Sensei Farms has introduced baby spinach to the indoor-grown produce brand’s retail line of leafy greens. Grown fresh, year-round in the company’s 30-acre Ontario, Canada-based greenhouse, baby spinach is available at participating Safeway and Acme stores across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. “Our goal is to deliver the freshest, responsibly grown fruits and vegetables throughout the […]
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 inAssociation News, West
WAFC Adds Vallarta COO Hinojosa To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected David Hinojosa of Vallarta Supermarkets to its board of directors during a meeting Jan. 25 in La Quinta, California. At Vallarta, Hinojosa is responsible for company-wide operations, including P&L, fresh departments, merchandising, sales, compliance, warehouses, risk management, continuous improvement, loss prevention and human resources. “We look forward […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northgate Market, West
Northgate Gonzalez Market Unveils New-Look La Puente Store
Customers lined up early in the morning Jan. 29 to visit the newly redesigned Northgate González Market at 831 N. Hacienda Blvd. in La Puente, California. The new-look store highlights more of the fresh and prepared Mexican foods customers want, along with easy-to-navigate check stands for those on the go. “Today marks a special milestone […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
CGA Elevates 3 Executives To New Positions
As the first step in a multi-pronged plan to ensure long-term growth and stability, the California Grocers Association (CGA) has promoted three executives. Jennifer Gold is now VP of people operations and administration, while Nate Rose has become VP of communications and public affairs and Beth Wright is executive director of events and sponsorship. Gold, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta To Open First Store Of 2025 In Modesto, CA
Vallarta Supermarkets will hold a grand opening Feb. 5 for a new store – its first of 2025 – at 3900 Pelandale Ave., No. 200, in Modesto, California. The store has taken over a 45,099-square-foot space, bringing 227 new jobs to the area. It has nine more employees than the grocer’s recently opened Clovis store, which […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, New Seasons Market, West
New Seasons Market, Zero Foodprint Open Restore NW Grant Application Process
In partnership with New Seasons Market, Zero Foodprint has opened the application process for its Restore NW Grant, representing a joint commitment to environmental stewardship and advancing a sustainable food economy. The Restore NW program provides funding for a range of climate-smart agricultural practices, including compost applications, cover crops, managed grazing and hedgerow plantings. Oregon and Washington farmers and […]
Posted inWoman Executive of the Year, Executive News, West
Pierce Leans On Southern Roots, Strong Work Ethic
Though Subriana Pierce has resided in Southern California for nearly 15 years now, “I am a Deep South girl,” she says. Pierce was born in the South Georgia town of Moultrie. Moves to Mobile, Alabama, and then Jackson, Mississippi, followed. The daughter of a high school vocational teacher/auto mechanic and a nurse, Pierce and her […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Produce News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Adds Afresh Technology To All Produce Departments
After a successful pilot, Southern California-based Stater Bros. Markets is rolling out Afresh’s store ordering solution across produce departments at all 169 of its stores. Stater Bros., which is replacing its previous manual ordering processes with Afresh’s artificial intelligence-powered solution, measured significant improvements during the pilot. Notably, produce teams reduced overstock, prevented excess inventory from […]
Posted inWoman Executive of the Year, Home Page Latest News, West
Pierce’s Career Marked By Balancing Ambition, Service To Others
Subriana Pierce, SVP of sales for C.A. Fortune based in the company’s Southern California office, has been named The Shelby Report of the West’s Woman Executive of the Year for 2024. Pierce is being honored for her contributions to the grocery industry, both through her work and through her service to others. Pierce has a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Raley's, West
The Raley’s Companies Promotes 2 Executives
The Raley’s Companies has made two leadership appointments to continue accelerating its strategic vision and growth trajectory. Jen Warner has been promoted to The Raley’s Companies’ chief growth and transformation officer, while Levi Wingo has become SVP of product and merchandising innovation. In her new role, Warner will focus on propelling the long-range plan to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
