Bentonville, Arkansas-based is launching two new immersive experiences in the metaverse mega-platform, Roblox. Called Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play, the spaces offer interactive content and entertainment for customers, bringing to life the best of Walmart’s “aisles” in a virtual world. Walmart Land will bring fashion, style, beauty and entertainment items to the global […]
Author Archives: Treva Bennett
Senior Content Creator
After 32 years in the newspaper industry, she is enjoying her new career exploring the world of groceries at The Shelby Report.
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Midwest
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Open First Indiana Location
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open its first store in Indiana on Sept. 30. The opening of the store at 13210 Tegler Drive in Noblesville will bring the retailer’s number of U.S. locations to 231. The new club will have a BJ’s Gas location on-site and offer members low fuel prices, with the opportunity to earn extra savings through BJ’s […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Mission Produce Continues International Expansion
Mission Produce Inc., a company specializing in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados with additional offerings in mangos, has announced plans to open a ripening, packing and forward distribution center in Dartford, England, in 2023. Strategically located with direct access to major international ports and transportation networks, the facility is expected to strengthen Mission’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Food Safety Time With The FDA
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs September is National Food Safety Education Month, and what better way to celebrate than with an FDA checkup. NGA hosted a recent webinar in which John Marcello, senior advisor in FDA’s Office of State Cooperative Programs (OSCP), offered a joint regulatory-industry perspective on retail modernization […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Outlook In Pennsylvania: Prices Up, Supply Steadying
While Pennsylvania retailers continue to face challenges such as inflation and labor issues, the overall economy in the state is seeing some improvements, according to Alex Baloga, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. “There certainly are signs that are positive,” he said. “…Our overall tax receipts came in considerably higher this fiscal year than […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Richard Wardwell
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The president of California-based Superior Grocers shares his thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. The pandemic, a widespread labor shortage, supply chain issues, high fuel prices and conflict in eastern Europe have created a perfect […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Peterson’s Fresh Market Rooted In Riverton Community
Peterson’s Fresh Market in Riverton, Utah, has a long history of serving its community. Louis “Lute” Peterson and his youngest son, Bruce, founded the business in 1938, when they rented space in a local building. When a local landmark church, “The Old Dome Church,” was torn down in 1940, Lute Peterson bought some of the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Are You Catering To The Wellness Shopper?
by Dave Wendland / VP, Strategic Relations, Hamacher Resource Group What does wellness mean to you? I like this definition from the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois: “Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential.” If we then consider the definition of self-care, according to […]
Posted inMeijer, Center Store, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Meijer Introduces New Grocery Store Concept
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer introduced a new brick-and-mortar store concept Sept. 1 – coined Meijer Grocery – that will provide convenience for customers seeking a simplified shopping experience, while providing communities easier access to fresher foods. The first two Meijer Grocery stores will open in early 2023 in neighborhoods within southeast Michigan’s Orion and Macomb […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
UFIA: Inflation In Intermountain West Among Highest In Country
While Utah’s economy remains strong, there are signs it may be slowing with rising interest rates and inflation, according to Dave Davis, president and chief legal officer for the Utah Food Industry Association. The state’s unemployment rate of 2 percent is about 1.5 percent lower than the national average, but Davis said workforce continues to […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Driving Profits With Own-Branded Spirits
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The demand for private-label products is increasing, along with a desire among consumers for products with authenticity. Independent grocers can unite these interests and boost their profits with own-branded spirits. The National Grocers Association hosted a recent webinar that presented a guidebook to the world […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Retailers In Kentucky Face ‘Slow And Sluggish’ Economy
Supply chain continues to be a challenge for Kentucky grocers, as they are having difficulty getting products to put on the shelves. There also are related issues such as the drought and late planting due to flood, said Steve McClain, director of communications and public affairs for the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association. “We […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, National
Briefing Examines What’s Responsible For Rise In Grocery Prices
Why are food costs higher today than two years ago? That was the question addressed Aug. 10 by FMI – The Food Industry Association as it hosted an online briefing, “Peering Inside Food Inflation’s Black Box.” The speakers were Andrew Harig, VP of tax trade, sustainability and policy development for FMI; and Ricky Volpe, associate […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Congress Has Been Busy: A Summer Session Recap
by Stephanie Johnson / NGA VP of Government Relations This summer was one of the busiest legislative sessions in Congress in recent memory. It culminated in major legislative achievements for the Biden Administration, a lifeline to the sinking popularity of his presidency and much needed momentum for Democrats up for re-election in November. Congress has […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Birdzi Levels ‘Personalization’ Playing Field For Independents
The personal touch means a lot. And while larger grocers often have teams of people dedicated to the data engineering and data science required to achieve one-to-one personalization, independent grocers don’t have that luxury, according to Shekar Raman, co-founder and CEO of Birdzi. Raman’s company levels the personalization playing field for independent grocers. “Birdzi offers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Supply Remains Biggest Issue For Goode’s Cash Saver Stores
Getting consistent supply remains one of the biggest COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges faced by Steve Goode, owner of Arkansas-based Goode Foods LLC dba Goode’s Cash Saver. Goode, who also is president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association, said the supply issue has improved since AWG moved his company from its Southaven to Springfield distribution […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Differentiate From Your Grocery Competitors By Offering Unique Products In Your Assortment
by Megan Moyer Finding a niche in your community is a good way to build a competitive advantage. If you and your competitors carry many of the same brands and items, bringing in products that are unique to your store can be a strong differentiator. Start by reviewing your product assortment to see where there […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
As AGRMA Can Attest, Independents In Arkansas ‘Alive And Well’
The independent grocer is “alive and well” in Arkansas, according to Steve Goode, president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association. Recent years have shown that “independent retailers have the ability to adapt and overcome almost any situation.” He said independents were able to overcome COVID, supply and transportation issues in the past three […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Kristin Popp
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The EVP of Janesville, Wisconsin-based Woodman’s Food Markets shares her thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. The pandemic, a widespread labor shortage, supply chain issues, high fuel prices and conflict in eastern Europe have created […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Chairman Names Wiese Next CEO
Hy-Vee Chairman and CEO Randy Edeker has named Aaron Wiese as Hy-Vee’s next CEO, effective Oct. 1. Wiese is currently vice chairman of Hy-Vee Inc. and president of the company’s supply chain and subsidiaries. Jeremy Gosch will remain as president and chief operating officer of West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee, overseeing all of the retail […]