Robert L. Edwards will succeed Steve Burd as CEO when Burd retires on May 14 from Safeway Inc. in Pleasanton, Calif. Edwards, who is president, also will join the company’s board of directors at that time. Burd also holds the chairman’s title. T. Gary Rogers, currently lead independent director on the board, will become non-executive […]
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, Suppliers, West
Inventure To Acquire Berry Processing Biz From Willamette Valley Fruit
Inventure Foods Inc., a leading specialty food marketer and manufacturer, has signed a non-binding letter of intent for the purchase of the berry processing business of Willamette Valley Fruit Co. LLC (WVFC), including building and ground leases. Terms were not disclosed, as the transaction remains subject to completion of due diligence, agreement on a definitive […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Pastry Smart Introduces ‘Miettes de Pain’ Organic Brioche Bread
Pastry Smart LLC has launched its latest organic and American Humane Certified brioche bread, Miettes de Pain. The bread is available in Whole Foods Market stores throughout Northern California and Reno. An exclusive brand for Whole Foods Market, Miettes de Pain is a line of French-inspired handcrafted brioche breads—light, airy and rich with the flavors […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Grocers Advancing Waste Reduction Efforts
Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., is making significant advancements in its ongoing effort to reduce waste and encourage earth-sustaining practices throughout the organization, the Commerce, Calif.-based wholesaler says. As part of Unified’s commitment to being a good steward of the earth while responsibly growing its business, the company has […]
Posted in, National, West
The Independent Impact On The West
In the West, independent grocers provide 178,335 direct jobs, along with $6.4 billion in direct wages. West grocers do $33.2 billion in sales annually and pay approximately $6 billion in taxes. In terms of sales, California brings in the most with $19.7 billion each year, followed by Arizona ($3.6 billion) and Washington State ($3.2 billion). […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Sprouts Opening 35th L.A. Area Store On May 1
The countdown is on in Westwood, a neighborhood in the north-central portion of Los Angeles’ Westside, as Sprouts Farmers Market gets closer to opening its 35th store in the area. The 22,558-s.f. store will open Wednesday, May 1, at 1751 Westwood Blvd., just off Santa Monica Boulevard. “We’re pleased to be moving into such a […]
Posted in, National, West
Fresh & Easy Confirms Exit From U.S.
U.K. retail giant Tesco has confirmed its exit from the U.S., saying earlier today that its Fresh & Easy venture is being treated as a “discontinued operation.” Philip Clarke, Tesco’s chief executive, said “the announcements made today are natural consequences of the strategic changes we first began over a year ago and which conclude today. […]
Posted in, National, West
City Of Hope’s ‘Angels’ Host Another Successful Fashion Show
The City of Hope’s Angels of the Southern California Food Industries Circle hosted its annual fashion show earlier this month, raising $250,000 from key industry sponsors alone. Those title sponsors for the “100 Years of Hope” fashion show and luncheon included PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, QTG-Quaker Tropicana Gatorade, Nestle Purina PetCare and Unilever. Actor and entertainer Florence […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, West
Van Helden Appointed President, COO Of Stater Bros. Markets
Peter Van Helden will become president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets when Jim Lee retires as of June 1. Van Helden is a 36-year veteran of the supermarket industry. Prior to joining Stater Bros., he was EVP of retail operations for Supervalu. Van Helden began his career in 1977, working for Rosauers in Libby, […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Stater Bros. President Announces Retirement
Jim Lee, president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets, plans to retire May 31. He made the announcement Thursday in Pomona, Calif., after being inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) Hall of Achievement. Lee joined San Bernardino-based Stater Bros. Markets as group SVP of retail operations in 2002, bringing to the company […]
Posted in, West
Artichoke Named Official State Vegetable Of California
The artichoke has been named the official state vegetable of California. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement earlier today. California produces 99 percent of the annual U.S. crop of fresh market artichokes. The drive to name the official state food was organized by a radio station in San Francisco and was based on votes […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Grocery Outlet Moving To Long Vacant Nugget Site In Greenhaven Area
Grocery Outlet Inc. has leased a former Nugget Market site in Sacramento’s Greenhaven area. The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the deep-discount grocer will invest nearly $2 million to remodel the 23,000-s.f. building at Florin Road and Riverside Boulevard. The building has been vacant for about a decade—ever since Nugget moved out for a bigger […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Stater Bros. To Break Ground On New Redlands Store This Week
Stater Bros. will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, to celebrate the construction of the company’s newest and most modern supermarket—located in the Redlands Village Shopping Center and being developed by Lewis Retail Centers. The new Redlands Stater Bros. store will be located on the northwest corner of Lugonia and Wabash […]
Posted in, Store News, West
WinCo Plans 800,000-s.f. Phoenix Warehouse
WinCo Foods has delivered nearly $12 million in cash for a west Phoenix lot where it plans to erect an 800,000-s.f. warehouse within the next year and bring about 300 jobs to the Valley, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. According to Business Real Estate Weekly of Arizona, the 74-acre parcel—located at the southwest corner of […]
Posted in, West
California Avocado Season Dawns With Breakfast Promotion
California avocado season has kicked off with the California Avocado Commission’s (CAC) “Wake up to Breakfast with California Avocados” promotion. Morning represents tremendous growth opportunities for avocado consumption, and the commission aims to encourage consumption of California avocados with its breakfast-themed activities, according to a news release. It works very well for spring merchandising events […]
Posted in, Market Profile, West
Innovative Formats, Expansion Projects Lead The Way In The Beaver State
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer “Changing” might be the most appropriate word to describe the Oregon marketplace. From unique store formats to expansions and more, The Beaver State already is seeing signs of transformation early in the new year. Local and health-driven segments take stronger hold in Portland Local Choice Produce Market Local Choice Produce Market […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Center Store, West
Earnest Eats Adds New Granola Bars And Hot & Fit Cereals
Earnest Eats, makers of natural foods rooted in the nourishment of whole, unprocessed ingredients, has added three new choices to its family of products: Earnest Eats Chewy Granola Bars, Hot & Fit Cereal multi-serve canisters and Hot & Fit Cereal single-serve cups. Each blends a unique trio of superfood grains, including whole oats, amaranth and […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Hires New Government Relations Manager
The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Dane Hutchings as its government relations manager, effective immediately. In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Haggen Closing Federal Way, Wash., TOP Foods Store
Haggen Inc. is closing its TOP Food & Drug store in Federal Way, Wash., in April, the company said earlier this week. The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that the closure whittles the Bellingham, Wash.-based chain to 27 supermarkets in Washington and Oregon operating under the TOP Food & Drug and Haggen Food & Pharmacy […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Costco Plans To Expand Headquarters In Issaquah, Wash.
The Puget Sound Business Journal is reporting that Costco Wholesale Corp. is negotiating with city officials in Issaquah, Wash., to add as much as 1.5 million s.f. to its corporate headquarters through a new development agreement, according to Keith Niven, Issaquah’s economic development director. “They are trying to chart a path for their future,” Niven […]