C&K Market is previewing what customers can expect in the future as it emerged from bankruptcy Aug. 10. “We’ve been in the stores, talking with customers and identifying how we can serve them even better,” said Karl Wissmann, C&K Market’s president. “With bankruptcy behind us, we’re in a position to enhance our stores. Customers can […]
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, National, West
Unified Grocers Reports Sales Growth, Operating Income Improvement
Unified Grocers this week reported improved sales and operating income for its third quarter of fiscal year 2014 ended June 28 and for the year to date. The Commerce, Calif.-based wholesaler reported gross billings of $2.882 billion for the year, compared to gross billings of $2.778 billion for the same period last year (a 3.7 […]
Posted in, West
Memorial Services For Produce Pioneers Upcoming
Two pioneers of the western produce industry passed away over the weekend, just one day apart. Mr. Ed Baloian, patriarch of Baloian Farms of Fresno, Calif., a grower of peppers and mixed vegetables, died Saturday at the age of 92. He had suffered health problems over the last few years but had been at the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, West
Napa Valley Harvest Begins Today
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association reports that the first of Napa Valley’s sparkling wine producers begin picking grapes today, two days earlier than the start of last year’s wine grape harvest. Although this past winter was one of the driest on record, Napa’s vintners and growers are predicting an abundant, high-quality harvest for […]
Posted in, National, West
Memorial Service For Produce Industry Veteran Tim Warren This Weekend
Mr. Timothy Wayne Warren, a produce industry veteran, died July 15 in Corona, Calif., due to heart complications. He was 55. A memorial service will be held this weekend. Mr. Warren was well known and respected within the produce community and was working in sales for Great West Produce Co. at the time of his […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Whole Foods Endorses Oregon’s GMO Labeling Campaign
Whole Foods Market is backing Oregon’s Measure 92, requiring mandatory labeling of raw and packaged foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) by Jan. 1, 2016. More than 155,000 Oregonians signed a petition to put Measure 92 on the ballot this November. “At Whole Foods Market, we believe consumers have a fundamental right to know what’s […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Whole Foods To Open Second Berkeley Store This Fall
A new 47,800-s.f. Whole Foods Market store will open Nov. 4 at 10th and Gilman streets in Berkeley, Calif. The store will be Whole Foods’ second location in Berkeley and the 41st in the Northern California region. The Austin, Texas-based grocer has named Jen Monaco as the Berkeley store’s team leader. In this role, Monaco is […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Educational Foundation Receives Landmark Donation
The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation has received a record donation from the California Independent Grocers Association (CIGA) that will significantly expand the funding of college scholarships, tuition reimbursement and industry educational opportunities for independent grocer members of CGA and their dependents. The $403,000 gift was the result of the recent merger between CIGA and […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Newport Ave. Market’s Annual Charitable Golf Tourney Is Next Week
In its second year honoring the legacy of the Rude Rudy’s Golf Tournament and its commitment to feeding the hungry in Central Oregon, Newport Avenue Market’s Go Golf! Tournament participants will hit the links at Broken Top Golf Club in Bend on Tuesday, July 22. Proceeds will benefit the Hunger Prevention Coalition (HPC) of Central […]
Posted in, Grocery News, New Products, Organic Natural, West
La Tourangelle Launches First Artisan Cooking Spray Oil
Adding to its repertoire of gourmet oils, La Tourangelle, the company that utilizes a 150-year-old traditional production method with its artisan mill in Woodland, Calif., introduced its spray oils set July 15. Finding a gap in the market for a healthy, propellant-free, all-natural spray oil product, La Tourangelle CEO Matthieu Kohlmeyer said he decided it […]
Posted in, West
California Cantaloupe Board Debuts Summer Consumer Sweepstakes
The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board’s Summertime Yum & Cantaloupe Fun online sweepstakes promotion is now under way and is designed to draw more people to the organization’s website and social media properties. Last year the California cantaloupe industry established a new mandatory food safety program and launched an on-line education effort designed to increase confidence […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, West
Memorial Service For Albertsons’ Dave Simonson To Be Held In September
A celebration of life for Mr. Dave Simonson, former president of Albertsons Southern California region, will be held in September. Mr. Simonson died in late June following a battle with dementia. He was in his mid-60s. “Dave fought a very tough fight,” his wife Cathie says, “waking up each day with a smile on his […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Bristol Farms Golf Tourney Raises $55K For City Of Hope
More than 270 golfers took to the links at Pacific Palms Golf Resort in the City of Industry last month to support the “2014 Friends of Bristol Farms Golf Tournament” and the City of Hope. This year’s event marked the 20th anniversary of the tournament and the 10th year of City of Hope being the […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Lucky’s Market Will Open First Wyoming Store Early Next Year
Lucky’s Market plans to open its first Wyoming store in Jackson Hole in early 2015. The 11,500-s.f. store will employ about 100 people and be located at 974 W. Broadway, bringing a wide selection of organic, specialty and gluten-free items to the popular mountain town. “We are excited to bring reasonably priced healthy foods to […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Judge Signs Off On C&K Market Bankruptcy Emergence Plan, Grocer Reveals New Initiatives
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank R. Alley III signed an order Monday confirming C&K Market’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy, which allows the company to operate without the court’s supervision. “As we look to the future, we’re excited to implement several new programs. We’ll begin by taking care of our customers by providing them with healthier […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, West
Former Albertsons SoCal Division President Passes Away
Mr. Dave Simonson, former president of Albertsons Southern California region, died this week. He was in his mid-60s. His obituary was unavailable at the time of this report. “I really enjoyed calling on Dave back in the day…what a fine gentleman,” Willie Crocker of Bimbo Bakeries said in an email. Cheryl Kennick of City of […]
Posted in, National, West
Klugs Get Good News About CF Clinical Trials
Unified Grocers’ Sue Klug and her teenage daughter Shelby, who suffers with cystic fibrosis, have been longtime supporters of the CF community. Their family has helped host countless fundraisers and raise generous funds for the Southern California chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (read more about their efforts here). The Klugs and other Cystic Fibrosis […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
La Tortilla Factory Appoints Jeff Ahlers President, CEO
La Tortilla Factory is shifting its top management roles, hiring Jeff Ahlers as president and CEO after a lengthy search process led by the Tamayo family and the Santa Rosa, Calif.-based company’s board of directors. Sam Tamayo, who has been La Tortilla Factory’s CEO for two years, has been promoted to vice chairman and chief […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Fresh & Easy Reintroduces Itself To Customers With Marketing Campaign
Fresh & Easy this week launched a full-scale marketing campaign inviting customers to discover an all-new Fresh & Easy. Since transferring to new ownership in November, the company says it has reinvigorated the brand and its stores with the aim of being the anytime, anyway, anywhere solution for getting healthy, convenient and affordable food. The […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros.’ Riverside Replacement Store Opens Next Week
Stater Bros. will open its Riverside, Calif., replacement store Wednesday, June 25. The new 44,000-s.f. store is 80 percent larger than the current Riverside store, which will close June 24. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 8:15 a.m. and the supermarket will open for business at 9 a.m. The new store at 2841 Mary St. […]