual Open Call
Walmart recently held its 12th annual Open Call, welcoming more than 500 entrepreneurs from 47 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., who each came ready to pitch products made, grown or assembled in the United States. More than 100 businesses received Golden Tickets, which offer suppliers the opportunity to sell their products at Walmart and […]
Posted inBakery News, Independent Store News, Natural Grocers, News, Organic Natural, Southwest
Natural Grocers Expands Private-Label Brand With Organic Tortillas
Organic grocery retailer Natural Grocers has added Natural Grocers Brand Organic Tortillas to its private-label brand. Made in New Mexico using traditional techniques, the four additions to the company’s house brand are certified organic, non-GMO, kosher and made without hydrogenated fats, flour-bleaching agents or chemical dough conditioners. Customers can choose from a range of sizes, from […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Forecasts 2026 Top Food, Beverage Trends
Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council has shared its top food trends for 2026 in the retailer’s annual predictions report. The council foresees 2026 as the year of fiber frenzy, fine-dining freezer finds and an uptick in tallow. The council – a collective of Whole Foods Market employees ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Names 2025 Quest For Texas Best Competition Winners
H-E-B has announced the winners of its 12th Annual H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition, a statewide search for superior products made in the Lone Star State. Judges and H-E-B employees convened in San Antonio for the final decisions and selected the winners, who will receive a combined $110,000 in prize money and the opportunity […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Southwest
Clark’s Continued Serving Meeker Community Despite Encroaching Wildfire
When wildfires threatened Watt’s Ranch Market in Meeker, Colorado, this summer, two executives from the company that owns the store – Aspen-based Clark’s Market – stepped in to keep it operating while team members went home to prepare for possible evacuation. Clark’s COO Jim Clapp first arrived on the scene, later joined by Director of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Natural Grocers, Southwest, Sustainability News
Natural Grocers To Donate 1% Of Sales On World Food Day
In honor of World Food Day on Oct. 16, Natural Grocers will hold an in-store fundraising campaign benefiting The Cornucopia Institute. The company has pledged to donate 1 percent of sales from all stores nationwide, with a goal of raising more than $45,000 for the nonprofit. By shopping at a Natural Grocers that day, customers will help support The Cornucopia […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Eliminating Synthetic Dyes Across All Private Label Products
Walmart U.S. plans to eliminate synthetic dyes and the use of an additional 30 ingredients, including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes from its private brand food products. The change, which includes all Walmart U.S. food private brands such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed and bettergoods, is in line with evolving customer preferences and supports […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
Orsak To Take Helm As H-E-B President
H-E-B has promoted COO Roxanne Orsak to president, effective in January, succeeding Craig Boyan, who plans to retire at the end of 2026 after 20 years at the helm. Orsak will be the first woman to serve as president of H-E-B, which was founded 120 years ago by Florence Butt, a pioneering female entrepreneur. She […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, News, Southwest
Association: Overregulation Biggest Threat To Colorado’s Independent Grocers, C-Stores
“I guess I would say that it is getting harder and harder to hold the line.” That’s the assessment of Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, referring to the livelihoods of smaller retailers in Colorado such as convenience stores and independent grocers. “There aren’t a lot of good things to […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Affiliated Foods, News, Southwest, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
Affiliated Foods Leverages Technology To Boost Retailer Services, Engagement
Amarillo, Texas-based Affiliated Foods Inc. is investing in forward-thinking technology to enhance the shopping experience for consumers and improve operational efficiency for its retail members. Among the most visible innovations is the implementation of digital video rails in member stores – a project led by Josh Silvia, AFI’s network and PC manager. Vusion v-rails is […]
Posted inExecutive News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, News, Southwest
Henshaw Named VP, General Manager Of Perdue Specialty Meats
Westminster, Colorado-based Perdue Specialty Meats and Emerging Brands has appointed Jason Henshaw as VP and general manager of Perdue Specialty Meats, which includes the premium and natural protein brands Niman Ranch and Coleman All Natural Meats, as well as the Perdue Premium Meat Company operations. Henshaw brings more than two decades of leadership experience in […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Affiliated Foods, Anniversary Issues, News, Southwest
Manufacturing Subsidiaries Fuel AFI Membership’s Success, Growth
At Affiliated Foods Inc. (AFI), a member-owned cooperative headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, the value of community-focused manufacturing is front and center. Noma Burr, the company’s chief financial officer, has seen that impact firsthand since joining the organization in 1996. Burr highlighted how AFI’s manufacturing subsidiaries – which include a bakery, dairy, meat processing plant and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Affiliated Foods, Anniversary Issues, News, Southwest
Affiliated Foods At 80: Cooperative’s Legacy Remains Rooted In Family
In an industry defined by change, Affiliated Foods Inc. in Amarillo, Texas, has spent the last 80 years anchoring independent grocers with a simple promise: integrity, innovation and a shared sense of ownership. This year, that legacy is honored on a larger stage. The Shelby Report of the Southwest has named AFI its Wholesaler of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Preps New Location In Fort Smith, AR
Harps Food Stores Inc. will open a new 39,000-square-foot store Oct. 8 at 6400 Veterans Ave. in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The store will feature a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including organics, along with USDA Prime beef, all-natural pork and poultry and seafood; deli and signature bakery products; and fresh sushi, as well […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Introduces Organic Restaurant-Style Tortilla Chips
Natural Grocers is expanding its private label brand with the introduction of Organic Restaurant-Style Tortilla Chips. With three flavors to choose from, the snacks are crafted with authentic stone-ground organic corn and sea salt. The new additions to the company’s house brand are certified organic, non-GMO, vegan-friendly, kosher and are made without synthetic colors and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, News, Southwest
Seaboard Foods Expands Operations With Purchase Of Farms
Seaboard Foods has purchased three farms in Texas and Oklahoma, acquisitions that include barns with a total of 57,000 market hog spaces to supply its pork processing plant in Guymon, Oklahoma. The acquired farms – in Perryton, Texas, and Balko and Optima, Oklahoma – align with Seaboard Foods’ connected food system’s goal of maintaining control […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, Southwest
H-E-B Debuts Third Store In Georgetown, TX
H-E-B opened a new store Sept. 17 at 10110 RM 2338 in Georgetown, Texas, the retailer’s third location in the fast-growing suburb of Austin. Known as the Parmer Ranch H‑E‑B, it features a pharmacy with covered, five-lane drive-thru service, 12-pump fuel station with car wash and Texas Backyard, which offers products for gardening and outdoor […]
Posted inProduce News, Affiliated Foods, Independent Store News, Lowes Markets, News, Southwest
Lowe’s Markets, EmpowerFresh Expand Produce Partnership
Lowe’s Markets, a Texas-based grocery chain, has expanded its partnership with EmpowerFresh, an AI-powered ordering and analytics platform built for independents’ produce departments. Building on the success of an initial six-store pilot, the rollout will extend EmpowerFresh’s solutions to 68 locations across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Kansas. The produce department – often considered […]