Advertise on podcast: Shelf Confidence

The Pennsylvania Lottery is approaching its 55th anniversary, and the games, players, and retail landscape continue to evolve. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, Drew Svitko and Eric Grubbs return to talk about what’s new, including Cash Pop, Millionaire for Life, and updates from the Retailer Incentive Program. We also discuss how player habits are changing, what successful Lottery retailers are doing well, how the Lottery competes for attention in a crowded entertainment market, and what the future may look like for retailers and players across Pennsylvania. #palottery ​ If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Loss prevention is not just about what happens after something goes wrong. It is about helping businesses identify risks, strengthen procedures and prevent losses before they happen.  In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we talk with Angel Ross, Commercial Insurance Advisor at PFMA Member Spotts Insurance, about loss prevention through the lens of risk management. The conversation explores how food and beverage businesses, from farmers and distributors to retailers and restaurants, can protect their employees, customers and operations through stronger processes, ongoing training, documentation and emerging technology.  Ross also discusses why insurance advisors often look beyond legal requirements, what businesses can learn from claims trends and how proactive planning can help reduce risk across the industry. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Sales and use tax can be complicated, especially for food and beverage businesses operating in Pennsylvania. From equipment and supplies to invoices, purchases and changing business needs, small mistakes can add up over time.  In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we sit down with Corey Deibler, President of PFMA Member #KeyTax, and Michael Schuenemann, VP of Partnerships & Market Expansion at KeyTax, to break down the basics of sales and use tax reverse audits. Corey and Michael explain what a reverse audit is, why overpayments happen, and how businesses can take a closer look at their records without turning the process into a major disruption.  This conversation is designed to help PFMA members better understand a niche but important area of tax compliance. From common misconceptions to real-world stories, Corey and Michael share practical insight into how food and beverage businesses can identify potential overpayments, recover funds when appropriate, and make more informed decisions moving forward. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Retail technology is moving quickly, but for many small and mid-sized operators, the challenge is not chasing every new tool. It is knowing what actually makes sense for their stores, their teams, and their customers.  In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we sit down with Farrell McKenna, President of PFMA Member Ravyx, to talk about how food and beverage retailers can think more clearly about modernization. From POS systems and self-checkout to electronic shelf labels, robotics, data, and implementation, Farrell shares insight into what retailers are facing, what technology can realistically solve, and where operators should be cautious about hype.  The conversation also explores how independent and mid-sized retailers can balance innovation with personal service, how staff buy-in shapes successful rollouts, and what the next few years may look like for stores trying to stay competitive without overcomplicating their operations. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Recycling is part of daily life for food and beverage businesses, but building a program that actually works can be easier said than done. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, we sit down with Doug Moderick, Senior Account Executive at PFMA Member Gateway Recycling, to talk about commercial recycling, sustainability, common challenges, and practical ways businesses can manage materials more effectively.  With more than 14 years of experience in the recycling industry, Doug helps break down what businesses need to know, from avoiding common mistakes to understanding how recycling programs can support cleaner, safer, and more efficient operations. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

