On Aug. 29, the 4.5 percent Oklahoma state sales tax on groceries was eliminated. The bill was passed in February during the state legislative session. It is the largest tax cut in state history, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the office of Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, which said the […]
Author Archives: Lorrie Griffith
Lorrie began covering the supermarket and foodservice industries at Shelby Publishing in 1988, an English major fresh out of the University of Georgia. She started as an editorial assistant and proofreader—and, in spite of herself, she still proofreads everything, everywhere. Over more than three decades with Shelby, she held a variety of editorial roles. After a detour into business development, she rejoined Shelby in June 2024. “It’s good to be back covering the greatest industry in the world,” she says.
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
UFIA Inducts Peterson’s Market Owner Into Hall Of Fame
The Utah Food Industry Association, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, hosted its 2024 Annual Conference and Celebration Aug. 6 at the Davis County Conference Center. At the celebration, the association inducted Monte Peterson, owner of Peterson’s Market, into its Hall of Fame. Peterson learned his work ethic and the basics of the grocery business […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, The Kroger Co., West
Tech Jobs, Recreation Drawing Folks To Utah’s Wasatch Front
Dave Davis, president and CEO of the Utah Food Industry Association, said it’s good to live in Utah. There are several reasons for that. “Fiscally, we’re in a good place,” Davis said. “I think that both our legislative branch and our executive branch do a good job of managing the economy here in the state.” […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Giving Back Runs Deep With Kent’s Market In Utah
For Kent’s Market, being able to give back to its communities adds meaning to everything the business does. “We stock the shelves and sell groceries just to support giving back to the community,” said Kati Calhoun, VP of marketing for the grocer, which operates four stores in Utah – in Brigham City, Plain City, Roy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, West
Goodwin & Sons Market Reopens In Crestline, CA
Goodwin & Sons Market in Crestline, California, is back to serving customers after record snowfalls in the San Bernardino Mountains crushed the roof of the store in the wee hours of March 1, 2023. Eventually, the entire store collapsed, leading to the opportunity for a redesign. “We built, we believe, one of the most beautiful […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Southeast, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Attracting Workers Remains Challenge For Grocers Across Kentucky
Labor continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing the commonwealth’s grocers, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. “The one constant theme is they cannot find enough workers, especially in those skilled areas such as meat cutters and drivers to transport goods,” Griffin said. “They have […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, Feature, National
Aldi Wine Specialist: ‘We Know That We Can Deliver High Quality For Less’
Aldi is the fastest growing retailer of wine and beer. That’s according to Arlin Zajmi, director of national buying and certified wine specialist for Aldi, who flew to Atlanta from company headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, to participate in a store tour for journalists at the grocer’s store in Buckhead in mid-July. “The alcohol category has […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Officials Preview Fresh Produce & Floral Show
“Make the most of these three days in October.” That’s the advice of Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), referring to the 2024 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, coming up Oct. 17-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “We’re really excited to be in Georgia this year after […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southeast
Paducah, KY’s Midtown Market Rooted In Boston
Andrew “Andy” Carloss opened Midtown Market in Paducah, Kentucky, because the idea just wouldn’t leave him alone. Carloss was born and raised in Paducah and earned his business management degree from the University of Kentucky. He took a tech job in Boston after graduation, where he was able to bunk with his sister. While there, […]
Posted inFeature, Aldi, Corporate Store News, Southeast
‘Aldi Math’ Keeps Retailer Focused On Saving Customers Money
Aldi hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of its store in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta on July 17 to communicate how it can save area shoppers money – it estimates up to 40 percent – on groceries. The tour was hosted by Shaun O’Keefe, regional VP based out of the Aldi’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center. “What […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Laurel Grocery Co., Market Profile, Southeast, The Kroger Co., Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery Co. Keying On Retail Promotions To Boost Sales For Grocers
Laurel Grocery Co. is continually developing new merchandising and marketing programs for its retail customers as part of its commitment to always “think retail.” Based in London, Kentucky, Laurel Grocery Co. is a full-service wholesaler of groceries, meat, produce and general merchandise in addition to offering accounting and advertising services. It serves more than 200 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Association Executive Director Says Arkansas Economy Moving In Positive Direction
Sales tax collections and metro population totals both have been up in Arkansas over the past year, according to Steve Goode, executive director of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association in Little Rock. “The overall economy is doing slightly better than a year ago,” he said. Sales tax collections are up by 1.8 percent […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Store Count Growing – But More Needed – In Financially Strong Iowa
At its March meeting, Iowa’s Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 2.2 percent decrease in revenue in fiscal 2024 versus fiscal 2023. But the panel also forecasted increased revenue in FY 2025 and 2026, at 0.7 percent and 1 percent respectively, noted Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA). “Despite the slight revenue […]
Posted inFeature, Aldi, Southeast
Aldi Finds Aisle Offers BTS Items For Kids, Teens
A store tour for journalists at an Aldi store in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta finished up on the Aldi Finds aisle. For the uninitiated, the aisle is a mix of Aldi-exclusive brands as well as some national and licensed brands. It’s mostly general merchandise, but there also are some food items classified as “Finds.” […]
Posted inFeature, Aldi, Corporate Store News, Private Label Brands
Aldi’s Supplier Ties Fuel Product Development Efforts
One of the keys to Aldi being able to keep prices low, quality high and on-trend products rolling in is its strong relationships with suppliers. Those relationships came up frequently during a recent store tour conducted by Shaun O’Keefe, regional VP at the company’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center. The tour, conducted for journalists at the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Edwards Food Giant’s Remodel Offers ‘Neighborhood Feel’ In N. Little Rock
The new Edwards Food Giant that opened in Lakewood Village in North Little Rock in early April was described by one observer as “Publix come to Arkansas, to be honest with you.” That’s high praise, as Publix is widely known for its clean, well-stocked, well-run grocery stores. Edwards Food Giant took the place of the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Market Profile, Midwest
Hy-Vee Continues To Grow Business Units Across Operating Area
Home state grocer Hy-Vee has been making news with its proposed growth into the southern U.S. But it’s also growing in the Midwest. The West Des Moines-based company, which has 550 “business units” – primarily retail stores – in its operating area, recently grew to nine states with the biggest acquisition in company history. Its […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Dollar General, Feature, Food Lion, National
Self-Checkouts A ‘Double-Edged Sword’ For Grocery Customers, Retailers
Self-checkouts in grocery stores present both benefits and challenges for the retailers that utilize them. In the benefits column, they allow customers buying just a handful of items to not get in a line behind someone doing two weeks’ worth of shopping. They also lessen the labor and eventually payroll burden for retailers, many of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, Feature, Southeast
Aldi Gaining Steam Across Southeast
Shaun O’Keefe, Aldi regional VP based out of the company’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center, conducted a tour for journalists in mid-July at the company’s store on Peachtree Road in Atlanta’s Buckhead area. Aldi currently operates 81 stores in Georgia, with 50-55 of them in the Atlanta area, depending on your definition of what the Atlanta […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, National
Toshiba Executive: AI Powering Improvements For Self-Checkouts
Self-checkout systems have revolutionized the grocery shopping experience, offering numerous advantages for both customers and retailers. By empowering shoppers to scan and bag their own items, these systems reduce wait times, allowing customers to move through the checkout process with greater speed and convenience. This increased efficiency not only benefits customers but also frees up […]