April 16 proved an eventful day for the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation as it inducted three industry veterans into its Hall of Achievement and raised more than $500,000 to help fund its college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. With the latest contributions, the CGAEF has secured about $1,025,000 in scholarship commitments this year, bringing […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
Kent’s Market Hosts Meals For Military Event On Armed Forces Day
Kent’s Market commemorated Armed Forces Day by hosting its annual Meals for Military event in partnership with Operation Homefront, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and dozens of national and local vendors. On May 16, volunteers lined up to greet more than 400 military families, many of whom are lower-income service members stationed at nearby Hill Air […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, News, West
The Raley’s Companies Launches In-Store RMN With Grocery TV
The Raley’s Companies has launched an in-store retail media network with Grocery TV at more than 200 stores – spanning the Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill, Bashas’, Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods banners – in California, Nevada and Arizona. The partnership extends West Sacramento, California-based grocer’s retail media strategy into the physical store environment, connecting […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
T&T Supermarket To Open First CA Location June 18 In San Jose
T&T Supermarket will celebrate the grand opening of its first California location June 18 at Westgate Center in San Jose. The store marks a milestone in the Canadian company’s U.S. expansion, bringing one of North America’s largest Asian grocery experiences to Silicon Valley. Located at Saratoga Avenue and Prospect Road, it will serve as T&T’s […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
From Mashups To Mochi: Most Innovative Sweets, Snacks Revealed
The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced the winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards on May 18, recognizing the most innovative candy and snack products shaping the future of the industry. With nearly 500 products entered this year – the largest field in program history – the awards spotlight breakthrough innovation, emerging trends […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Featured News, News, West
WAFC Elects 2026-27 Leadership During Annual Convention
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced its 2026-27 officers and board of directors, elected May 3-5 at the 2026 WAFC Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Rebecca Calvin, EVP and CMO of Stater Bros. Markets, was elected president chairperson. Other officers include: Vice President: Wendy Coldesina, VP general merchandise manager, Costco Wholesale; Treasurer: […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
Sweets & Snacks Expo Expects Record Attendance In Las Vegas
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo is shaping up to be a landmark event as the candy and snack industry gathers for the first time in Las Vegas, with attendance trending toward an all-time high, according to show organizer National Confectioners Association (NCA). The expo runs May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More […]
Posted inInternational Foods, Executive News, News, West
Ajinomoto Foods North America Names Gardner President, CEO
Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. (AFNA), a specialty frozen food manufacturer, has appointed Dave Gardner president and CEO. Gardner, who joined AFNA in 2022 as chief supply chain officer, succeeds Hiroshi Kaho, who has been promoted to executive officer and EVP, chief human resources officer for Tokyo-based parent company Ajinomoto Co. Inc. Kaho led AFNA […]
Posted inNews, Bashas', Independent Store News, West
Food City Positions Itself As One-Stop Graduation Headquarters
As graduation season ramps up across Arizona, Food City is positioning its 45 stores as a single destination for families looking to celebrate on a budget. From made-from-scratch graduation cakes and party platters to gift cards and festive supplies, the Bashas’-owned Hispanic banner is rolling out a suite of promotions designed to help customers honor […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Deploys AI Vision Tool To Boost Produce Consistency Across DCs
Albertsons Companies has launched an artificial intelligence-powered supply chain tool designed to help distribution center inspectors maintain tighter quality control over fresh fruits and vegetables. The Intelligent Quality Control tool, built in-house by Albertsons’ technology and supply chain teams, uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise (including Vision AI and Gemini models) to support quality inspectors. The […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Market of Choice Completes Basics Market Acquisition, Plans Store Refresh
Market of Choice has completed its acquisition of Basics Market in Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood, adding a fifth location in the metro area and bringing the company’s total statewide footprint to 13 stores. The transition to Market of Choice is expected to take place June 23, with no store closure planned. The deal, announced in January, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, West
Sprouts To Open New Market In Santa Maria, CA
Sprouts Farmers Market will open a new store May 15 at 2170 S. Bradley Road in Santa Maria, California. “The city of Santa Maria is excited for the opening of Sprouts as it is a business that many of our residents look forward to having within our community,” said Mayor Alice Patino. “Sprouts is a wonderful […]
Posted inFinance News, Hy-Vee, News, Online Grocery Technology, Raley's, West, Woodman’s
Instacart Reaches $1B In Total Revenue For First Time
Instacart achieved two first-time financial milestones in the first quarter, chalking them up to “continuously improving what matters most to consumers: selection, quality, affordability and convenience.” GTV, or gross transaction value, was up 13 percent to hit $10.29 billion on 91.2 million orders (up 10 percent), and total revenue reached $1.02 billion, an increase of […]
Posted inInternational Foods, Featured News, News, West
99 Ranch Market Begins Marketing Campaign For AAPI Heritage Month
99 Ranch Market is launching “Raised by 99 Ranch,” a social media-driven campaign that celebrates the brand as a living archive of memory, identity and belonging. The campaign, timed with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, is built on the premise that for many families, 99 Ranch isn’t just where they shopped; it’s […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Stater Bros. Markets, West
In-Store Media, POS Upgrades Coming To Stater Bros.
Stater Bros. Markets is making technology investments through two new partnerships that will modernize how it engages shoppers and operates its stores. The 90-year-old grocer is working with In-Store Marketplace to bring programmatic in-store media to its locations. It also has an agreement with NCR Voyix to deploy next-generation point-of-sale and payments solutions across its […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, News, U.R.M. Stores, West
RSA America, URM Stores Begin Digital Transformation Partnership
RSA America has partnered with URM Stores Inc., a Spokane, Washington-based retailer-owned wholesaler supporting about 265 independent grocery retailers across the Pacific Northwest. Through the partnership, URM is deploying a centrally managed loyalty, digital marketing, retail media and artificial intelligence-enabled commerce platform designed to provide enterprise-level intelligence and execution capabilities to retailers of all sizes. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, West
Save Mart Adds Sushi Chef, Butcher To Remodeled Store In Ripon, CA
The Save Mart Companies held a community celebration April 29 at the remodeled Save Mart store in Ripon, California. Located at 1453 Goodwin Drive, the updated store introduces a range of new amenities and expanded product offerings designed to enhance the shopping experience and meet the evolving needs of the local community. Customers will find […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Bi-Rite Market Plans ‘Walkable’ Store In San Fran’s Richmond District
Bi-Rite Family of Businesses is planning for a new Bi-Rite Market at 6001 California St. in San Francisco’s Richmond District, with a target opening timeline of 2027. The future market will be the company’s fourth neighborhood grocery store and builds on the success of Bi-Rite Market Polk Street, which opened in 2024. The effort reflects […]