Oceanside, California-based Olli Salumeria has launched the first preservative-free salami in the North American market. This week, Olli Salumeria announced its new curing process and formula that eliminates added nitrates and nitrites, producing salami that is free of all preservatives. Most modern salami has added nitrates and nitrites, either as a synthetic or through natural sources such as […]
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 inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Instacart Introduces AI-Powered Food Inspiration Search Tool
San Francisco-based Instacart has launched Ask Instacart, an AI-powered search tool designed to assist with customers’ grocery shopping questions by offering personalized recommendations throughout the shopping experience. By using the language understanding capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Instacart’s own AI models and catalog data that spans more than a billion shoppable items across more than […]
Posted inFeature, West
Exclusive Interview With Tom Hanks Ahead Of IDDBA Appearance
Tom Hanks, known for larger-than-life roles in “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Cast Away,” will be the keynote speaker for the second day of the IDDBA Show. Shelby Publishing EVP Bob Reeves, who shares a personal connection with the award-winning actor, was able to interview him ahead of the event. His history with Hanks, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Albertsons, Private Label Brands, West
Albertsons Consolidates Product Lines To Create Signature Select
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. Inc. will rebrand its Signature Farms, Signature Care and Signature Cafe products under one master brand, Signature Select, which features a refreshed logo, packaging and a marketing campaign. The transition to Signature Select is underway across stores including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s and is expected to be complete in early […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, West
The Illuminators Names Incoming Officers, Five Board Members
The Illuminators have named the incoming officers for 2023-24 and have appointed five new board members to its Constellation of Hilites. Greg Siegel from Idahoan Foods will serve as this year’s headlite and president. “The Illuminator organization will continue to support our three pillars: first, education with more than $150,000 in scholarships awarded in 2023 […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Frutura To Begin Marketing Haas Avocados Under Brand Name
Reedley, California-based Frutura will begin marketing its Hass avocados in North America under the Frutura brand, beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Foundational to Frutura’s new branding strategy is the fact that several of its companies already have strong avocado portfolios. This shift is designed to create a more vertically integrated way for customers to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
New Seasons Market To Accept EBT SNAP Through Instacart
Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market is accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program for same-day delivery and pickup through Instacart. With this program, EBT SNAP participants will be able to use the benefits to access groceries online for delivery or pickup from New Seasons Markets’ 18 locations across metro Portland. The program will launch at the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
There’s Optimism In Oregon For Avoiding Mild Recession
Changing economic conditions have pushed back the likelihood of a mild economic recession for Oregon. This is attributed to a few months of somewhat lower inflation, along with the Federal Reserve waiting for the impact of past interest rate increases to cool the economy, according to Josh Lehner, senior economist for the state. “Any near-term […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
The Save Mart Companies Launches Retail Media Network
The Save Mart Companies is broadening its digital footprint by launching a retail media network with an expanded strategic partnership with Swiftly, a retail technology company that delivers omnichannel tools for enterprise retailers. The deepened partnership will accelerate and enhance The Save Mart Companies’ CPG relationships, creating advertising opportunities for supplier partners and benefiting shoppers with […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Procurant Introduces Voice-Enabled Rating Feature To Application
Watsonville, California-based Procurant has unveiled a new voice-enabled rating feature in its Procurant Inspect application, streamlining retail produce inspections while providing real-time data to buyers and sellers of fresh produce. “The voice-enabled rating feature for Procurant Inspect is a good example of how it brings innovative solutions that save time and simplify complex processes for our […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Trident Seafoods Welcomes First King Salmon Of The Season
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 […]
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 […]