Utah was named the No. 1 state for economic outlook for the 16th year in a row by Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index. According to a statement from the office of Gov. Spencer Cox, this is attributed to “strategic policies, smart fiscal decisions and forward-thinking reserve funds, combined with the hard […]
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 inProduce News, West
Zespri To Showcase SunGold Kiwis At IFPA Show
Industry professionals and retailers can stop by Zespri’s booth No. 3293 during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California, to meet with regional and international staff and to taste Zespri SunGold Kiwi samples and Kiwitinis. “Our booth is always buzzing, bringing to life the boldness and fun of our remarkable kiwifruit,” said Jeanne Wilson, […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Driscoll’s Names Bjorn As CEO
Driscoll’s board of directors has elected Soren Bjorn, currently president of Driscoll’s of the Americas, as the company’s new CEO. Miles Reiter, the current chairman and CEO, has announced his plan to retire at the end of the year and become executive chairman of the family-owned company. Reiter has been involved in the berry business […]
Posted inCenter Store, West
Natural Balance Wins 2023 Wet Dog Food Product Of Year
Natural Balance Pet Foods has won a 2023 Pet Independent Innovation Award for its new Limited Ingredient Stews for Dogs. The stews, which hit shelves earlier during the summer, won the award for Dog Wet Food Product of the Year. The Limited Ingredient Stews for Dogs feature single animal protein from chicken, beef or duck […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Supply Chain News, West
Walmart To Open Fifth Fulfillment Center In Stockton, CA
Walmart plans to open its fifth “next-generation” fulfillment center in Stockton, California, in 2026. The new 900,000-square-foot facility at 150 Mariposa Road in Stockton – about 50-miles south of Sacramento – will enable the retailer to fulfill online orders throughout the west coast with greater speed and efficiency. Increased order capacity means faster shipping speeds […]
Posted inNorthgate Market, Independent Store News, West
Northgate Gonzales Market Recognizes Juntos Award Recipients
Northgate González Market has recognized 12 people during its Juntos Awards campaign, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Born out of the pandemic, the program’s message is that “we are all united in this journey to help those less fortunate,” according to the company. As part of the award, Northgate Market has announced $24,000 in […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Sprouts Opens Southern California Distribution Center
Sprouts Farmers Market has unveiled a 337,000-square-foot distribution center in Fullerton, California, that it says will enhance the efficiency and freshness of produce deliveries to some 95 stores within a 250-mile radius of the site. The facility will also support the company’s ongoing expansion across California and the U.S., as well as efforts to improve […]
Posted inPackaging News, Produce News, West
Superfresh Growers Introduces Recycled Apple, Pear Bags
Superfresh Growers has introduced the apple and pear industry’s first fruit bag made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Post-consumer recycled plastic is made from things people recycle daily – plastic bottles, milk jugs and other bags – all sourced from USA recycling centers and can be continuously recycled. Superfresh Growers PCR bag is SGS Global Services […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Avocado Commission’s President Oberman Steps Down
The California Avocado Commission has announced that Jeff Oberman, who has served as president and CEO since October 2022, has left the organization to pursue other interests. Oberman was brought in as the first external hire to be president and CEO for the Irvine, California-based commission in more than three decades, bringing many years of […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Corporate Store News, West
Natural Grocers To Hold Store Grand Opening In Twin Falls, ID
Natural Grocers will host a store grand opening Oct. 18 at 1933 Fillmore St. in Twin Falls, Idaho. This will be Natural Grocers’ fifth store in the state. Community members are invited to the event, which begins at 8:20 a.m. Natural Grocers will present a $2,500 donation to the Center of Prayer and Worship Food […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, West
Heritage Grocers Group Promotes Stover, Coswatte
Heritage Grocers Group has promoted Eric Stover to president and Prabash Coswatte to COO, reporting to CEO Doug Sanders. “The promotions of Eric and Prabash further aligns and unifies the organizational structure of Heritage Grocers Group,” Sanders said. “They are exceptional leaders whose extensive experience and expertise will be instrumental in executing our growth strategy, […]
Posted inDollar General, Corporate Store News, West
Dollar General Opens First Store In Montana, Its 48th State
The first of three stores Dollar General plans to open this fall in Montana – the company’s 48th state – debuted Sept. 30 in Columbia Falls. Locations in Lincoln and Sanders Counties are under construction, with the company saying it plans to evaluate additional areas of the state for future sites. A customer celebration at […]
Posted in, Sustainability News, West
Ralphs Adds Upcycled Fruit Snacks For Hunger Action Month
Ralphs Grocery Co. is carrying four varieties of The Ugly Co.’s upcycled dried fruit snacks – apricots, cherries, nectarines and peaches – at 184 stores across Southern California. Headquartered in Farmersville, California, The Ugly Co. prevents food waste by transforming imperfect fruit into natural, single-ingredient snacks. “More than 38 percent of the food produced in […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
DiMare California Names Dolan As DMB Packing President
DiMare California has named Jeff Dolan as president of Newman, California-based DMB Packing. Dolan will have an expanded leadership role in the family business. Previously, he held the position of field operations manager. In the new role, he will oversee all operations regarding the growing, packing and shipping of fresh market tomatoes in California. “This announcement […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Report: Retailers Sell More Avocados In Second Quarter
Spring and summer holidays generated higher avocado unit sales compared to 2022, according to the holiday retail recap report from the Misson Viejo, California-based Hass Avocado Board. Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day and Father’s Day contributed a combined 27.5 million incremental avocado units versus the prior year. Avocado volume during Cinco De Mayo grew […]
Posted inGelson's, Grocery Store Equipment, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Gelson’s, Rove Partner For EV Charging Centers
Gelson’s has finalized a partnership with Rove, a developer and operator of full-service electric vehicle charging centers, to provide food and beverage services. Rove will launch by building an initial six locations in Southern California beginning this year, with 20 charging centers planned by 2026. The deal represents a first-of-its-kind retail brand partnership for Gelson’s. ReCharge by […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, West
UNFI Concludes Natural Winter Show In Las Vegas
United Natural Foods Inc. has completed its 2023 schedule of shows and events, concluding Sept. 28 with its 2023 UNFI Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout the two-day event, more than 2,000 attendees connected with UNFI’s community of suppliers, offering an assortment across grocery, fresh, organic and specialty departments. The show also featured […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Superior Grocers Tees Up Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Superior Grocers held its annual foundation golf tournament Sept. 23 at the JW Marriott in Palm Desert, California, marking a milestone with $3.5 million in donations since its inception in 1998. The Superior Foundation, alongside its vendor partners, raised more than $400,000 during this year’s tournament. The funds will help support vital initiatives in education, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Smart & Final, West
Smart & Final President Scott Drew Announces Retirement
Chedraui USA, the fourth largest grocery retailer in California and parent company of El Super, Smart & Final and Fiesta Mart stores, has announced that Smart & Final President Scott Drew will retire, effective Sept. 29. Drew began his career in the industry more than four decades ago as a grocery clerk. He joined Smart […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, International Foods, West
Cardenas Markets Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Cardenas Markets is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through several promotional marketing programs. Through Oct. 15, the Ontario, California-based company will celebrate with an online sweepstakes, share recipes for authentic Hispanic meals and highlight influential Hispanic figures. “Food plays such a significant role in fostering togetherness, expressing cultural identity and celebrating traditions that have been passed […]