Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., held the first of three regional SMART (Sales, Marketing And Retail Technology) Shows last week in Norwalk, Calif. The shows were created exclusively for the wholesaler’s independent retail customers. The new, day-long event showcased the latest in technology and cutting-edge marketing programs that are […]
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
Cardenas, Northgate Gonzalez Come Together To Purchase Pro’s Ranch Markets
Two well-known Southern California-based Hispanic retailers—Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Markets—said this morning they have come together and reached an agreement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase Phoenix, Ariz.-based Pro’s Ranch Markets, which has seven stores in Arizona, two in New Mexico and two in Texas, for $55 million. The two retailers recently formed […]
Posted in, Suppliers, West
GoGo squeeZ Plans $85M Manufacturing Facility In Idaho
Materne North America—the makers of GoGo squeeZ Applesauce On the Go—plans to make an $85 million investment in a new food processing facility that will create a minimum of 230 new jobs in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. The new state-of-the-art facility—the company’s second U.S. location—will be housed at a site formerly owned by Micron Technology Inc., at […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Unified Names Bergmann, Murphy To New Leadership Roles
Unified Grocers’ board of directors announced two EVP appointments on Tuesday. Leon Bergmann was named EVP of sales and procurement, and Dan Murphy was named EVP of fresh programs and manufacturing. Bergmann has served as SVP of sales since joining Unified in December 2012. In addition to responsibility for sales and service functions across all […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Newport Avenue Market Astounds Feeding Agency With Donation
Newport Avenue Market in Bend, Ore., is celebrating a mission accomplished: The company’s “Food for February” campaign held in December resulted in a fresh food donation that will produce 5,000 meals per month for nearly five months. The December campaign raised $12,668.24 from customer donations. Inspired by that level of generosity from its shoppers, Newport […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros. Helps Salvation Army Raise $528K For Red Kettle Campaign
Stater Bros. helped The Salvation Army raise more than $528,000 this past holiday season. During the months of November and December, all 167 Stater Bros. supermarket locations in Southern California hosted the iconic Salvation Army bell-ringers at their stores. “I always tell my employees to do the right thing for the right reason,” said Jack […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Stater Bros. Promotes Ciraulo To VP Of Meat Division
John Ciraulo has been promoted to VP of the Meat Division at Stater Bros. Markets. Ciraulo will replace Kevin Schubert, who will retire in March after more than 39 years of service. Ciraulo has been a member of the Stater Bros. family for more than 28 years and has progressed through a range of both […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Store News, West
Save Mart Names Store Manager Of The Year
Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, Maxx Value Foods and FoodMaxx stores have honored George Bettencourt, manager of Save Mart in Ceres, Calif., with the Nicholas J. Tocco Store Manager of the Year Award. This is the 20th year of the company’s award. “George Bettencourt is a top-rate store manager. He has demonstrated a continuous commitment […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Report: Bankrupt Mi Pueblo Evaluating Possible Sale Or Financial Lifeline
San Jose, Calif.-based grocery chain Mi Pueblo Foods, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last July, has asked for court permission to hire investment bankers as it seeks a financial lifeline or a possible sale of the company. The Silicon Valley Business Journal reports that Mi Pueblo wants to retain Piper Jaffray, the Minneapolis-based […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Donating $54K, Time To Hospital For Three Kings Day
Vallarta Supermarkets is celebrating the 2nd annual Three Kings Day (Dia de Reyes) with patients, families and staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles today. Vallarta staff is joining in the festivities by dressing as the Three Kings and bringing toys for patients. Additionally, the grocer is bringing its traditional Rosca de Reyes (traditional sweet bread in […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Gelson’s Parent To Sell To TPG Investment Firm For $394M
Arden Group Inc., parent of Gelson’s Markets, an operator of 17 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by TPG, the global private investment firm, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $394 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Arden Group’s shareholders will receive $126.50 […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Save Mart, Lucky And FoodMaxx Will Match ‘Holiday Shares’ Donations
Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx on Saturday will match donations to local Bay Area, and Monterey and Santa Cruz County, Feeding America-affiliated food banks through their “Holiday Shares” program, for a total dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $5,000 for the day. This initiative could not come at a more critical time for local food […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Sales Up, Earnings Down At Stater Bros. For 4Q And Fiscal 2013
Stater Bros. has reported its sales and earnings results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2013 year ended Sept. 29. Fourth quarter fiscal 2013 sales were $960.4 million, an increase of $3.2 million, or 0.33 percent, compared to normalized 13-week 2012 fourth quarter sales. Fiscal 2013 sales were $3.9 billion, an increase of $54.4 million, […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Reports $17M Loss For Fiscal 2013
Unified Grocers Inc. has released its results for the fiscal year ended Sept. 28. The Los Angeles-based cooperative reported gross billings of $3.743 billion and net sales of $3.692 billion, a decrease of 1.4 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively, compared to the prior fiscal year ended Sept. 29, 2012. The company reported a net loss […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Stater Bros. Charities Donates $53K To Toys For Tots
For the ninth year in a row, Stater Bros. has helped to spread cheer through the local Toys for Tots program. Stater Bros. Charities, the charitable arm of Stater Bros. Markets, presented a $53,624 check to representatives from the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program earlier this week. This year’s check was more than […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Two Promoted At Ralphs
Kenny Kimball, VP of merchandising for The Kroger Co.’s Ralphs division in Southern California, has been named VP of operations for Ralphs. He replaces Steve McKinney, who recently was promoted to president of Kroger’s Fry’s division in Phoenix, Ariz. With Kimball’s move to operations, Valerie Jabbar, VP of merchandising for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division, will move […]
Posted in, International Foods, Store News, West
Vons Reopens Pavilions Store In Arcadia, Includes ‘Asian Zone’
After four months of construction and merchandising enhancements, Vons is celebrating the grand reopening of its Pavilions banner store in Arcadia. Located at 745 E. Naomi St. in the Arcadia Hub Shopping Center, the newly remodeled Pavilions—which has served the community since 1969—has incorporated specialized areas into its floor plan for added customer convenience. In […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, West
Unified Selects Nielsen As Analytics Provider
Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., has selected Nielsen as its analytics and insights provider. Under the terms of the contract, Nielsen will provide Unified with data analytics tools for the exclusive use of its retail partners. “Unified is pleased to work with Nielsen,” says Sue Klug, SVP and chief […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Newport Avenue Hosting Food For February Fundraiser Through Dec. 31
February is one of the hardest-hitting months for hungry families in Central Oregon, which is why Newport Avenue Market is again hosting Food for February. The fundraiser began Dec. 1. The campaign held its first drive last year and the grocers’ customers donated $4,025, an amount Newport Avenue matched. Working with Unified Grocers, Newport Avenue […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, West
State Of The West: Region Marked By Shakeup In 2013
A number of big stories came out of the western states in 2013. Many of them involved companies having to regroup and/or sell off their holdings, but there were a couple of bright spots as well, including new banners and strong performance. Below are the top 10 most noteworthy as reported by The Shelby Report […]