“There’s no other supermarket in Southern California that carries the selections and the varieties that we’re able to get in Pavilions.” That’s how Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner, describes the stores’ wine and liquor offerings. He credits Phil Markert for stewarding those departments so well. “We have a very special director […]
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 inExecutive News, Association News, News, West
WAFC Mourns Death Of Former Longtime Leader
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced the death of former longtime COO Carole Christianson on Aug. 1 after a battle with leukemia. Christianson retired in 2022 following a 50-year career in the food and beverage industry and more than 15 years at the helm of the WAFC. During her time as COO, […]
Posted inBakery News, News, West
Mars Opens Nature’s Bakery Facility In Salt Lake City, UT
Nature’s Bakery, part of the Mars Inc. family of brands, opened a new baking facility July 30 in Salt Lake City, a $240 million investment that marks a milestone in the brand’s expansion. The 339,000-square-foot site gives Nature’s Bakery the space to grow, with the ability to produce more than 1 billion bars each year. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, West
Save Mart Breaks Ground On New Location In Manteca, CA
The Save Mart Companies broke ground July 30 on a new 52,000-square-foot Save Mart at Main Street and Atherton Drive in Manteca, California. Slated to open in late summer 2026, the store will be an anchor tenant in the Marketplace at Main Shopping Center. “With this future Save Mart store, we are proud to provide […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Pavilions Fills Role As Test Site For New Grocery, GM Products
“Pavilions is a testing ground for a lot of new and innovative items for the entire division,” said Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner. Together with Albertsons and Vons banner stores, they form Albertsons’ 329-store Southern California division. “If something works in Pavilions, there may be 100 stores in the other two […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Pavilions Marks 4 Decades Of Offering SoCal Consumers An Upscale Full-Shop
Wayne Heaton is VP and general manager of the Pavilions banner for Albertsons, which also owns Pavilions’ sister banner Vons. Heaton has enjoyed a long history in the grocery industry, starting as a courtesy clerk “pushing carts” in 1987. He came up through the ranks at Albertsons and served as a store director for many […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, West
3-Store Acquisition Strengthens Stokes Markets’ Position In Mountain West
John Stokes and his brother, Steve, are fourth-generation grocers who have spent their lives immersed in the family business, Stokes Markets. Their work ethic and dedication to excellence are a direct result of their upbringing in the industry and the influence of those who worked alongside them. Stokes credits their customers with pushing them to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Gelson's, News, West
Gelson’s, Upshop Collaborate On Store Operations Technology
Gelson’s Markets is embracing a data-driven transformation in store operations by partnering with Upshop. By adopting the tech firm’s total store platform, Gelson’s aims to infuse intelligence into its forecasting, total store ordering, production planning and real-time inventory processes, ensuring every location is tuned into local demand dynamics. The initiative means shoppers will find what […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Feature, News, West
Food 4 Less Leader Doyel Plans To Keep Building On Banner’s Strong Foundation
Kendra Doyel may have one of the most well-rounded careers among today’s supermarket industry leaders. Named president of Kroger’s Food 4 Less/Foods Co division in April, Doyel started as a pharmacist in the company’s Fry’s division in 1998 and wound through several departments and responsibilities on her way to leading 101 Food 4 Less and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Superior Grocers, West
Superior Grocers Debuts Second Las Vegas Store
Superior Grocers opened its second Las Vegas store July 23 at 390 S Decatur Blvd. Among other products, customers can find a $1.99 street hot dog plus Jarritos soda combo, premium cuts of SR Superior Ranch Meat, agua frescas, boba tea, fresh tamales and treats from an in-store dulceria. Customers can visit SuperiorGrocers.com or download […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, News, West
Heritage Grocers Group CEO Steps Down, Leadership Transitions In Progress
Heritage Grocers Group (HGG) has shared multiple leadership transitions within the company, as Suzy Monford steps down from her role as chairwoman and CEO to pursue other opportunities. She had joined the company in November 2024. HGG has named industry veteran David Hirz chairman of the board and is instituting an Office of the CEO […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, News, West
Heritage Grocers Group, NationsBenefit Partner To Boost Health
Heritage Grocers Group has begun a retail technology integration through which health plan members can use their NationsBenefits Mastercard Prepaid Cards at the grocer’s banners to buy fresh produce, pantry staples and over-the-counter wellness essentials. By embedding its Basket Adjudication Service technology platform into checkout systems, NationsBenefits is providing members the freedom to use their […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market Joins U.S. Food Waste Pact
Sprouts Farmers Market has become the latest grocery retailer to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact, a joint initiative led by ReFED and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain. Sprouts and 21 other food businesses and organizations have committed to the pact’s voluntary agreement, which utilizes the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to facilitate […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Markets To Open Remodeled Store In Twentynine Palms, CA
Stater Bros. Markets will hold a grand reopening July 23 for its remodeled supermarket at 71727 29 Palms Hwy. in Twentynine Palms, California, where customers will be greeted by a large American flag on a 66-foot tall flagpole. “This flag will fly tall and proud and signify our respect for the patriotic local community and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
Zupan’s Markets Celebrates 50 Years As Family-Owned Grocer
Zupan’s Markets is celebrating 50 years as “Portland’s locally-owned destination for specialty groceries, gourmet ingredients and exceptional service.” Since opening its doors in 1975, the family-owned grocer has evolved into a neighborhood market known for its curated product selection, top-tier ingredients and commitment to quality. Throughout 2025, Zupan’s will honor its golden anniversary with a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Associated Food Stores Raises $85K For Make-A-Wish Utah
Associated Food Stores partnered with Make-A-Wish Utah to raise funds that help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. This year’s campaign raised $84,943.73 – $3,000 more than last year’s total – with employees at Macey’s, Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s Market and Fresh Market helping lead the effort, collecting donations in-store and online. Each location […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, News, UNFI, West
UNFI Celebrates Grocery Retailers During Holiday, Winter Selling Show
During its first Holiday and Winter Selling Show of 2025, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) connected grocers with a variety of supplier brands while celebrating several of its high-performing retailers. The show, held July 15-17 in Las Vegas, brought together more than 5,300 attendees, including nearly 2,200 UNFI retail customer representatives and more than 900 […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Joins Quad’s In-Store Connect Network
Quad/Graphics Inc., a marketing experience company, is expanding its In-Store Connect retail media network into Vallarta Supermarkets. The partnership brings strategically-located digital signage into an initial 15 Vallarta stores starting this summer, enhancing the shopper experience and giving consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands a new way to engage with the grocer’s high-frequency shoppers at the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, West
The Save Mart Companies Seeking Applications For Feeding Forward Grant
The Save Mart Companies’ CARES Foundation is seeking applications for the 2025-26 Feeding Forward Grant Program, which helps expand food recovery infrastructure and efforts in alignment with California SB 1383 regulations. In honor of the foundation’s 20th anniversary, the 2025-26 Feeding Forward Grant will focus on building the capacity of nonprofits that work to recover and […]
Posted inCenter Store, News, West
The Wonderful Co. Calls For Central Valley Community Grant Applications
The Wonderful Company has opened the application period for its Wonderful Central Valley Community Grants. Over the past 10 years, The Wonderful Company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, along with their foundations, have awarded more than $8.5 million in grants to more than 142 nonprofits and 165 schools in the San Joaquin Valley. […]