Bungee Tech’s Platform Offers Actionable Insights, View Of Competitive Landscape
The Shelby Report caught up with Caitlin Orosz, senior director of marketing for Redmond, Washington-based Bungee Tech after Groceryshop 2024 in Las Vegas. The software company aims to revolutionize retail operations through efficient automation and improve the ability of customers to compete and win in the market. Retail pricing solutions such as its Retailscape by […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, UNFI, West
UNFI Highlights Top Summer Trends During Selling Show
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) recently completed its spring and summer selling show in San Diego, California, the first of the company’s 2025 exhibit season. The two-day event brought together more than 4,300 attendees, connecting 1,800 retailers with 800 supplier brands. Exhibitors showcased thousands of brands spanning natural, organic, fresh, specialty and conventional grocery products. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Heritage Grocers Group Launches First Candelaria Tamale Celebration
Heritage Grocers Group has launched its first annual Candelaria Tamale Celebration at Cardenas Markets and El Rancho Supermercado. For many Hispanic families, the holiday season concludes Feb. 2 with El Día de la Candelaria. Leading up to this celebration is Three Kings Day (Jan. 6), where a “Rosca de Reyes” (traditional cake) is served. The person […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Mollie Stone’s Markets Introduces Rewards Program
Mollie Stone’s Markets has launched a new loyalty program, Mollie’s Rewards, to provide customers with exclusive perks and benefits. Free to join, Mollie’s Rewards offers customers up to 3 percent back in rewards dollars based on monthly purchases (calculation resets each month). Rewards are issued as paper store certificates twice a year, in January and […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, U.R.M. Stores, West
Culture Of URM Stores Inc. Built On Communication, Fairness, Respect
Having weathered challenging work environments in his career, Ray Sprinkle, CEO and president of URM Stores Inc., was determined to create a different kind of workplace when he joined the Spokane, Washington-based company – one characterized by positivity and support. Instead of micromanaging, Sprinkle prefers a hands-off approach, focusing on hiring highly qualified people, trusting […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Executive News, West
Grocery Outlet Names Potter As President, CEO
Emeryville, California-based Grocery Outlet has appointed Jason Potter as its president and CEO, effective Feb. 3. He also will join the company’s board of directors. Potter succeeds Eric J. Lindberg Jr., who has served as interim president and CEO since October. Lindberg also serves as chairman of the board and will continue in that capacity […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Sprinkle Hailed For Visionary Leadership, Strong Commitment To Mentorship
When he was 14, Ray Sprinkle was hired to sort soda bottles in the back of the grocery store his father ran in Kansas. Sprinkle didn’t know it at the time, but he would go on to spend the bulk of his 50-plus-year professional career – and make a name for himself – in that […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
At Hawaii-Based KTA, ‘We Are What We Are Because Of Our Community’
Toby Taniguchi is the yonsei of his family’s company on the Big Island of Hawai’i. That is, he is the fourth generation to lead the business, Puna Plantation Hawaii Ltd., based in Hilo. The company comprises businesses including six KTA Super Stores, KTA Express, five KTA Pharmacy locations and K. Takata Store, which Puna Plantation […]
Posted inBakery News, West
Dave’s Killer Bread Launches Organic Snack Bites
Dave’s Killer Bread, an organic bread brand based in Milwaukie, Oregon, is growing its on-the-go snack product line with the national launch of organic snack bites. Each flavor combines whole grain nutrition with simple ingredients that consumers know, featuring a new crunchy texture to meet current snacking desires. Crafted with organic nuts, seeds and grains […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Beauty, Challenges Are Dual Realities In Isolated, Expensive Hawaii
For all its natural beauty, welcoming people and myriad other charms, Hawaii does have its share of challenges economically, which impact the islands’ food store operators. Alexis Chapman, director of operations for the Hawaii Food Industry Association in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, said the state’s economy is growing but still faces some unique […]