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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inBeverage News, Albertsons, Executive News, West
Talking Rain Names Giesler As VP Of Sales, National Accounts
Seattle, Washington-based Talking Rain Beverage Co. has appointed Katie Giesler as VP of sales, national accounts. In this role, Giesler will oversee the team calling on retail accounts, such as Kroger, Albertsons Safeway, Walmart, Target and the convenience channel. Giesler started her career in sales operations at Coca-Cola Enterprises as a district sales manager and […]
Posted inWest, Produce News
Full Harvest Expands Supply Chain Digitization To Produce Grades
San Francisco, California-based Full Harvest has announced its expansion beyond surplus to all USDA Grade 1 produce on its online marketplace for commercial buyers and sellers. Helping the food waste problem by bringing the entire produce market online for more efficiencies, the addition expands its reach to retailers, foodservice companies, and direct-to-consumer distributors, among others. Full Harvest is an end-to-end online […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Ocean Mist Farms Expects High Quality, Volume On Spring Crop
Ocean Mist Farms, a year round producer of fresh California artichokes, is expecting a large spring crop from its growing region in Castroville, California. “The storms that devastated parts of California during the winter months put the season behind about four weeks,” said Ben Wilson, artichoke commodity manager. “That being said, we have recovered nicely, and are […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Fermanian Family Marks Milestone, Focused On Future
The Fermanian family of Super King Markets in Southern California is living the American dream, finding success through much hard work and determination. This year, they are celebrating the company’s 30th anniversary. Of Armenian heritage, the family lived in Lebanon before moving to Abu Dhabi to escape the war. Peter Fermanian, his wife, Mary, and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Sprouts Launches New Retail Media Network Through Instacart
Instacart has announced that Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market is leveraging Carrot Ads to power its new retail media network. Carrot Ads helps retailers establish and grow retail media networks on their websites and apps. In addition to allowing brands to increase the reach of their Instacart Ads campaigns to include the Sprouts e-commerce experience, brand partners […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, West
Affiliated Foods Accelerates Efforts To Comply With Food Traceability Rule
Wholesaler selects ReposiTrak Traceability Network solution Affiliated Foods Inc., a wholesaler serving more than 800 member stores across the Southwest, has accelerated its efforts to comply with the FDA’s new food traceability rule (FSMA 204) by adopting the ReposiTrak Traceability Network. The move enables Affiliated Foods’ suppliers to seamlessly exchange the complex Key Data Element […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
New Seasons Market To Open 22nd Portland Metro Area Store In 2025
West Coast grocer to create more than 100 jobs in Hillsboro’s Tanasbourne Area New Seasons Market is planning to open its 22nd store, located in Hillsboro’s Tanasbourne Town Center, in the second quarter of 2025. It will fill the 27,271-square-foot space formerly held by Office Depot at 11000 NE Evergreen Parkway. “We are excited to expand our presence […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Albertsons, West
Tyson Foods, Albertsons Introduce Chairman’s Reserve Products
Tyson Foods and Albertsons are launching two new Chairman’s Reserve Prime Pork products: the bone-in pork tomahawk chop and bone-in pork chop. Both products are available in Albertsons stores in the Portland, Oregon, market. “With grilling season upon us, we are delighted to expand our Chairman’s Reserve Prime Pork product offerings for Albertsons shoppers,” said […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, Super King Markets, West
Super King Markets Celebrates 30th Anniversary
The 30th anniversary of Super King Markets in 2023 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its founders, the Fermanian family. But it is also a celebration of the company, its values, family-style management approach and tremendous loyalty and support from a fervent customer base. For this special section, The Shelby Report […]
Posted inProduce News, West
FPFC Names 2023 Apprentice Program Class
The Fresh Produce and Floral Council has selected 12 people to participate in its 10th FPFC Apprentice Program. The participants are Dan Addiego, FreshSource; Shane Aldrich, D. Gardikas Produce; Morgan Bahri; Jake Beggin, Local Bounti; Noah Lines, Westlake Produce Co.; Courtney Ludford, Wonderful Citrus; Abby McPherson, Frieda’s; Jackie Nakashian, Trinity Fruit; Nick Schiavo, Allen Lund Co.; Elyse Seiler, Monterey Mushrooms; Alexis Storm, JLZ Produce; and Fernando […]