The annual Albertsons Companies Innovation Launchpad competition has begun, searching for emerging and innovative brands representing food, beverage and pet products. Independent food brands between $3 million and $10 million in net retail sales are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to compete at the Natural Products Expo West on March 4 in Anaheim, California. […]
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 inMarketing News, Corporate Store News, West
Grocery Outlet Begins ‘Free Groceries For Life’ Sweepstakes
Grocery Outlet has launched a “Free Groceries for Life” sweepstakes, where customers can enter for a chance to win a range of prizes, including a lifetime of free groceries. “This sweepstakes puts the treasure in treasure hunt,” said Eric Lindberg, chairman and interim president and CEO of the California-based company. “We are absolutely thrilled to […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Food Stores, West
AFS, Kent’s Market Make Holiday Donation To Utah Hospital
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and Kent’s Market, a family-owned grocer with roots in northern Utah, donated $40,000 to Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City during the hospital’s annual patient holiday event Dec. 17. Themed this year as the “Twelve Days of Christmas, the event provided patients and their families with an afternoon of activities, an appearance […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Potandon Produce Taps Lawrence As CEO
David Lawrence has been named CEO of Potandon Produce, one of the largest providers of fresh potatoes in North America, effective Dec. 20. He is the former CEO of Fresh Direct. Lawrence succeeds Mel Davenport, who retired after 30-plus years of service marked by the launch of Klondike Goldust and Klondike Rose potatoes and the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, West
LeClerc Named Next CGA Board Chairman
Michel LeClerc, chief administrative officer of North State Grocery, was named the 2024-25 California Grocers Association (CGA) chairman of the board of directors at the association’s annual meeting Dec. 6. As chair, LeClerc will lead the board’s strategy regarding CGA’s numerous legislative, educational and industry-related programs. The association is comprised of more than 350 retail […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, West
Grocery Outlet Appoints Miller As EVP, CFO
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has appointed Christopher Miller as EVP and CFO, effective Jan. 6, reporting to Eric Lindberg, chairman of the board and interim president and CEO. Miller joins Grocery Outlet from Shamrock Foods Co., the largest family-held food service distributor in the western U.S., where he was the company’s CFO for nearly two years. […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, West
Friends, Colleagues Celebrate Life Of Donna Simpson At Dedication Ceremony
Donna Simpson brought joy into the lives of those around her. That was evident as friends and family shared memories of the grocery industry veteran in an Oct. 16 ceremony at Certified Federal Credit Union, where the building and a serenity garden were dedicated in her memory. Simpson died Aug. 23 of injuries sustained during […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Market Profile, West
Wildfires, Inflation Among Challenges For Wyoming’s Retailers, Residents
Natural disasters are sometimes more difficult to navigate through in areas that are less densely populated. Wildfires have burned more than 810,000 acres in Wyoming thus far this year, and “towns are under duress,” according to Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, which also represents grocers. “Unlike […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Guest Contributors, The Kroger Co., West
Populous West Home To Dynamic, Diverse Grocery Market
The grocery retail landscape in the western United States is as diverse and dynamic as the region itself. Across states, we find one of the most varied geographic landscapes in the country. The region presents a diverse range of climates and terrains, from deserts throughout Arizona, Nevada and California to rainforests in Washington and Alaska. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Benedict Family Has Served Wyoming’s Bridger Valley For 80-plus Years
In the exhibit hall at an NGA Show in Las Vegas a few years ago, Jim Benedict saw a Southern Pride smoker and decided on the spot to buy one for his family’s store in Mountain View, Wyoming. Others were intrigued by it; he was not only intrigued by it but moved decisively to make […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Midwest, Produce News, West
Lakeside Foods Acquires Vegetable Manufacturer Smith Frozen Foods
Lakeside Foods has announced its intent to purchase the business assets of Smith Frozen Foods – including its Weston, Oregon, production facility and Garrett Packing/Brittany Farms operations in Milton-Freewater, Oregon – to produce frozen vegetables. “Smith Frozen Foods is well-regarded in the industry for its strong legacy of growing and processing vegetables and its unwavering commitment […]
Posted inRaley's, Independent Store News, West
Raley’s Food For Families Welcomes Three To Board Of Directors
Raley’s nonprofit, Food For Families, has appointed three new members to its board of directors – Robin Gutridge, Brad Poalillo and Bahar Abullarade. Food For Families was founded by Joyce Raley Teel and CEO Emeritus Chuck Collings in 1986 as a holiday food drive. Since its inception, the organization has grown to serve Feeding America […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Corporate Store News, West
Natural Grocers To Shutter Store Dec. 11 In Tucson, AZ
Natural Grocers will close its store at 7220 E Broadway Blvd. in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 11. The company began storewide closing sales Dec. 3, with discounts of 25 percent off items in the dairy, frozen, grocery and produce departments and 10 percent off everything else, including supplements, body care and beauty. The store is […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, The Kroger Co., West
Heritage Grocers Group Taps Monford As Next Chairman, CEO
Ontario, California-based Heritage Grocers Group has named Suzy Monford as chairman and CEO. Monford, who most recently served as CEO of Food Sport International, a global consultancy that advises retailers on financial and impact value creation, has more than 25 years of experience and a record of leadership and innovation at industry-leading food retailers. Heritage […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West
Superior Grocers CEO Wardwell Hailed For Exceptional Leadership, Dedication
There are words that come up frequently when people talk about Richard Wardwell, president and CEO of Superior Grocers. Driven. Intense. Hands-on. Aware. Friendly. Funny. Tireless. Good-hearted. Humble. Competitive. He doesn’t sleep much and works six 15ish-hour days a week, which would make most people unable to be any of those things. When he’s not […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, West
WAFC Elects Super King VP Fermanian To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected Jake Fermanian of Super King Markets to the board of directors at its Nov. 9 meeting in San Diego, California. Fermanian is the VP of Super King Markets, a family-owned and -operated grocery chain with eight locations in Southern California. Having grown up in the family business […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Plans Grand Opening In Clovis, CA
Vallarta Supermarkets will hold a grand opening Nov. 20 for its new location at 170 W. Shaw Ave. in Clovis, California. The recently completed store has taken over a 51,204-square-foot space, bringing 218 new jobs to the city. It is one of the largest locations Vallarta has in California. The new store will feature many departments, including: Guacamole […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Mollie Stone’s Markets Kicks Off Fundraiser To Fight Hunger
Mollie Stone’s Markets has begun its annual Grab & Give food drive, a community initiative in partnership with San Francisco-Marin Food Bank aimed at fighting hunger in the San Francisco Bay Area. Customers at all Mollie Stone’s locations can participate through Dec. 31 by buying pre-packed bags of groceries or making direct donations. Each Grab & […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
The Save Mart Companies Begin Annual Holiday Food Drive
The Save Mart Companies’ annual “Friends Feeding Friends” holiday food drive has begun at all Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada. The drive supports community food banks and pantries during the holiday season and runs through Dec. 31. The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation also will make a matching cash […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Chicken Of The Sea Launches Tuna, Salmon Packet Up! Kits
Chicken of the Sea continues to expand its line of on-the-go seafood options at retailers nationwide with the addition of customizable kits. New Packet Up! Tuna and Salmon Salad Kits offer high-quality lean protein and flavor. Each kit includes a full-size, wild caught tuna or salmon packet, plus accompaniments to customize the salad. Chicken of […]