by Treva Bennett/staff writer Competition is alive and well in the Arizona grocery industry, and it looks to become even more so in the future. With a strong economy and growing population, Arizona—one of the hardest-hit states during the recession—is becoming more attractive to national retailers, according to Tim McCabe, president of the Arizona Food […]
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.
Bashas’ Diné Markets Celebrates Fully Remodeled And Remerchandised Tuba City Store
The Navajo Nation has even more access to healthy, nutritious food choices now that Bashas’ Diné Markets revealed its newly-renovated Tuba City, Arizona, location at Highways 160 and 264. In addition to extensive upgrades that were made to all areas of the store, Bashas’ introduced a larger produce department along with an increased amount and variety of […]
Rubicon Bakers Launches New Vegan Neapolitan Cupcakes
Rubicon Bakers has added Vegan Neapolitan Cupcakes to its product line. “Inspired by a nostalgic favorite, these delightful pink treats just happen to be vegan,” says Rubicon. Now available at retailers nationwide, the cupcakes are on shelves in time for Valentine’s Day. Rubicon Bakers is committed to its mission to “Bake A Better World” by hiring people […]
Raley’s Relaunches Private Label Lines With Greater Transparency
Raley’s is revamping its entire private label program, including the Raley’s, Raley’s Purely Made and Nob Hill Trading Co. brands. The relaunch includes a major expansion of the Purely Made brand, featuring additional standards and products for clean, affordable eating. “The Raley’s brand is high-quality products at a value,” says the company. “Raley’s Purely Made […]
Grocery Outlet Partners With RangeMe For Product Sourcing
RangeMe, an online platform “revolutionizing new product discovery between product suppliers and top retailers across the country,” is partnering with California-based extreme-value retailer Grocery Outlet. “We are committed to bringing our customers premium products at tremendous value,” says Steve Wilson, SVP of purchasing for Grocery Outlet. “And part of that commitment relies on having access to […]
Recommended: Peter Magowan, Key Leader Of SF Giants And Safeway, Dies
Peter A. Magowan, the charismatic Safeway supermarket magnate and San Francisco Giants owner and executive who fought off relocation of the team and spearheaded construction of their waterfront ballpark, died Sunday afternoon at his home in Pacific Heights. Magowan had been ill for several years, undergoing surgeries for prostate and liver cancer, and had recently […]
Vons Opens Replacement Store On California’s Catalina Island
Vons celebrated the grand opening of its newest store, No. 3280, on Catalina Island, California, Jan. 30. This store, located at 240 Sumner Avenue in Avalon, replaces store No. 2272, which closed Jan. 29. Vons is the only grocery store on the island, located 26 miles off the coast of Southern California, and has been […]
‘Robot Bartender’ Somabar Debuts At Gelson’s In-Store Wine Bars
Somabar, a Los Angeles, California-based startup, is hoping to make it easier and less expensive for foodservice establishments to offer cocktail programs. It’s launching what it says is the world’s first robot bartender created for beer and wine bars and restaurants, starting with its public launch at select Gelson’s Wine Bars. Somabar is operational at […]
True Food Expands True Chef And Chef’d Retail Meal Kit Lines
True Food Innovations, based in Newport Beach, California, is launching new products under both its True Chef and Chef’d branded lines of retail meal kits. The new offerings feature fresh, clean label, preservative-free recipes with 55 days of shelf life. “We are setting the standard for the retail category through innovation, product development and technology; we listened to our […]
WAFC Elects Safeway, Food 4 Less Execs To Its Board
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has elected Kevin Lovell, SVP of operations for Safeway Northern California, and Mike Servold, VP of merchandising for Food 4 Less/Foods Co., to its board of directors during its annual January meeting in La Quinta, California. “We are so excited to welcome two of the most talented grocery […]
Seapoint Farms Introduces Edamame-Based Rice Alternatives
Southern California-based Seapoint Farms is rolling out what it says is the world’s first-ever edamame-based rice substitute, “Riced.” The new frozen Riced products are offered in two varieties: Riced Edamame and Riced Medley, featuring edamame, cauliflower and sweet potato. Riced products will be available beginning in mid-February at leading supermarkets and health food stores nationwide for an MSRP of […]
New Seasons Market Is Changing Its Leadership Structure
New Seasons Market has revealed its new executive leadership structure, which is intended to support the company’s continued investment in staff, customers, partners and local communities. As part of the changes, Co-president Forrest Hoffmaster is assuming the role of CEO, and Co-president Kristi McFarland is taking on the role of chief strategy officer, responsible for […]
Mission Foods Chooses MobileFrame For Direct Store Delivery Technology
Mission Foods, one of the largest food manufacturers in the world, has chosen the Los Gatos, California-based MobileFrame platform to develop the apps used as part of its direct store delivery process. With more than 4,500 drivers who visit at least 30,000 retail stores every day in the United States, Mexico and Central America, Mission […]
Dave’s Killer Bread Launches English Muffins
Milwaukie, Oregon-based Dave’s Killer Bread (DKB) has introduced English muffins to its line, offering two varieties: Killer Classic and Rockin’ Grains. “Consumers are eating breakfast all day…not just in the morning. They want the convenience of breakfast foods combined with clean ingredients for snacking, second breakfast, lunch and dinner,” said Cristina Watson, DKB brand managerd. […]
Manomet Certifies 45 Northern California Whole Foods Market Stores
Plymouth, Massachusetts-based Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program has certified 45 Whole Foods Market stores in Northern California. The GSC works with grocers to engage employees on operational sustainability strategies and to review store-level practices and equipment with an eye to increasing energy efficiency, boosting revenue and lowering costs. “Environmental stewardship is a core value […]
Bob’s Red Mill Enters The Snack Aisle With ‘Bob’s Better Bars’
Forty years after reviving old world-style milling, Bob’s Red Mill is bringing its expertise in whole grain foods to the snack aisle. Bob’s Better Bars combine the company’s signature whole rolled oats with peanut butter and ingredients like honey, chocolate, strawberry and banana to create five chewy bars. The company says the bars are another […]
Alden’s Organic Debuts New Pints, New Look That Reflect Vibrancy of Pacific Northwest
Eugene, Oregon-based Alden’s Organic has created a new line of ice cream pints, which combine the makers’ love of the Pacific Northwest and their passion for ice cream. Attendees at the Winter Fancy Food Show, held Jan. 13-15 in San Francisco, were the first to try the new line, which features organic peanut butter cups, […]
Califia Farms Further Diversifies Plant-Based Offerings With Launch Of New Oatmilk Line
Los Angeles-based Califia Farms, best known for its innovative plant-based beverages in distinctive curvy bottles, has released a new line of oat milks. The new portfolio includes an oat barista blend launching in February and an unsweetened oat milk launching in April. The new oat barista blend joins Califia Farms’ original and unsweetened almond milk barista blends. […]
Rainier Fruit Spreads Holiday Cheer With Donations
The holiday season was a little brighter for some folks in the Yakima, Washington, area thanks to the efforts of Rainier Fruit. As part of its Pears for Pairs national marketing campaign benefiting homeless charities, the staff at Selah, Washington-based Rainier Fruit pitched in to make a difference not just nationally, but also at home. […]
Stater Bros. Promotes Thomas To Group SVP Of Retail Operations
Stater Bros. Markets has promoted Keith Thomas to the position of group SVP–retail operations. In his new position, Thomas will continue to lead the company’s retail operations and training departments, and be responsible for overseeing the entire operations of all 172 Stater Bros. supermarkets. He also will become a member of the company’s executive management […]
