A federal judge has ruled that a long-delayed class-action lawsuit against Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco Wholesale Corp. alleging gender discrimination in the retailer’s promotion and management practices can proceed, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports. In his 86-page decision earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen said the plaintiffs’ attorneys could proceed with discovery in […]
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, West
FirstFruits Of Washington Introduces New ‘Sweetie’ Apple Variety
With the start of fall, apples are showing up in the produce aisle in a big way. Sweetie, an intensely sweet and crunchy new apple variety from FirstFruits of Washington, will be making an appearance at retail this month. First planted in New Zealand, Sweetie is now grown in Washington State by Broetje Orchards and […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Market Profile, West
‘Getting Better’: Spirits Up Among Utah Retailers
[gn_note color=”#66cc66″] The 2012 Utah Profile originally ran in the September 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the West. [/gn_note] by Kristen Cloud/staff writer It’s little wonder Utah recently was ranked the most liveable U.S. state of the future, based on a survey of its citizens and community leaders. With The Beehive State’s unemployment […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Organic Alliance Signs $2.2M Produce Supply Contract
Organic Alliance Inc., a California-based global grower and marketer of fresh, organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables, has signed an organic produce supply contract—with renewal options—that it expects will generate at least $2.2 million in sales revenue over the next 12 months. This brings to $11.5 million the total value of new supply contracts […]
Posted in, West
Celebrity Chefs To Showcase Calif. Avocado Recipes At Fresh Summit
How do you top an award-winning performance by a celebrity chef at PMA’s Fresh Summit? You bring two celebrity chefs, according to the California Avocado Commission (CAC). The CAC has put together a plan for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit, to be held Oct. 26-28 in Anaheim, Calif., designed to deliver an informative […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Testifies On GMO Labeling
California Grocers Association President Ronald K. Fong testified before a California Legislative Joint Informational Hearing on Thursday, telling legislators that a controversial initiative on the November ballot would create a litigation nightmare for grocery retailers if approved by voters. In testimony before the Senate Committee and the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Fong said Proposition 37, […]
Posted in, National, West
Tony’s Fine Foods Acquires Food Distributor
West Sacramento-based food distributor Tony’s Fine Foods has acquired Portland-area company Ideal Food Products. The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Tony’s is acquiring the assets of Ideal to begin operations in the Pacific Northwest out of Ideal’s Ridgefield, Wash., facility just north of Portland. The third-generation […]
Posted in, National, West
Safeway Prepares For Blackhawk IPO
Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway Inc. has announced that it plans to file a registration statement in the U.S. for a potential initial public offering (IPO) of a minority ownership stake in Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc. Depending on market conditions, the company anticipates executing a transaction in the first half of 2013. A news release says that […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Whole Foods Continues Efforts To Put Salad Bars In Schools
Whole Foods Market is giving shoppers in its Southern Pacific Region added incentive to eat their greens with its “Eat Your Greens to Give Some Green” donation day. For every pound of food purchased from its salad and hot bars on Sunday, Sept. 9, Whole Foods Market will donate $1 to the Whole Kids Foundation […]
Posted in, New Products, West
Fresh & Easy Introduces More ‘Green Things’ Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has introduced several more Green Things products, its environmentally-friendly line of cleaning and paper products. With the addition of several hand soaps, cleaners, reusable cleaning cloths and sponges, customers now have more options for products made with natural cleaning agents and sustainable materials. All Green Things household cleaners are made […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Sprouts Appoints Sanders CEO As Boney Becomes Board Chair
Phoenix, Ariz.-based Sprouts Farmers Markets has announced that Shon Boney, who has served as CEO since the company’s founding in 2002, will assume the role of chairman of the board of Sprouts. Long-time Sprouts President Doug Sanders will become president and CEO, whereby he will continue to be responsible for all day-to-day aspects of running […]
Posted in, Marketing News, West
Giumarra Welcomes New West Coast Sales Hire
The Giumarra Cos. has added James Paul to its West Coast avocado and asparagus sales staff. Paul is a graduate of California Polytechnic University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in international business management. He comes to Giumarra with sales and marketing experience with Greg Paul Produce Sales Inc., based in Stockton, Calif., […]
Posted in, National, West
Anaheim Hosts Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo was held last week, Aug. 12-14, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Click here to see more photos from the event. In the featured photo at top: Tom Cohn and Felipe Valadez, Sunkist Growers.
Posted in, Executive News, West
Ruiz Foods Appoints Cullen President, CEO
Ruiz Food Products Inc. has named Rachel Cullen as president and CEO, effective immediately. Cullen joins the company with more than 25 years of experience with leading food and consumer businesses such as Unilever, Kraft, Orange Glo International and, most recently, Dean Foods Ice Cream. “The Ruiz Board of Directors and the Ruiz family are […]
Posted in, National, West
Metropolitan Market Joins Good Food Holdings
Good Foods Holdings has acquired a majority equity interest in Metropolitan Market, a Seattle-based premium grocer. Good Food Holdings is the parent holding company of Bristol Farms of California. Terry Halverson, founder of Metropolitan Market, who remains its chairman and CEO, has become a significant investor in Good Food Holdings and a member of its […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Raley’s to Close Two More Stores
Raley’s said Friday it will close two more stores as a protracted labor struggle continues, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. The West Sacramento-based grocery chain said it would close its Bel Air store on East Gibson Road in Woodland and its Raley’s store in Pittsburg in October. Jobs will be eliminated but employees will […]
Posted in, Suppliers, West
Monsanto Gives $4.2M to Kill California GMO Labeling Initiative
New campaign finance reports reveal that Monsanto Co. recently contributed $4.2 million to defeat Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically engineered food. That is the largest contribution in the race. Total contributions to defeat Proposition 37 amount to $25 million, and nearly $23 million during the last week. Other major new contributions against […]
Posted in, Beverage News, New Products, West
Evolution Fresh To Open Juicery In SoCal
Seattle-based Evolution Fresh plans to open a juicery that will support 160 U.S. manufacturing jobs in , Calif., later next year. Furthering its commitment to expand the availability of super-premium, cold-crafted juice, the company also reports that new flavorful Evolution Fresh products are arriving in select stores on the West Coast. High-tech juicery to quadruple […]
Posted in, National, West
Nassif Named National Chair on Romney’s Farmers and Ranchers Coalition
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced his Farmers and Ranchers for Romney coalition Wednesday, naming Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers, one of six national chairs of the coalition. “I’m honored to have so many farmers and ranchers standing with my campaign,” Mitt Romney said. “They are the backbone of America and play a […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Bristol Farms Newport Beach Re-Opens
Bristol Farms opened the doors to its newly-remodeled Newport Beach, Calif., store on Wednesday with a line of customers anticipating the new design and new look of Bristol Farms, just in time to close out summer and move into fall. The checkout lines stayed flowing as scores of curious and enthusiastic shoppers swarmed the aisles […]