George Pulido of the FoodMaxx store in San Pablo, California, has been named The Save Mart Companies’ 2024 Piccinini-Tocco Outstanding Store Manager of the Year. The announcement was made during the company’s 31st Annual Management Awards Gala on March 8 in San Ramon. “From our roots in California’s Central Valley, The Save Mart Companies has […]
Category: West
Posted inDairy News, Grocery News, News, West
California Milk Advisory Board Announces Leadership Transition
Dairy industry leader John Talbot retires after a decade of innovation and growth, paving the way for Bob Carroll to steer the future of California dairy. Tracy, Calif. – March 10, 2025 – The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), a key player in the dairy industry, has announced a significant leadership transition. CEO John Talbot, who […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Cos. Pledges To Donate 1.5B Meals By 2030
As part of its Recipe for Change impact framework, Albertsons Cos. and its foundation have established a new goal to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2030 through a combination of surplus food donations and funds raised by its foundation, after meeting the original goal of more than one billion meals. In addition, the foundation’s Nourishing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Feature, West
Latinos Are Driving Retail Force Across West
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder, principal consultant, PDG Insights In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Spending power among this […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Food Stores, West
AFS Begins Distribution Center Automation Project With Symbotic
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and Symbotic Inc. have begun a warehouse modernization initiative at AFS’ Utah distribution center that will transform it into a next-generation facility equipped to meet future demands. The project also advances the wholesaler’s 85-year commitment to efficiency and service for nearly 500 independent grocers in the Intermountain West Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Private Label Brands, West
Market Of Choice Launches New Private Label Line
Market of Choice, Oregon’s largest independent, family-owned grocer, is strengthening its commitment to local producers with Craft & Kitchen, its new private label line. The line includes premium dairy products and center-store pantry staples distinguished by recipes and flavors created with Oregon makers and Market of Choice chefs. Market of Choice stores have the largest […]
Posted inFeature, Equipment & Technology, West
Simbe’s Tally Robot Revolutionizing Grocery Retail With AI, Automation
San Francisco-based Simbe has spent the past decade working to digitize physical stores, with a mission to enhance visibility and operational efficiency for retailers. Brad Bogolea, Simbe’s co-founder and CEO, recently spoke with The Shelby Report about the company’s evolving role in the retail technology landscape. Simbe is widely recognized in the grocery industry for […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
WAFC Rally Focuses On Education, Community, Future Of Grocery
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) held its SoCal Pre-Convention Rally on Feb. 6, highlighting the crucial role of education and community in shaping the future of the grocery industry. The event, presented by The Illuminators, drew industry leaders, sponsors and professionals to The Reef on the Water in Long Beach, California, to discuss […]