Bobby McDowell, VP of store operations for Lucky California, got his start in the industry in 1983 with Skaggs Alpha Beta. He has worked his way up through the ranks and has worked with a couple of different companies over his career, including box-format stores. His aunt worked at Alpha Beta and got him a […]
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 inPlant-Based News, West
Abbot’s Butcher Expands Distribution To Three Major Retailers
Costa Mesa, California-based Abbot’s Butcher has expanded its distribution at Target, with the retailer carrying Abbot’s Butcher’s “Chorizo” at 1,215 stores nationwide. Additionally, Abbot’s Butcher can now be found in 159 The Fresh Market stores and 73 Fresh Thyme stores with its portfolio of plant-based products, including “Chorizo,” Ground “Beef” and Chopped Chick’n. Kerry Song, […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Nonfood Items, West
Non-Food, Alcohol And Pharmacy Important To The Save Mart Shoppers
Dave Herbers, VP of non-food, alcohol and pharmacy for The Save Mart Companies, was on a different path before he joined the grocery industry. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, he attended Miami University in Ohio and majored in math and statistics. After a stint with General Electric, he “spent 13 fantastic years in the food […]
Posted inMarketing News, Bashas', West
Bashas’ Stores To Hold Pop-Up Hiring Event May 21
Bashas’ Family of Stores is holding pop-up hiring events May 21 at all of its grocery stores in Arizona and New Mexico, in addition to its distribution center in Chandler. On this day, each location will have a welcome table with signage and a table for on-the-spot interviews so that managers can hire job applicants immediately. […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Groceries On The Go To Save Mart Customers, Anywhere, At Any Time
The Save Mart Companies offer an on-demand grocery delivery service to customers in partnership with robot delivery company Starship Technologies. The Save Mart Cos. was the first grocer in the U.S. to work with Starship Technologies, according to a previous article of The Shelby Report. The debut of the advanced contactless delivery service embraced the […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Merchandising News, West
Local Merchandising Essential To The Save Mart’s Neighborhood Identity
James Gillespie is senior director of local merchandising at The Save Mart Companies. He acknowledges it’s a department not found at most retailers. The local merchandising department tries to find those products that are important to local shoppers in each neighborhood. “It’s about getting our stores to be merchandised to the neighborhood to what our consumers […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, West
Sparkling Ice Launches New Flavors, Packaging For ‘Cheers To Heroes’
Seattle, Washington-based Talking Rain Beverage Company, the maker of Sparkling Ice beverages, has launched its third annual “Cheers to Heroes” campaign to honor and celebrate America’s veterans. This year’s campaign will have a focus on saluting U.S. veterans by partnering with two charitable organizations, Honor Flight Network and Homes For Our Troops, using new flavor launches to […]
Posted inPackaging News, Snacks Brands, West
Fresh Cravings Rebrands, Introduces New Flavors, Donates $250K
Phoenix, Arizona-based Fresh Cravings, a family-owned snacking brand, has debuted a new look and expanded its portfolio of hummus products at Walmart stores. Sporting all new packaging and brand imagery, Fresh Cravings Everything Bagel, Honey Jalapeño and Spicy Red Pepper Hummus join its three original flavors: Roasted Red Pepper, Classic and Roasted Garlic, in the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Advantage Solutions Acquires Brandshare From Investors
Irvine, California-based Advantage Solutions has acquired Brandshare, a provider of omnichannel brand experiences through product sampling and digital engagement, from private equity investors Aperion Management, Leeds Novamark Capital and Ocean Avenue Capital Partners. Brandshare partners with consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers to bring to life e-commerce, venue-based and event-based sampling, digital marketing campaigns and […]
Posted inDairy News, Albertsons, Retailer of the Year, West
The Save Mart Co. Rooted In The Region, Understanding Of Customers
Zeb Early, VP of frozen, dairy, deli and dry grocery, has been with The Save Mart Companies for close to 20 years. He attended college at Chico State and, while there, started working for a grocery store on the night crew. He later worked with a small independent group that was acquired by Fleming, which […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Stater Bros. Markets, FirstFruits Donate 20K Pounds Of Apples
