On May 17, the first King Salmon from Copper River landed in Seattle on an Alaska Airlines flight direct from Alaska, marking the beginning of what industry leaders expect to be an above-average season for the fish. Representatives from Trident Seafoods, the Copper River Prince William Sound Marketing Association, Alaska Airlines and Chef Tom Douglas […]
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 inExecutive News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, West
Albertsons Cos. Names Moriarty As EVP, General Counsel
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. has named Tom Moriarty as EVP and general counsel, effective June 5. Moriarty brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to Albertsons Cos., including senior positions across legal, corporate strategy, policy and operations. He joins the company from CVS Health, where he spent more than 10 years serving in roles […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Association News, West
WAFC Elects 2023-24 Leadership At Annual Conference
Lakewood, California-based Western Association of Food Chains has announced the 2023-24 officers and board of directors, elected May 7 and May 9 at the WAFC’s annual convention. The new officers are: Paul Gianetto, SVP of sales and merchandising at Raley’s, has been named president and chairman. Nancy Lebold, CEO at New Seasons Markets, will serve […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Tour Showcases Grocer’s Strengths – Selection, Quality, Price
Super King Markets is well known for its produce department, which features vast quantities of well-known and lesser-known items. But that is not all that the eight Southern California locations have to offer. For the company’s 30th anniversary, The Shelby Report of the West’s EVP Bob Reeves recently visited Super King Markets’ Anaheim store on […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Hands-On, Involved Approach Has Been Key To Owners’ Success
Sam Barrow, senior director of human resources, was recruited to join Super King Markets eight years ago. At the time, he served as human resources manager for a Japanese-based hospitality group in its Los Angeles office. Of his role with the grocer, Barrow said: “We try to support our employees and give them all the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Gelson's, West
WAFC Wraps Up Record-Breaking Convention
Fueled by a record-breaking turnout, retailers and vendors took advantage of business meetings to renew relationships, discuss merchandising ideas and meet emerging brands May 6-10 at the Western Association of Food Chains’ annual convention. WAFC Chief Operating Officer Pat Posey told The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves that the show drew rave reviews. “Overall, I think everyone […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
Guest Speakers Entertain Attendees At Convention
Attendees at the Western Association of Food Chains’ annual convention were entertained by guest speakers that took the general session stage May 9 at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California. Motivational speaker, comedian and bestselling author Josh Sundquist has shared his story with audiences across the world. At age 9, Sundquist was […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Managers: Family Pays Attention To Detail, Quality And Service
Raffi Karayan and Vahan Magtesian are both district managers for Super King Markets in Southern California. Karayan has been with the company for 15 years, Magtesian for 17 years. Both previously spent 20-plus years with Jon’s Markets. The two work together to make sure everything runs smoothly, from operations, employment and quality issues – “the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Trader Joe’s CEO Bane Announces Retirement
Dan Bane, chairman and CEO of Monrovia, California-based Trader Joe’s, has announced his intention to retire, effective July 2. At that time, Bryan Palbaum will become the chairman and CEO and Jon Basalone will be promoted to vice-CEO and president of Trader Joe’s Co. Bane has been with the company for more than 25 years, the last 22 as the chairman […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Genova Premium Tuna, Rachel Ray Partner For Giveaway
El Segundo, California-based Genova Premium Tuna is partnering with television personality Rachael Ray to give consumers a sneak peek into her al fresco setup at-home in Tuscany and help bring the tradition of al fresco dining to life for consumers at-home. Ray will be sharing everything from her go-to outdoor dining recipe to her al fresco tips for consumers to try out at-home, including her Genova Yellowfin […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Four Star Fruit Appoints Dixon As Director Of Imports
Delano, California-based Four Star Fruit has appointed Justin Dixon as director of imports. Dixon will play a role in expanding Four Star’s presence in growing regions worldwide and building sustainable partnerships with grower priorities top of mind. Dixon brings extensive sales and leadership experience to the Four Star team. More recently, he was with Kingsburg Orchard […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Decision-Making Process Quick, Simple, ‘All About The Customer’
While Gabriel Mercado has been with Super King Markets for just seven months, he has been in the grocery business for the last 20 years. The VP of finance and accounting at Super King said he started his career at H-E-B in Texas, then in Mexico. While at H-E-B, he moved from accounting and finance […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Stater Bros., Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling Launch Give Back Program
San Bernardino, California-based Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling and Stater Bros. Charities, the philanthropic arm of Stater Bros. Markets, are partnering for their Give Back program during National Military Appreciation Month. The program will run in May, during which Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling will donate $0.25 per product purchased to the Bob Hope USO. Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling is donating up to […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
Grocery Exec/Board Member Extolls Benefits Of WAFC
Mike Johnson, VP of merchandising for King Soopers and a member of the Western Association of Food Chain’s board of directors, spoke with The Shelby Report’s VP Jan Meade at the WAFC Convention about the benefits of the organization. Johnson, who also has worked for The Kroger Co.’s Fred Meyer and Kroger banners, said the […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Beverage News, Center Store, West
Large, Varied Liquor Selection Boosts Traffic With Popular Sales
Harry Cherkesyan has been with Super King Markets for 17 years. He is the director of center store, which includes liquor, dry groceries and mixed nuts. Cherkesyan worked for Jon’s Markets for 16 years before starting at Super King. He said he had decided it was time to see what else was out there. While […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Stater Bros. Launches ‘Kids 4 Hope’ Donation Campaign
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets is joining forces with its charity foundation for a third year to raise funds to support pediatric cancer patients at City of Hope. Through May 21, all locations will participate in the Kids 4 Hope in-store campaign. City of Hope is a research and treatment center for cancer, treating blood […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, Anniversary Issues, West
Produce Is Driver, ‘The Heart’ When It Comes To Stores
At Super King Markets, produce is king. Eddie Avila, director of produce, joined the company in 2017, with more than 30 years of industry experience. Avila, who had worked for Albertsons in Southern California for 32 years, said he didn’t realize what a produce buyer was until he got into the independent grocer arena. “When […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Food Stores, West
Associated Food Stores, Symbotic Implement Automation System
Associated Food Stores has entered into a commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s A.I.-powered robotic warehouse automation technology in its Utah distribution center. Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic case pick capabilities, will allow AFS’ distribution center to improve a variety of retail-facing experiences, including overall supply, expanded selection and delivery of products to stores. “We appreciate the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, West
WAFC Convention Setting Records For Attendance
The Shelby Report’s EVP Bob Reeves caught up with Joe Perez, headlite of the Illuminators, on May 7 during the Western Association of Food Chain’s Convention in Palm Desert, California. Perez said he is extremely excited, noting there is “a lot of high energy and momentum in the industry.” The convention began May 6 with […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Super King Matriarch Keeps Finances – And More – On Track
Although her official title with Super King Markets is CFO, Mary Fermanian has done a bit of everything since the company’s start. She and her husband, Peter, along with his brother, Vache, built the business from its original Anaheim location to eight stores in Los Angeles and Orange counties. She and Peter met through their […]