While Utah’s economy remains strong, there are signs it may be slowing with rising interest rates and inflation, according to Dave Davis, president and chief legal officer for the Utah Food Industry Association. The state’s unemployment rate of 2 percent is about 1.5 percent lower than the national average, but Davis said workforce continues to […]
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 inFood City, Food Industry Hall of Fame, West
Food City Banner Caters To Hispanic Shoppers
The Shelby Report of the West’s EVP Bob Reeves recently toured Food City, a banner of Bashas’ Family of Stores. Mike Solis, director of operations for Food City, and Ralph Woodward, SVP of operations for Bashas’ Family of Stores, led the walk-through. Bashas’ bought Food City, which caters to the Hispanic palate, in the mid-1990s. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
New Seasons Market Named Best Oregon-Based Employer
Forbes Magazine has ranked New Seasons Market as the No. 1 Oregon-based employer and retailer, as noted in a market research study conducted with Statista. The ranking, which was compiled by surveying 70,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees, also noted Fremont, California-based Lam Research and Issaquah, Washington-based Costco Wholesale as the top employers in Oregon. “Amidst so […]
Posted inStater Bros. Markets, Corporate Store News, Executive News, West
Stater Bros. Markets Names Calvin As SVP, CMO
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets has appointed Rebecca Calvin as SVP and CMO, due to the upcoming retirement of Dennis McIntyre. Calvin will begin her role on Sept. 26, reporting to Pete Van Helden, CEO. She will also serve on the company’s executive leadership team. Calvin will lead the company’s marketing efforts which include the […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Bako Sweet Concludes Summer Merchandising Contest
Bakersfield, California-based Bako Sweet has concluded its retail merchandising contest that ran May 20-July 4. Produce managers from Sprouts Colton Distribution Center were challenged to create the most creative displays using the brand’s organic sweet potato bags and Traeger grill-themed bin to promote sweet potato consumption during historically low sales months. As a result, stores that […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Research Shows Prunes Help Support Bone Health
Yuba City, California-based Sunsweet Growers has continually shared information about prunes’ impact on bone health through multiple research studies. In a recently published study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers have found that eating five to six prunes a day over 12 months preserved bone hip mineral density and reduced hip fracture risk in […]
Posted inBashas', Anniversary Issues, Food Industry Hall of Fame, West
Bashas’ Stores Known For Scratch‑Made Donuts, Fresh Foods
The Shelby Report of the West’s EVP Bob Reeves recently toured a Bashas’ store in Chandler, Arizona, where he was accompanied by Ralph Woodward, SVP of operations for Bashas’ Family of Stores; Team Leader Kris Greco and David Herrera, director of operations for the conventional Bashas’ stores. The Starbucks kiosk was the first stop, where […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Smart & Final To Hold Annual Fundraising Campaign
Los Angeles-based Smart & Final is holding its annual fundraiser benefiting City of Hope’s Kids 4 Hope program. City of Hope focuses on the treatment of cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Through Sept. 6, customers can donate at all Smart & Final locations in California, Arizona and Nevada, with all proceeds going to the Kids 4 Hope […]
Posted inBashas', Anniversary Issues, Food Industry Hall of Fame, West
Raley’s’ Acquisition Helps Bashas’ Become ‘Best, Better Version’
Bashas’ Family of Stores was sold to The Raley’s Companies in late 2021. Keith Knopf, president and CEO of the Northern California-based organization, and Trey Basha, president of Bashas’, recently sat down with The Shelby Report of the West’s EVP Bob Reeves to talk about the acquisition and the future of Bashas’. Knopf, who had […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Wholesum Celebrates 10 Years Of Fair Trade Certification
Amado, Arizona-based Wholesum is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of Fair Trade Certification. The company has maintained a commitment to sustainability, including 100 percent organic production. In 2012, the company solidified those commitments by obtaining Fair Trade Certification through the third-party certifier, Fair Trade USA. “More than 30 years ago, we began our transition to 100 percent […]
Posted inPackaging News, Market Profile, West
New Law Requires Retailers To Reduce Single-Use Plastics