Stater Bros. Markets recently donated 20,000 pounds of apples to Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino as part of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program sponsored by FirstFruits Marketing of Washington. The donation helps local food banks to provide fruit to the underserved in the local community. “No one should ever go hungry, and everyone should have access to […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Cornerstones Of Communication, Connections And Cohesion
Headquartered in the heart of California’s Central Valley, The Save Mart Companies serves more than 200 communities across the state and neighboring Nevada. The company has been in business for 70 years with Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx and Maxx Value Food stores, distribution centers and a transportation facility employing more than 14,000 team […]
Posted inMarketing News, Bashas', West
Bashas’ To Commemorate Navajo Police Officers Day May 13
Arizona-based Bashas’ Diné Markets will honor the commitment and dedication of the Navajo Nation law enforcement community with complimentary treats on May 13 for Navajo Police Officer’s Day. The nine grocery stores on the Navajo Nation will serve free pumpkin cookies and donuts from their bakeries, as well as free 12-oz. coffees and 24-oz. soft […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, West
Select Save Mart Stores Serve As Innovation Labs
In 1952, the first Save Mart opened in Modesto, California, with the aim to offer Central Valley families the freshest food at the greatest value, according to the company’s website. “It was the foundation for Save Mart’s service-oriented grocery store experience. Since then, Save Mart has grown to 83 stores from Tehachapi to Chico and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, West
Albertsons Cos., Marketplacer Partner For Executive Fireside Chat
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has partnered with Marketplacer to present an executive fireside chat on May 11 titled, “The New State of Marketplaces and Their Opportunity for Growth,” at the Retail Innovation Conference in Chicago. The session features a discussion on the state of the industry between Jas Krdzalic, senior director of marketplace strategy at Albertsons Cos., and […]
Posted inSustainability News, West
3 Ways Grocery Leaders Support Sustainability
Sponsored Content Support for green grocery innovation has been gaining momentum across the industry. Kane McCord, host of the Fresh Thinking podcast, recently sat down with Mark Koppang, director of sustainability at Raley’s – a regional chain with 126 locations serving California and Nevada – to discuss environmental leadership in the grocery industry. Key takeaways […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, West
Save Mart CEO McGarry Finds Success On Unconventional Career Path
The grocery industry was not on The Save Mart Companies CEO Chris McGarry’s radar when planning his career. The New Jersey native attended Seton Hall University and earned three degrees: a bachelor’s in history, an MBA in finance and a law degree. “If you had asked me 30 years ago if I’d have a career […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Blue Ocean Barns Partners With Dairy Companies For Cattle Supplement
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii-based Blue Ocean Barns has partnered with three dairy companies – Ben & Jerry’s, Straus Family Creamery and Clover Sonoma – to begin rolling out its natural seaweed supplement for their cows as they move to cut the greenhouse gas footprint of their farm operations. The Blue Ocean Barns supplement, Brominata, is a dehydrated […]
Posted inC-Store News, West
Smart & Final Charitable Foundation Sponsors Free Books For Students
The Smart & Final Charitable Foundation recently sponsored special book fairs to provide three free books for every student at two California schools. The book fairs provided the collective 859 students at Heaton Elementary School in Fresno and Palm View Elementary School in Coachella with 2,535 free books for their home libraries. “The Smart & […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Four Star Fruit Reports Large Supply For Mexican Grape Season
Delano, California-based Four Star Fruit Inc. says it expects strong volume to supply this year’s Mexican table grape season. Each year, Four Star Fruit boasts year over year volume growth and this year, the company is expecting its volume growth to be 25-30 percent higher due to its Mexican grape program. Harvest began the first […]