On this episode of Shelf Confidence, we talk with PFMA Member Vintage Imports about the changing beverage industry in Pennsylvania. Guests Michael Hodges, Dan Johnson and Trevor Nare join the show to discuss how wine, spirits and specialty beverages move through the wholesale and retail landscape, and what makes a strong wine program work. The conversation also looks at emerging beverage trends, including RTDs, non-alcoholic options, THC, CBD and other beverages. From grocery and retail to on-premise trends and Wine Expanded Permit program development, the Vintage Imports team shares insight into what retailers should consider as they build beverage programs that are practical, profitable and responsive to today’s customer.  #VintageImportsWines ​ If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Human trafficking is a serious issue that can happen in plain sight, making awareness and training critical for industries that interact with the public every day. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, PFMA is joined by Philadelphia City Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad; Marisa Balanda, Deputy Policy Director at PennDOT; and Laura Cyrus, Senior Director of Industry Training and Outreach at TAT, for a conversation about human trafficking awareness, prevention and response. The discussion explores how trafficking can intersect with transportation networks, major events, convenience stores, fuel retailers, delivery operations and other frontline businesses. Guests also share insight on the importance of recognizing warning signs, reporting concerns safely and equipping employees with the tools they need to respond appropriately. For food and beverage retailers, transportation professionals and community partners, this episode highlights how awareness, preparation and industry collaboration can help protect vulnerable people and strengthen communities across Pennsylvania. #tatnonprofit #PennsylvaniaDOT ​ If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Access to food is about more than supply. It is about logistics, reliability, and meeting people where they are. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Daniel Riff, Head of Government and Nonprofit Operations at PFMA member DoorDash, and Stuart I.R. Haniff, Executive Director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, to discuss Project DASH and the expansion of home-delivered food access across the Commonwealth. The conversation explores how DoorDash’s logistics platform works alongside food banks and nonprofit partners to support seniors, individuals with mobility challenges, and households facing transportation barriers. It also examines how Project DASH complements programs such as TEFAP and the State Food Purchase Program, and how retailers, wholesalers, and service providers can support Food as Medicine and hunger-relief delivery initiatives. For operators, this episode provides a practical look at how technology, partnerships, and coordination across the food system are helping strengthen access while reinforcing dignity and reliability for families statewide. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Agentic AI is moving from concept to real-world operations in retail. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Mike Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of PFMA member Upshop, to break down what agentic AI actually means for day-to-day operations in the Food and Beverage Industry. The conversation explores how autonomous and semi-autonomous AI tools are being used to reduce friction, improve decision-making, and help store teams operate faster and more accurately. From inventory and shrink to execution and checkout flow, Mike shares where AI is delivering measurable value today, where it still requires guardrails, and what operators should realistically be thinking about as these tools become more common. For retailers navigating labor pressure, cost management, and operational complexity, this episode offers a practical look at how technology can support teams without replacing the people who make the business run. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Energy is one of the most critical inputs in the Food and Beverage Industry, yet it is often one of the least understood. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Cheryl Hefft, Senior Manager at PFMA member World Kinect, and Jude Clemente, Energy Price Risk Manager, to discuss how operators can approach energy and fuel decisions more strategically. The conversation explores how price volatility affects grocery stores, distributors, wholesalers, and convenience retailers, and what advantages a consultant can bring compared to managing energy procurement alone. From bill audits and contract language to market monitoring and long-term planning, this episode breaks down practical steps businesses can take to better manage cost and risk. For operators looking to protect margins and build more resilient operations, this discussion offers a clearer view of how energy strategy fits into overall business planning. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Employee benefits and insurance decisions can feel complex, especially in the Food and Beverage Industry where margins are tight and workforces are diverse. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Robert Stoudt, Employee Benefits Consultant at PFMA member Assured Partners, to break down how food and beverage employers can approach benefits strategy with more clarity and confidence. The conversation explores what makes this workforce unique, common misconceptions about benefits planning, and practical steps operators of all sizes can take to manage costs, reduce risk, and better support their teams. From understanding plan structures to identifying overlooked coverage gaps, this episode offers a straightforward look at making smarter decisions without getting lost in technical language. For operators focused on workforce stability and long-term planning, this discussion provides practical insight into one of the most important — and often most confusing — areas of business operations. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Food insecurity and food waste often exist side by side — and the Food and Beverage Industry sits at the center of both challenges. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Evan Ehlers, Founder and Executive Director of PFMA member Sharing Excess, to explore how surplus food can move quickly and efficiently to communities that need it most. Evan shares how Sharing Excess grew from a small idea into a statewide food recovery operation working directly with retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. The conversation covers logistical barriers to donation, how recovery partnerships can scale without adding operational burden, and where SNAP households fit into the larger food access conversation. For operators, this episode offers a practical look at how reducing waste can also strengthen communities — and how collaboration across the supply chain can create measurable impact statewide. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Sustainability and energy innovation are becoming increasingly important for food and beverage businesses across Pennsylvania. In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Luca Pandolfi, Founder of PFMA member Woodland Biomass Innovations, to explore how renewable fuels and forest-based solutions could intersect with the Food and Beverage Industry. Luca explains how Woodland Biomass Innovations converts low-grade woody biomass into drop-in renewable fuels and biochar, while supporting forest health and local economic development. The conversation examines how emerging energy solutions may affect transportation and logistics, how retailers can think about long-term sustainability strategy, and what realistic energy innovation looks like for operators today. For retailers and suppliers looking to better understand the future of renewable energy in Pennsylvania, this episode offers a practical look at where sustainability, infrastructure, and business strategy meet. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Shelf Confidence, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association sits down with Ray Sheehan, Founder of PFMA member Old City Media, to explore how experiential marketing helps brands connect directly with consumers in meaningful, measurable ways. Ray shares how Old City Media grew into a national experiential marketing partner, working with retailers and brands to create in-store activations, community engagement programs, and live events that drive real results. The conversation covers shopper engagement in crowded retail environments, common visibility challenges brands face, and how human-centered marketing strategies can build stronger connections and long-term loyalty. For retailers and industry partners, this episode offers practical insight into how experiential marketing can complement traditional strategies and create memorable customer experiences where it matters most. Presented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!

Food insecurity touches every corner of Pennsylvania, and addressing it requires strong coordination across the entire food system. In the Season 9 premiere of Shelf Confidence, we’re joined by Feeding Pennsylvania, the statewide network of food banks serving all 67 counties across the Commonwealth. Julie Bancroft, Chief Executive Officer, and Ryan Prater, Director of Public Policy, join the conversation to discuss how Feeding PA supports families, partners with retailers and suppliers, and advocates for effective hunger relief policy. This episode explores the critical role of SNAP, common misconceptions about food access, the growing importance of food rescue and recovery, and how collaboration between food banks and the Food and Beverage Industry strengthens communities statewide. For operators, this is a practical look at how partnership across the supply chain can make a measurable difference for families while supporting a stronger, more resilient food system. If you enjoy Shelf Confidence, please subscribe and share. Thanks for listening!