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 […]
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
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 […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Costco Gender Discrimination Class-Action Lawsuit To Proceed
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 […]
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 […]