House Foods America Corp., subsidiary of House Foods Corp. Japan, has completed its acquisition of El Burrito Mexican Food Products Inc., a leading healthy Mexican food brand based in City of Industry, Calif. The transaction includes substantially all of the assets of the company, which will be renamed El Burrito Mexican Foods Products Corp., and […]
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
Raley’s, Union Returning To Contract Negotiations
After a week of a strike and picketing at Raley’s and Nob Hill stores, the grocery chain and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union have announced a return to contract negotiations, the Sacramento Business Journal reports. In a Sunday announcement, West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s said both sides have agreed not to talk about […]
Posted in, West
Frieda’s Hosts Produce Retailers From India
Retailers from India recently made a stop at Frieda’s Inc. to get an insider perspective on the operation side of a wholesale specialty produce company. The tour consisted of 10 retailers who represented Walmart, Tesco and Metro Markets in India. They were in town for their first experience of PMA Fresh Summit, held late last […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Safeway Reaches Tentative Agreement With NorCal UFCW Locals
Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway Inc. has reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Locals 5, 8 and 648 representing the company’s employees in Northern California. The new agreement will be recommended for ratification by the local unions to their members. “This new agreement provides our […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Lazy Acres Hosts Big Grand Opening For New Long Beach Store
More than 300 customers waited in a line that wrapped around the newest Lazy Acres store in Long Beach, Calif., on Wednesday in anticipation of the grocer’s grand opening. “We’re real excited about the turnout that we’ve had for the grand opening,” Kevin Davis, president and CEO of Bristol Farms, which owns the Lazy Acres […]
Posted in, National, West
Prop 37 Defeated: California Voters Say No To GMO Labeling Proposal
Proposition 37, which would have required labeling of genetically modified foods, was soundly defeated Tuesday in California, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The measure trailed 53 percent to 47 percent with nearly 90 percent of the vote counted at 3:30 a.m. (PT) Proposition 37 advocates relied on social media and a strong grass-roots campaign […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros. Super Rx Pharmacies Offering Free Antibiotics
Stater Bros. Supermarkets’ 27 Super Rx Pharmacies throughout Southern California on Nov. 1 began offering free antibiotics based on a 14-day eligible quantity. This includes refills to anyone with or without health insurance coverage who presents a prescription. Five different classes of antibiotics are available, including: • Amoxicillin (Generic for Amoxil); • Ampicillin; • Ciprofloxacin […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Foods Co. To Build New Store In East Oakland
Foods Co. plans to start construction on an 80,000-s.f. new store in Foothill Square in Oakland, the San Francisco Business Times reports. The store at 10790 MacArthur Blvd. will be the supermarket’s first store in Oakland. It plans to finish construction in the summer of 2013. Foods Co., a division of Kroger Co., made plans […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Natural Grocers Opens New Store In Missoula, Mont.
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage opened its 60th store Tuesday with its newest location in Missoula, Mont. The Missoula store at 2530 South 3rd St. West is the company’s second Montana location, after opening in Billings over the summer. Natural Grocers is a grocery chain based in Colorado that offers only natural and organic products, […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Metropolitan’s Borracchini Earns Wash. Best Bagger Title For 2nd Year
Andrew Borracchini, an 18-year-old grocery bagger from West Seattle’s Metropolitan Market has bagged the championship in the Washington State Best Bagger competition for the second year in a row. He competed and won against 11 other contestants from across the state for the $1,500 cash prize and an all-expense paid trip to compete at the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, New Products, West
Celebs Help Launch New Wellness Beverage
The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel was nothing short of a star-studded evening earlier this month as some of Hollywood’s top entertainers, professional athletes and musicians came together to celebrate the launch of the Mr. Pink Ginseng Drink, a new wellness beverage. The streets of Wilshire and the famous Rodeo Drive were covered with fans waiting […]
Posted in, National, West
CF Cycle For Life Increases Donations By 167 Percent
Hundreds of cyclists rode in the 2nd annual Aptalis CF Cycle for Life earlier this month, raising $120,000 for cystic fibrosis research—a 167 percent increase in fundraising from last year. “The great success we experienced this year was due to the support of our sponsors—Bristol Farms, Smart & Final, Harley Marine, SmartWater, Unified Grocers, Sara […]
Posted in, National, West
NEW SoCal Hosts Workshop Event
The Network of Executive Women Southern California recently held its workshop and networking event: “The Corporate Athlete.” The workshop was held at the Pacific Palms Hotel and Conference Center in the City of Industry, Calif. In the featured photo at top: Subriana Pierce, Navigator Sales & Marketing; and Kathy Smith, Chiquita Brands North America. (Find […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Lazy Acres Coming To Long Beach
Lazy Acres plans to open its second store in Long Beach, Calif., in early November. The original Santa Barbara Lazy Acres store opened in 1991. The store is located at 2080 Bellflower Blvd., at the corner of N. Bellflower Boulevard and E. Stearns Street. “Lazy Acres is committed to being your natural choice for wholesome, […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Lucky, Save Mart Supermarkets Roll Out Promotion For Halloween
Modesto, Calif.-based Lucky and Save Mart Supermarket Facebook fans are going to “like” the new Candy vs. Candy tournament and sweepstakes, which runs through the end of the month, according to the company. Each week, two well-known candies will face off in order to see who is more likable according to the Lucky and Save […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Hosts ‘Retail Renaissance’ During Strategic Conference
The California Grocers Association held its Strategic Conference at the Palm Spring Convention Center on Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The conference’s theme was “California’s Retail Renaissance” with a focus on exploring California retail’s new creative and innovative spirit. Attendees learned about the customer shifts taking hold in the Golden State and their affect on California’s diversity […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros. Charities’ Annual ‘Believe Walk’ This Weekend
This year will mark the fifth year of support, awareness and celebration for local cancer-fighting organizations located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. On Sunday, Oct. 7, in downtown Redlands, the annual Believe Walk will kick off to a crowd of more than 12,000 participants including walkers, volunteers and public supporters. In four […]
Posted in, West
Fresh Produce Industry Convention Focuses On Attracting Consumers
In the midst of a growing wave of public policy and consumer preference emphasizing healthful, high-quality food choices, the world’s fresh produce industry will strategize how to increase consumption and better appeal to children when it gathers in Anaheim, Calif., for the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 2012 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, Oct. 26-28. […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
New Seasons CEO Leaving To Create Healthy Convenience Store Chain
The Oregonian reports that Lisa Sedlar is leaving her post as chief executive at New Seasons Market with plans to infuse her strong beliefs about food grown, raised or produced locally to another grocery format: the convenience store. Sedlar envisions a chain of small neighborhood stores stocked with healthy options, such as locally cured salami […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Ralphs To Pay $1.1M In Overcharging Claim
Ralphs Grocery Co. will pay more than $1.1 million in civil penalties, costs and restitution to settle allegations that it overcharged customers for deli and other weighted food products, LA. Biz reports. The settlement, approved Thursday by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, calls for Ralphs to pay $1 million in civil penalties, with $500,000 […]