Wakefern Food Corp. has appointed Travis Riepenhoff as group VP of fresh divisions, succeeding Mark Van Buskirk, who has become group VP of center store. In his new role, Riepenhoff will oversee Wakefern’s fresh food divisions, including foodservice, bakery, meat, seafood, produce and floral. He will lead efforts to maintain Wakefern’s standards for quality, innovation […]
Tag: leadership
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: ‘The 5 Rules’ For Winning The Holidays
For all of us that are grocery retailers, November and December aren’t just regular months. They’re the two biggest sales months of the year – not by a little, by a lot. And it can be overwhelming for our teams and customers. Remember one of my top leadership lessons for success: We take care of […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Disruptive Kindness
It’s been an interesting journey since publishing my book on “The 5 Rules” in January of 2024 and speaking and coaching on these rules across many organizations since then. There has been one question that comes up on many occasions that I’d like to expand on for this month’s leadership teaching. But first, just as […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: If You’re Going To Be A Bear, Be A Grizzly
“If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” This saying is one of my earliest learnings on how to be successful. It was during my early years at United Supermarkets of Oklahoma, where I spent the first 27 years of my career. I went from being a produce manager to assistant manager and […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Learning To Lead Like A National Park Guide
We recently went on a graduation celebration trip with our oldest grandson, Dax Graham Black, to Mesa Verde National Park. We had two different guides take us through a couple of the main attractions there – the Cliff House and the Balcony House. I had this thought as they inspired and educated us on how […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Please, Please Don’t Ignore Me
Below are two monumental pieces of information for those of us in the grocery business to consider in 2025 and beyond: In 2023, the grocery store industry in the United States spent $2.04 billion on advertising, up from $1.94 million a year earlier. That represents an annual increase of about 5 percent. Grocery shopping in […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, News, Southwest
Upshop Appoints Sanders As CEO To Accelerate Innovation
Austin, Texas-based Upshop has appointed Mike Sanders as CEO, with predecessor Shamus Hines transitioning to a strategic board role, helping guide the company’s continued global expansion. Under Hines’ leadership over the last eight years, Upshop has grown into the global leader in unified store operations, achieving: The industry’s first fully unified SaaS platform for food […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Grateful To Mom For Strong Work Ethic
In the days of old when most children worked alongside their parents, taking care of the house or farm chores or in other businesses, there were multiple moments in every single day that a good work ethic was learned, taught and lived. I would guess that anyone over age 50 could tell story after story […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Leadership: Be A River – Not A Reservoir
Out-of-date leadership is associated with authority, decision-making and control. However, the most effective and true leaders understand that their role is not to accumulate power for themselves but to channel it outward by empowering, inspiring and serving others. This principle is best captured in the metaphor, be a river – not a reservoir. A river […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Southwest, Suppliers
Kellogg’s CCO Salmon Heading To Simmons Foods
After 22 years with the Kellogg Co., Chief Customer Officer Scott Salmon is leaving the breakfast and snacking company for a leadership role with Simmons Foods, based in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. “We thank Scott for the many contributions he has made during his more than two decades with Kellogg,” said Chris Hood, Kellogg North America […]
Posted inSuppliers, Beverage News, Food Service News, Home Page Slider, Southeast, Supply Chain News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Reorganizes Supply Chain Team
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, a distributor of beverage alcohol based in Miami, Florida, has reorganized its supply chain team to better leverage its senior leaders to drive improved operational execution and enhanced talent development across all U.S. markets. As part of this organizational change, the following promotions were effective Feb. 1: David Gneo has […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Makes Changes To Senior Management Team
United Natural Foods has made a number of changes within the company’s senior management team. It also has extended the employment agreement of Chairman and CEO Steven L. Spinner through July 31, 2021. “Our vision for industry transformation is taking hold as we continue to integrate and provide our customers with scale, services and differentiated […]
Posted inHome Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest, Store News
Meijer Hudsonville Store Director Among 10 Finalists For 2019 FMI Store Manager Awards
Meijer Store Director Henry Samaniego, in Hudsonville, Michigan, is among 10 finalists for the 2019 Food Marketing Institute’s Store Manager Awards. The award celebrates store managers across the country who generate sales growth, provide great customer service and play an integral role in the community. This year, more than 80 individuals were nominated for the […]
Posted inDairy News, Executive News, Grocery News, Guest Contributors, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content
An Interview With Topco’s Liebich About Leadership
The Shelby Report and The Grocery Group this month introduce a new column series called “Emerging Leaders” that focuses on current and future leadership in the grocery industry. In this first installment, The Grocery Group Founder and CEO Cindy Sorensen interviews Jamie Liebich, dairy category director for Topco. Sorensen’s questions are in bold. Jamie, congratulations […]
Posted inBeverage News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Northeast
PepsiCo North America’s CEO Is Retiring Next Year
PepsiCo North America’s CEO Albert P. Carey will retire at the end of March 2019 after nearly four decades with the company. Vivek Sankaran, who currently serves as president and chief operating officer of Frito-Lay North America, will become its CEO, and Kirk Tanner, who currently serves as president and chief operating officer of North America Beverages, will become its CEO. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, West
Sprouts’ Sanders Speaks To NEW Southern California About Leadership
“Equipped to lead” was the theme of an Oct. 11 meeting of the NEW (Network of Executive Women) Southern California chapter and keynote speaker Dan Sanders, COO of Sprouts, came equipped with quite a leadership resume. Moderator Mike Hendry, EVP of merchandising and marketing for Northgate Gonzalez Markets, introduced Sanders as a proven leader specializing […]
Posted inIndustry News, National
The Keys To Effective Teamwork
Sponsored content by Movista / a Software as a Service company Leading an effective team can require some finesse and the right insights to motivate people and get everyone moving in the right direction—toward success. To lead an effective team, it’s important to get everyone focused on the goal line. The best way to achieve this? Communication. […]
Posted in, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, National
Kafarakis Named Specialty Food Association’s New President
The board of directors of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) has named Phillip M. Kafarakis as president of the not-for-profit trade association. Kafarakis brings more than 30 years of food industry experience to SFA, with a background in brand management, membership development and strategic planning. Since May 2013, Kafarakis served as chief innovation and member […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, International Foods, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
FMI’s Sarasin On FMI Connect: ‘We’re Committed To Boldness And Agility’
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement today on the trajectory of FMI Connect, which was held this week in Chicago: “The competitive landscape of food retail is undergoing an unprecedented time of change, which substantiates the need for a venue that allows the entire industry to do […]
Posted in, Bakery News, Deli News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Perishables
Survey: How Much Would You Invest In Your Deli/Bakery Department Manager?
by Lorrie Griffith/editor At what level in your company’s hierarchy do you feel comfortable spending money for team members to go to conferences, conventions and workshops to enhance their job performance? While a lot of companies don’t hesitate to send upper- and mid-level executives to these kinds of events, there can be hesitation when it […]