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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Expands Free Curbside Prescription Pickup Nationwide
Albertsons Companies Inc. has expanded its DriveUp & Go to include free curbside pickup for eligible pharmacy prescriptions nationwide. Customers can get medications without waiting in line or leaving their vehicles at more than 1,700 participating store and pharmacy locations. “At Albertsons Cos., our focus is making health care simpler and more convenient for the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Town & Country Markets Introduces Limited-Edition Artist Mug Collection
Town & Country Markets is launching a limited-edition collection of insulated mugs created in collaboration with Pacific Northwest artists and inspired by the character, history and landmarks of the communities surrounding the grocer’s six locations. Town & Country partnered with MiiR, a Seattle-based, certified B Corporation committed to transparency, sustainability and giving back, in alignment […]
Posted inInternational Foods, News, West
Marquez Brothers Brands Win Top Honors At World Cheese Contest
Marquez Brothers International Inc. announced that two of its dairy brands received multiple awards at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest. The family-owned company’s flagship El Mexicano brand and its YoGusto brand were honored in several categories at the global dairy competition. The El Mexicano brand received Best of Class for its Queso Cotija in […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Achieves 1,070% ROI With Logile
Vallarta Supermarkets generated a 1,070 percent return on investment after implementing Fresh Inventory Management technology from Logile Inc., according to a new ROI Case Study report by Nucleus Research. After changing how it forecasted demand, reduced spoilage and aligned fresh production with sales, Vallarta recovered its investment in 15 months and generated more than $10 […]
Posted inProduce News, News, West
Charlie’s Produce Breaks Ground On New Facility In Spokane, WA
Employee-owned distributor Charlie’s Produce has broken ground on a new 66,000-square-foot facility in Spokane, Washington, designed to strengthen warehouse efficiency, support growth and enhance service across its regional distribution network. The new building will include 56,000 square feet of warehouse space, with the remaining 10,000 square feet to be used for offices. Construction is projected […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
Market Of Choice Celebrates 10 Years Of MOJO Program
Market of Choice is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its local incubator program, MOJO, which has helped hundreds of Oregon makers bring thousands of products to market. Addressing historical barriers that small businesses face, MOJO provides product development consulting, distribution support and promotions. Program provides critical path to market Market of Choice has played a […]
Posted inMarketing News, Featured News, News, West
FISMC Women In Food Event Raises $8K For Olive Crest, UNFI Foundation
The Food Industry Sales and Marketing Club held its annual Women in the Food Industry event March 10 at Anaheim Hills Golf Course, raising $8,000 for industry charitable partners while recognizing two leaders – Rhonda Tagge of Olive Crest and Jennifer McDonald of UNFI – whose work continues to impact the grocery industry community. Through […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Town & Country Markets Honored With Environmental, Sustainability Award
Town & Country Markets has been recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s annual Environmental and Sustainability Awards, honored for making impact through environmental leadership, innovation and stewardship in the region. The family-owned grocer operates six family-owned markets across the greater Seattle region. Its award-winning practices include an 80 percent waste diversion rate through recycling, […]