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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, West
The Wonderful Co. Commits $10 Million To California Wildfire Relief
The Wonderful Co. is committing $10 million to fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area. Immediate donations will focus on providing real-time support to first responders, both firefighters and police, with donations expanding over time to broader relief efforts. The company also announced it would double all L.A. fire-related donations made by its 10,000 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, International Foods, West
Island Pacific Supermarkets Holds Volunteer Campaign For Wildfire Relief
Island Pacific Supermarket recently completed a community-driven campaign, with volunteers joining efforts to assemble care packs and distribute food and beverages to wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles. To continue its efforts, Island Pacific is extending its free meals for first responders program until Jan. 20. Relief goods were delivered to the L.A. Regional Food Bank in City of […]
Posted inExecutive News, New Seasons Market, West
New Seasons Market Makes Leadership Change After CEO Exits
Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market has shared that CEO Nancy Lebold has departed, with company veteran Dave Kauder stepping into a new leadership role. A longtime member of the company’s executive leadership team, Kauder will serve as SVP of retail, where he’ll support the grocer’s core business goals while driving customer experience, staff engagement and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, The Kroger Co., West
The Kroger Co. Pledges $1M To Support California Wildfire Relief
The Kroger Family of Companies, including Southern California’s Ralphs and Food4Less stores, intends to raise $1 million to benefit the American Red Cross and local Feeding America-affiliated food banks in the wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles area. “We strive to fulfill our purpose, to Feed the Human Spirit, every day and especially when disaster strikes,” said Rodney […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, SpartanNash, West
SpartanNash Begins Fundraiser For California Wildfire Relief
SpartanNash has announced disaster relief efforts to support those affected by wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area. As part of its response, SpartanNash has donated six truckloads of essential products, including bottled water, ready-to-eat snacks and personal hygiene items, to disaster relief partners Convoy of Hope and Global Empowerment Mission. In addition, the SpartanNash Foundation is […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Gelson's, West
Wildfires Destroy Gelson’s Palisades Store In SoCal
Extreme fire conditions are impacting Southern California, with four wildfires in Los Angeles County and one in Ventura County. Excessive winds are a primary driver and are beginning to subside, but not disappear. The three major incidents are the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires. Additional fire starts are still possible given the conditions, and at […]
Posted inMarketing News, Albertsons, West
Albertsons Media Collective Launches API Offering, TransUnion Partnership
Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm for The Albertsons Cos., has launched an API (Application Programming Interface) that will enable advertisers to integrate the grocer’s campaign performance data into their own measurement models for analysis. Complementing these efforts, Albertsons Media Collective is also partnering with TransUnion to offer advertisers TruAudience marketing mix modeling (MMM) […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Raley's, West
Raley’s Begins New Food For Families Grant Program
To assist with the challenge of safely storing, transporting and distributing food, Raley’s is introducing a new Food for Families grant program for its partner food banks and supporting networks. Starting at a minimum of $5,000 each, the grants reflect a range of funding that depends on the demonstrated need of the applicant. The program […]