The California Grocers Association is keeping its eye on two laws that could change the way retailers conduct business and how businesses outside of the state work with the retailers. Senate Bill 54, or the Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act, is the first of the measures. It took effect June 30 and requires retailers to decrease […]
Posted inProduce News, West
GrubMarket Acquires Frantoni, Granite State Software
San Francisco-based GrubMarket has completed the acquisitions of New York-based Frantoni Corporation and Kansas-based Granite State Software. Both companies are led by software veterans with decades of industry experience in the fresh produce space. Founded nearly 40 years ago, GSS is managed by software engineer Glenn Sherman, who joined GSS in 1990 and took over ownership of the […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Anniversary Issues, Bashas', Special Section, West
Late Eddie Basha Jr. Inducted Into Food Industry Hall Of Fame
The late Eddie Basha Jr. has been inducted into The Shelby Report’s Food Industry Hall of Fame. Basha Jr. died in 2013 at the age of 75. Born in 1937 in Arizona, he carried on the family legacy of operating Bashas’ Supermarkets, growing the company and acquiring Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods. Trey Basha, […]
Posted inRaley's, Corporate Store News, Grocery Store Layout, West
Raley’s Reopens Bel Air Location With New Offerings
Raley’s has reopened its store in Bel Air, California, with a grand opening celebration Aug. 19 that included community leaders and customers. The Raley’s offers a variety of natural and organic products across all departments, as well as local staples at affordable prices. The kitchen offers a selection of grab-and-go prepared foods, chef-crafted sandwiches, dim sum and noodle […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Bellwether Farms Wins Medals From American Cheese Society
Petaluma, California-based Bellwether Farms has won several awards from the American Cheese Society in its annual Judging & Competition Awards. The new Fresh Sheep Cheese Log – Original earned a gold medal in the fresh rindless sheep’s milk cheese aged 0 to 30 days category, and the Fresh Sheep Cheese Log – Sonoma Herb earned a gold medal in the sheep cheese with […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Awards $253K In Employee Scholarships
Vallarta Supermarkets, one of the largest Latino-owned supermarket chains in California, and The Gonzalez Family Foundation have awarded several employees and their dependents $253,000 in scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year. “Investing in the future educational success of our employees and their families is important to Vallarta. We believe education is key and are extremely proud […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Fig Growers Celebrate Beginning Of Crop Season
Fresh Fig season is officially underway, according to the California Fresh Fig Growers Association. This year’s initial crop, known as the breba crop, delivered the first Mission figs of the season May-June. The main crop, now underway, is delivering plump varieties, such as Brown Turkeys and Sierras. Additional varieties will continue to become available through […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., BJ's Wholesale Club, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Meat District Debuts Burgers In Kroger, Celebrates With Giveaway
Los Angeles-based Meat District has expanded its burger distribution to the meat aisle of Kroger grocery stores nationwide. To celebrate the expansion, Meat District is giving away $10,000 in a contest. “Our partnership with Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, marks a major milestone for us. We’re thrilled and honored to be partnering with Kroger,” said Zack Leveson, COO […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, West
Fiji Water Transitions Bottle To Recycled Plastic
Los Angeles-based Fiji Water has transitioned its 500 milliliters and 330 milliliters bottles to 100 percent recycled plastic in the U.S. The move is a step in reducing plastic waste and replaces almost 65 percent of Fiji Water’s bottle volume in the U.S. with recycled material. The company is committed to continue shifting its entire portfolio […]
Posted inBeverage News, Albertsons, West
Talking Rain, Olive Crest Partner For Donation Campaign
Throughout August, with the purchase of every bottle of Talking Rain’s Sparkling Ice sold in select Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in Southern California, the company will donate .10 cents to Olive Crest. “Every child deserves safety and security. At Talking Rain, we believe in doing our part to enrich our communities and build a […]