Associated Food Stores (AFS) has added GoSpotCheck by FORM to its retail technology portfolio, deploying the mobile task management platform across its cooperative network of more than 450 independent supermarkets and 41 corporate stores. The move is part of AFS’s ongoing digital transformation and its increased focus on store-level data capture and merchandising execution. The […]
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.
Natural Grocers Plans New Store In Rock Springs, WY
Natural Grocers has announced plans this spring to open a new store in Rock Springs, Wyoming, marking the retailer’s third location in the state. The location is slated for White Mountain Mall, a community hub known for its mix of retail and dining. Natural Grocers said the store will offer its full assortment of groceries, […]
Food City Celebrates Annual Tamale-Making Contest In Phoenix, AZ
Food City brought together home cooks, cultural traditions and the community for its 23rd Annual Tamale Making Contest, celebrating the heritage of Sonoran cuisine and the role of food in family gatherings during the holiday season. Held at Food City’s location in South Phoenix, Arizona, the annual event is inspired by tamaladas – traditional gatherings […]
California Pear Farmers Seek Relief From Surging Imports
California pear farmers are fighting for survival as a surge of low-priced pear imports from Argentina continues to flood the U.S. market each year just as the domestic harvest begins. Industry leaders are in discussions with staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to find relief from a situation they say has […]
Kent’s Market, AFS, Community Partners Donate $74K To Shriners
Kent’s Market, together with Swire Coca-Cola, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and other community partners, donated more than $74,000 to Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City. The donation was presented Dec. 9 at a holiday event at the hospital, where retailers and partners spent time visiting with patients and families and learning more about the specialized pediatric […]
The Save Mart Companies Adds Amazon Return Kiosk Program
The Save Mart Companies has introduced Amazon return kiosks across its Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx banners, offering customers a way to return eligible Amazon purchases at its stores in California and western Nevada. After a pilot program in 15 stores, the service has expanded to 140 additional locations and will be available at […]
AFS’ Sam Patch Celebrates Grand Opening In Wellsville, UT
Associated Food Stores (AFS) recently celebrated the grand opening of a new 23,000-square-foot Sam Patch convenience store at 825 E. Main St. in Wellsville, Utah. Owned by Mike Baldwin of Wellsville and Jason Hurd of Tremonton, the store offers fresh food, groceries and fuel for residents in the southern part of Cache Valley. The site […]
Gelson’s Markets Sells SoCal Store To Ralphs
Gelson’s Markets has reached an agreement with Ralphs to sell its La Costa store in Carlsbad, California, with ownership and operations expected to transfer March 9. Gelson’s said the store, which it has operated for 10 years, has faced ongoing financial challenges for some time and remains unprofitable despite continued efforts to improve performance. The […]
Albertsons Opens Applications For Innovation Launchpad Competition
Albertsons Cos. has opened submissions for its fourth annual Innovation Launchpad Competition, inviting emerging food, beverage and pet brands to apply for the chance to bring new products to market and connect with the retailer’s merchandising teams. The annual program – which debuted in 2022 – is designed to spotlight early-stage brands and help them […]
Cuties Launches New Mandarin Marketing Campaign
Pasadena, California-based Sun Pacific has launched a new marketing campaign for its Cuties brand as the company looks to build on momentum in the mandarin category heading into the season. The campaign, titled “Irresistibly Cute,” highlights Cuties’ attributes – sweetness, convenience and family appeal – with a playful tone. Cuties was the first mandarin brand […]
CGA Names Superior Grocers’ President, CEO Wardwell As Board Chair
The California Grocers Association has named Richard Wardwell, president and CEO at Superior Grocers, as chairman of its board of directors. Wardwell, who succeeds North State Grocery Chief Administrative Officer Michel LeClerc, will lead the board’s strategy for CGA’s legislative, educational and industry-related programs over the next year. Wardwell spearheads Superior Grocers’ business strategy and […]
Gelson’s Markets Launches Artisanal Cheese Boxes
Gelson’s Markets is expanding its reach beyond Southern California with the launch of nationwide shipping for its artisanal cheese boxes, allowing customers across the continental U.S. to order the grocer’s curated specialty food offerings. The supermarket chain said the program brings its in-store cheese expertise to a broader audience through a selection of gourmet collections. […]
Uber Eats Expands Regional Grocery, Alcohol Selection With New Retailers
Uber Eats has expanded regional grocery and alcohol offerings with the addition of three retailer partners – Stater Bros. Markets, Kowalski’s Markets and Big Red Liquors – broadening access to grocery and beverage delivery in key U.S. markets. The new partnerships mark continued growth for Uber’s retail and grocery business in 2025, a year in […]
Vallarta Supermarkets, Evermore Partner On Benefit Card Integration
Vallarta Supermarkets has partnered with health benefits technology provider evermore to expand access to culturally relevant products for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial program members at the grocer’s locations across California. The integration marks the first time Vallarta, one of California’s largest Latino-owned grocery chains, has joined a health benefit card platform. Its inclusion in […]
Albertsons Media Collective Introduces Inaugural Alby Awards
Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos., has introduced the Alby Awards to recognize advertising partners that delivered the strongest return on ad spend (ROAS) via the network’s platform in 2025. Winners were evaluated using a standardized framework that measured aggregated ROAS performance across each advertiser’s brands throughout the year. […]
Vallarta Supermarkets Commemorates 40th Anniversary
Vallarta Supermarkets is celebrating its 40th anniversary and evolution from 1985 as a single carnicería in Van Nuys, California, into a large independent grocer with 63 locations across the state. For four decades, Vallarta has been more than a grocery store – it has been a cultural hub for generations of families seeking authentic ingredients […]
First Sprouts Farmers Market In NY To Open At End Of January
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market plans to officially enter the New York grocery market Jan. 30 with a store opening at 1930 Middle Country Road in Centereach on Long Island. Sprouts says it will offer “a shopping experience rooted in freshness, quality and wellness to the local community.” The store also is creating 92 full- and part-time […]
The Save Mart Companies Award $201K In Feeding Forward Grants
The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 Feeding Forward grants, awarding $201,000 to four California and Nevada food organizations. The grants focus on addressing infrastructure needs at food banks that handle retail recovery food items. Recipients include Central California Food Bank ($100,000), Second Harvest of the Greater Valley ($50,000), […]
Grocery Outlet Embarks On Informed Store Refresh
Improving the in-store experience as well as product mix and inventory levels have been guiding decisions at Grocery Outlet this year. President and CEO Jason Potter, who has been at the helm of the Emeryville, California-based grocer since Feb. 3, outlined Grocery Outlet’s priorities during a Nov. 4 earnings call covering third-quarter results. “We’ve spent […]
Central Oregon Grocers Match $32.5K In Donations For Food Banks
Three employee-owned grocery stores in Central Oregon have launched their annual Food for February fundraiser, matching customer donations dollar-for-dollar up to $32,500 to support local food banks during a critical time of year. Newport Avenue Market, Oliver Lemon’s and Ollie’s Kitchen are collecting donations at checkout throughout December to benefit Family Kitchen and Sisters Kiwanis […]
