NGA’s slogan is “At the heart of the community,” reflecting the important position that independent grocery stores have in so many communities around the country.
I’d go out on a limb and suggest a secondary tagline, “Always looking forward,” because a significant part of NGA’s mission is to help its members prepare for whatever lies ahead. From consumer trend information to economic outlooks to guidance on regulatory compliance, the association helps grocers be better prepared to handle what awaits them around the next turn or over the horizon.
It’s why NGA’s Government Relations team remains on alert to advocate and advise on policy matters. It’s why the NGA Foundation’s Technical Assistance Center and SEMTAC are ready to assist with nutrition incentive programs and SNAP Online. And it’s why so many of NGA’s webinars are about money matters, regulatory compliance, food safety and traceability, and turnkey solutions for making it easier to do business.
So, it stands to reason that Independent Grocer, NGA’s member magazine, would offer a similar blueprint for its long-form print content delivered three times a year.
For example, September is National Workforce Development Month, so to keep this crucial labor issue top of mind, IG sought out the perspectives of experts within the industry.
Instacart’s Nick Nickitas advises, “By leveraging tech to innovate stores and enhance both employee and customer experiences, grocers can position themselves as attractive career destinations for this tech-savvy generation.” And Carol Loy at Harps Food Stores says, “You have to give them a clear picture of your corporate ladder and how they fit into that puzzle.”
October is Cybersecurity Month, and with e-commerce continuing to be embraced by consumers, retailers must ensure their online platforms are secure or they risk losing trust, and with it goes sales.
“Imagine the chaos of 10,000-plus grocery stores going offline overnight and remaining affected for weeks, if not months,” cybersecurity expert Ken Andrews says in the magazine’s summer issue. “Those kinds of headlines will draw significant attention, causing public panic and providing hackers with more power to demand a ransom.”
The Summer 2024 issue of Independent Grocer also includes some regular features, including a financial outlook from Bob Graybill at FMS Solutions and a marketing outlook that offers ideas on food and flavor trends for fall and winter, and into 2025.
That’s in addition to the growth strategies and best practices you’ll read about in our profile of Southern California-based supermarket chain Superior Grocers and the insights from a long and diverse career shared in an interview with AWG CEO Dan Funk.
Read it all in the Summer 2024 issue of Independent Grocer, on your desk via U.S. Mail or online.
[RELATED: NGA, UNFI Release FDA Traceability Guide For Members]
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