The Shelby Report of the West recently visited with Merrick Rosner, Instacart’s head of revenue and solution sales, independent grocery, to learn more about the company’s e-commerce platform Storefront Pro. What is involved in training employees on how to use e-commerce platforms like Storefront Pro? Storefront Pro gives grocers of all sizes the ability to […]
Category: West
The Shelby Report of the West covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, West
AFMA: Grocers Weather Supply Chain Uncertainties, Keep Focus On Customers
Lisa Bednar, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, took time out of her busy legislative season to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the West’s Lorrie Griffith about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. We’re coming out of a year that saw a new administration in the White House, a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, News, West
Harmons Grocery Shares Several Executive Promotions
Harmons Grocery has promoted several executives following retirements within the Utah-based company. Lori Nigh The grocer has promoted Lori Nigh to EVP and COO following the retirement of Paul Adamson, who served 22 years as EVP of operations at the West Valley City, Utah-based grocer. Nigh most recently served as VP of sales, where she […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Moving To Broader Appeal – ‘We’ve Got To Give Everybody Something’
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, News, West
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Wins NGA’s Student Case Study Competition
The National Grocers Association Foundation shared that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo won the NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition following presentations at The NGA Show in Las Vegas. This year’s case study, “Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired,” challenged students to develop innovative, practical solutions for Nugget Markets, a 16-location independent grocer across Northern […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, West
The Save Mart Companies, Healthy Room Project Launch Food Security Initiative
The Save Mart Companies has been named the official grocery partner of the Healthy Room Project, a nonprofit serving underserved communities across the state’s Central Valley. The Modesto-based grocery chain will supply all food items for the program’s meal boxes within its store service area and support the initiative through additional service and volunteer efforts. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, West
Grocery Development Continues Around Cities Across Arizona
As population and construction projects continue to grow in number in Arizona, the grocery industry is responding with growth of its own. Following is a roundup of some planned and recent store openings. On Jan. 12, Aldi announced its plans for 2026 and beyond, including 180 new stores as well as three new distribution centers. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, News, West
Natural Products Expo West Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Natural Products Expo West returns March 3-6 to Anaheim, California, with new features and a keynote lineup designed to elevate the attendee experience as the show celebrates its 45th anniversary. The leading event for the organic and natural products industry will feature educational sessions and networking opportunities covering sustainability practices and market trends. New show […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, News, Nonfood Items, West
Albertsons Cos. Launches Celebrations Digital Hub For Party Planning
Albertsons Companies launched Celebrations, a digital destination designed to simplify planning special moments by consolidating custom cakes, floral arrangements, catering trays, themed décor and recipes in one location. Available across Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. websites and apps – including Albertsons, Safeway, ACME, Shaw’s, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Vons and Tom Thumb – Celebrations brings together products and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Finance News, International Foods, News, West
Tokyo Central Opens 15th U.S. Store In Emeryville, California
Tokyo Central, operated by Marukai Corporation, has opened its 15th U.S. location in Emeryville, California. The new store spans 40,635 square feet and includes a 1,625-square-foot sushi bar called Handroll Factory. It is Tokyo Central’s second Northern California location, adding to its network of 12 stores in California and two in Hawaii. Situated between Oakland […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, West
Bringing Public Company Discipline To Longtime Family-Owned Business
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, News, West
Ridley’s Family Markets To Acquire Terrel’s Markets In UT
Ridley’s Family Markets, a family-owned grocery retailer serving the Intermountain West, has entered into an agreement to acquire Terrel’s Markets. The transaction is expected to close on or near the first week of April. All six Terrel’s Markets locations – in Fillmore, Gunnison, Mount Pleasant, Nephi, Payson and Santaquin, Utah – will transition to the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
SoCal-Based Vallarta Supermarkets Charts Path Of Growth, Change
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Sustainability News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Smartway Deploys AI Waste-Reduction Tech Across 39 Vallarta Supermarkets
Smartway, a France-based food waste technology provider, completed deployment of its artificial intelligence-powered waste management system across 39 Vallarta Supermarkets locations in six months, marking the company’s entry into the North American market. The rollout included 34 stores in five weeks across center store grocery, deli, frozen and dairy departments. The deployment followed a three- […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
The Wonderful Company Awards $1.5M In Grants To Central Valley Nonprofits
The Wonderful Company has announced the latest recipients of its Central Valley Community Grants program, awarding more than $1.5 million in funding to 43 organizations across California’s Central Valley. The grants support initiatives focused on health and wellness, education, recreation, community beautification, art and social services in communities where more than 3,000 Wonderful employees live […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Cos. Names Pinkham EVP, Chief HR Officer
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has appointed Allison Pinkham EVP and chief human resources officer, effective Feb. 16. Pinkham brings more than 25 years of executive leadership and human resources experience to the retailer. She most recently served as chief human resources officer and executive committee member at Galderma, a global dermatology category leader. In that […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, West
The Save Mart Cos., Keurig Dr Pepper Raise $650K For Hunger Relief
Modesto, California-based The Save Mart Companies and Keurig Dr Pepper raised more than $650,000 for food banks across California and western Nevada through their Friends Feeding Friends holiday hunger relief campaign. The campaign combined more than $533,000 in shopper donations with $120,000 in corporate contributions. The Save Mart Companies and Keurig Dr Pepper each gave […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
EcoATM To Showcase Device Recycling Kiosks At NGA Show
EcoATM will exhibit its electronic device recycling kiosks during The 2026 NGA Show in Las Vegas, demonstrating partnership opportunities for independent grocers. The San Diego, California-based company operates more than 7,000 kiosks nationwide at grocery and discount stores. The kiosks allow shoppers to recycle their phones and receive cash on the spot in less than […]
Posted inBakery News, News, West
Otis Spunkmeyer Removes Artificial Dyes From All U.S. Products
Otis Spunkmeyer has removed all artificial food grade dyes from its branded baked goods, with 100 percent of products manufactured after Jan. 1 not having any Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) colors. The reformulation affects all Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, muffins and sweet baked goods sold in foodservice and retail in-store bakery channels. A small […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Finance News, News, West
Dick’s Market Featured In Nationwide Film “STANDOUT”
Dick’s Market in Centerville, Utah, served as a filming location for “STANDOUT: The Ben Kjar Story,” a feature film that opened Jan. 23 in theaters nationwide and won the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. The film chronicles the life of Ben Kjar, a Utah native born with Crouzon syndrome who became a three-time state wrestling champion, […]