The Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) will host its annual Excellence in Leadership Awards Banquet on Oct. 17 at the Phoenix Downtown Sheraton. AFMA has been hosting this event since 1965. This year’s ceremony will honor Jim Nielsen, COO of Sprouts Farmers Market, as the Retailer of the Year; Paul Ratner, off-premise general sales manager […]
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 in, Store News, West
Smart & Final Opens 200th Store
Smart & Final opened its 200th store Thursday at 644 Redondo Avenue in Long Beach, California. The opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials. The Los Angeles-based company says the milestone represents its continued growth and commitment to meeting modern consumer shopping needs, as well as its rich history and deep […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros., LifeStream Blood Bank Partner For Drive That Begins Monday
Stater Bros. is partnering with LifeStream Blood Bank in an ongoing effort to boost local, life-saving blood reserves. Each month, San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. hosts blood drives at selected supermarkets. For October, blood drives will be held at the following Stater Bros. Supermarket locations: • Oct. 6, 11365 Bryant St., Yucaipa, 1-6 p.m. • Oct. 13, […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Industry News, Store News, West
Calif. Governor Signs Landmark Carryout Bag Legislation
After years of work, California grocers scored a major victory Tuesday with Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature on Senate Bill 270—a measure that creates a consistent, statewide standard for regulation of carryout bags. More than 120 local jurisdictions have enacted their own regulatory schemes, many with slight variations. The patchwork has become confusing for grocery retailers […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Store News, West
CGA’s Fong Pleased With Strategic Conference 2014
Ron Fong, president and CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), spoke with The Shelby Report’s VP-West, Bob Reeves, during the CGA Strategic Conference Sept. 21-23. It was the conference’s third year in Palm Springs, and “I think it’s the best one this year,” Fong said. “A little over 850 attendees, which is better than […]
Posted in, Albertsons, West
Stukenberg Named Retail Marketing Director At CAC
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced Tuesday that produce veteran Connie Stukenberg has returned to the commission staff full-time as retail marketing director. Stukenberg, who had worked on CAC’s merchandising staff from 2000-09, then continued her affiliation with the commission as part of her own business consultancy, CS Sales and Marketing for Results. She rejoined […]
Posted in, West
CGAEF, Cal Poly State Partner To Bolster Grocery Workforce
In a historic partnership to strengthen California’s future grocery industry workforce, the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) has committed to provide scholarships, internship stipends and professional development opportunities to Cal Poly’s Agribusiness Food Retail Management Program (CPAFRM) for the 2015-16 academic year. “By partnering with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), we can provide […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Organic Natural, West
Natural Grocers Will Open Eighth Oregon Store In Eugene Sept. 23
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will open its eighth Oregon location in Eugene on Sept. 23 at 201 Coburg Rd. “Natural Grocers is excited to introduce itself to the Eugene community, where lifestyle and healthy living intersect for residents in so many different ways,” said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers. “We know Eugene residents […]
Posted in, Perishables, Suppliers, West
Ruby Fresh Jewels Qualify As 2014 PMA Impact Award Finalist
Attracting 67 entries from 56 companies, Ruby Fresh Jewels Grab-N-Go Pomegranate Aril cups are among 20 products that have been selected as finalists for the 2014 PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Packaging. Winners will be announced at the PMA Fresh Summit on Friday, Oct. 17. The 2014 PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Packaging is a […]
Posted in, National, West
L.A. Mayor Seeks Hourly Minimum Wage Increase
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said this week that he would be pushing a major proposal for a citywide increase in the hourly minimum wage, according to the California Grocers Association (CGA). For the past few weeks his office has been in contact with Los Angles area business groups to circulate his plan. The proposal […]
Posted in, Store News, West
New San Jose Whole Foods To Feature Grocer’s First In-Store Brewery In Calif.
A new 35,000-s.f. Whole Foods Market store will open Dec. 10 at 777 The Alameda (at Stockton) in San Jose, Calif. This is the second Whole Foods Market location in San Jose, and the 42nd in Northern California. The store will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to San Jose and feature the Austin, Texas-based […]
Posted in, Health & Wellness, Organic Natural, West
Dave’s Killer Bread Line Earns Non-GMO Project Verification
Dave’s Killer Bread (DKB) has achieved Non-GMO Project verification for all its 13 varieties of organic breads. DKB uses no artificial ingredients, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. The Oregon-based company is the No.1-selling organic bread maker in the U.S. Packaging on all products, including DKB’s popular 21 Whole Grains and Seeds, Blues Bread and […]
Posted in, C-Store News, West
Circle K Constructing New Prototype Store In SoCal
Circle K, a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., recently broke ground on a new prototype store in Southern California. The 4,500-s.f. convenience store will be located at the corner of Sanderson and Esplanade avenues in San Jacinto. It willl feature a Mobil gas station with eight fuel pumps and a self-serve car wash. The new […]
Posted in, National, West
Calif. Assembly Passes Bill Moving State Closer To Uniform Plastic Bag Ban
The Yes on SB 270 Coalition hailed the California Assembly’s historic approval Thursday of Senate Bill 270, moving California one step closer to a landmark law banning single-use plastic carryout bags statewide. SB 270 is supported by dozens of groups representing a spectrum of sectors, including environment, organized labor, business organizations, grocers, retailers, poverty rights […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
New Name For Pro’s Ranch Markets Revealed
CNG Ranch LLC—a partnership between California-based Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Markets—says that Pro’s Ranch Markets will be renamed and branded Los Altos Ranch Market beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3. CNG Ranch utilized local Pro’s Ranch customers and employees in their research to determine the new name. Los Altos is a recognized region in Mexico where both […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Food 4 Less Reaches Tentative Agreement With SoCal Unions
Food 4 Less/Foods Co stores, a division of The Kroger Co., has reached a tentative agreement with the seven Southern California United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals. The agreement is fully recommended and covers more than 6,000 associates working at 100 Food 4 Less stores in SoCal. The new agreement includes wage increases, quality, […]
Posted in, West
Mann Packing Adds Billingsley To Retail Sales Team
Terence Billingsley has joined the retail sales team at Mann Packing Co. Billingsley most recently was at Unilever where he was the Safeway customer business manager. His prior experience includes VP of sales at Promoworks where he worked with the Safeway marketing team to shape the in-store experience for all Safeway stores. He also led the business for […]
Posted in, National, West
USC Marshall Unveils Newly Innovated Food Industry Executive Program
To effectively lead their organizations in a rapidly changing business environment, food industry executives need to stay ahead of challenges like technology advances and globalization while elevating their leadership and management skills. That’s one reason the USC Marshall School of Business has revamped its Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP). FIEP provides an innovative resource for […]
Posted in, National, West
Calif. Plastic Bag Ban Passes Major Hurdle, Heads To Assembly Floor
A bill that would ban single-use plastic bags and place a 10-cent charge on recyclable paper bags passed the California Assembly Appropriations Committee with resounding support last week and now heads to the Assembly floor for consideration. Senate Bill 270, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Kevin de Leon and Sen. Ricardo Lara, is supported […]
Posted in, Marketing News, West
California Avocado Commission Expands Marketing Of Breakfast Campaign
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has extended its program promoting the use of California avocados at breakfast with retail support materials, public relations outreach featuring registered dietitians spokespersons and digital media. Participating retailers have distributed a recipe booklet titled “Wake up to Breakfast” featuring simple, produce-rich recipes and nutrition information. In addition to being merchandised […]