Jill and Doug Eilderts both had backgrounds in the grocery industry before deciding to buy their first Hometown Foods store in Waterloo, Iowa, in May 2019. In September 2020, they acquired a second store in nearby Traer. Jill Eilderts has worked at the Waterloo store for 35 years, starting off as a cashier when she […]
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 inAssociation News, National
Glimmers Of Hope Amid Darkness Of Inflation
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs First, the bad news: Inflation continues to, well … inflate. Overall inflation rose another percent from May to June, hitting 9.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marking a new 40-year high. Worse, inflation for food eaten at home – grocery – climbed […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Measure Aids Online Market Transparency In Louisiana
The Louisiana Retailers Association led an initiative this year to pass Act 316, legislation that will make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods online. According to Jessica Elliott, executive director of the LRA, the measure will increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure verification of high-volume online sellers. “Grocers have made significant […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
Inflation, Labor, Supply Chain Posing Challenges In Indiana
The economy in Indiana is good and probably one of the best, at least in the Midwest, according to Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association. “It’s better than almost anything when you go east,” he said. According to Lackey, one reason for that is that every taxpayer will be receiving […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Rick Brindle
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Rick Brindle, the VP of industry development at Mondelez International, 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 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Enforcement Of Robinson-Patman Act Is ‘Biggest Issue,’ Owner Says
Mike Planalp, owner of Blackford County Foods, in Fishers, Indiana, sees the biggest challenge to independent grocers and their growth is the federal government’s failure to enforce the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936. The act is an antitrust law that guarantees a competitive grocery marketplace. He operates six Save A Lot food stores in Indiana, a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, West
Great Falls’ Everyday IGA Stores Ready To Launch E-Commerce Program
All things considered, Rich Chadwick’s two Everyday IGA stores in Great Falls, Montana, and Teeple’s IGA in Browning are enjoying a strong state and local economy. “I think the economy has grown in Great Falls. I think wages have grown quite a lot in the Great Falls area,” said Chadwick, adding that there are several […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Normalizing The Mental Health Conversation
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Grocery operators are starting to focus more deeply on the well-being of their teams and engage in conversations around employee mental health in our industry. The NGA Foundation hosted a recent webinar that explored how organizations approach their employees’ mental health to ensure their teams […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
For Lone Grocer In Carrabelle, ‘If The Weather’s Good, We’re Busy’
Richard Holley didn’t start his career in the grocery industry, but he has found a home there. The store manager of Gulfside IGA Plus in Carrabelle, Florida, had traveled extensively for previous jobs before he decided to settle down. A self-proclaimed military brat, Holley’s parents hailed from Panama City Beach, which is where they ended up […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Independents In Sunshine State Not Immune To Workforce Issues
Florida’s economy continues to be “very robust” and the state legislature recently approved a budget of about $109 billion while “still banking an additional $11 billion in reserves,” said Lorena Holley, VP and general counsel with the Florida Retail Federation. “More specific to the food industry in Florida, our grocers have generally retained a good […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Cardenas Markets Acquires Rio Ranch Market Stores, Expands Footprint
Ontario, California-based Cardenas Markets has announced it will expand its Southern California footprint through the acquisition of six Rio Ranch Market locations in Banning, Chino, Fontana, Perris, Riverside and San Bernardino. The company expects the transaction to close by the middle of July. During the transition period, no immediate changes are expected to the operations […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
The Feedback Group: Shoppers Believe Grocers Earn 33% Net Profit
The Feedback Group, a Lake Success, New York-based company that provides actionable stakeholder feedback, has released findings from new national research conducted with more than 1,200 grocery shoppers about their response to food price inflation and their perception of supermarket profitability. Shoppers Employ Various Strategies to Cope with Food Price Inflation With food and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
IRI Releases 2021 New Product Pacesetters Report
Information Resources Inc., a fast-growing global technology provider of innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, has released its 2021 New Product Pacesetters, featuring the top new food and beverage and nonfood product launches. This is IRI’s 27th annual New Product Pacesetters report. The unpredictability of the pandemic made the work of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Member Retailer Lauds SNAP’s ‘Shining Example’
Mike Beal, chief operating officer of Kansas City, Kansas-based Balls Food Stores, testified June 8 in support of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, on behalf of the National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry. Beal affirmed the importance of SNAP to the […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Northeast
Franklin Farms Offers Simple Summer Veggie Burgers
With the upcoming summer grilling season, Parsippany, New Jersey-based Franklin Farms, a division of Keystone Natural Holdings, is distributing its veggie patty to more retail locations. Shoppers can try Franklin Farms Plant-Based Burger Patties, available in America’s favorite Barbeque Flavor, Mediterranean Style and authentically seasoned Korean Style BBQ flavor. “Our team is thrilled to gain […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market Hiring 100 For Moreno Valley Store
Sprouts Farmers Market says it soon will finish construction on its new store in Moreno Valley, California. Located at 24101 Hemlock Ave., the store will open at 7 a.m. on Friday, July 8. Details about the grand opening celebration will be announced at a later date. Sprouts welcomes shoppers with a farmer’s market experience and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
Dollar General Introduces Evolution Of Retail Media Network, DGMN
Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based Dollar General Corp. has announced the evolution of its media network, DGMN, which initially debuted in 2018. DGMN aims to unlock the next generation of growth for the retailer’s advertising partners by exceeding benchmarks and industry standards. With DGMN, Dollar General provides access to real-time data with trusted brands to help them serve […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
Kroger Delivery Available In South Florida
Propelled by steady growth, Kroger Delivery now is serving customers in South Florida with the opening of a new spoke location in Miami. The 60,000-square-foot spoke facility, in collaboration with the Fulfillment Center in Groveland, Florida, will serve as a last-mile cross-dock location that expands Kroger Delivery’s ability to serve more customers. “We are thrilled […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Standard Meat Co. Acquires Syracuse Sausage
Standard Meat Company, a North Texas-based meat company, has acquired Syracuse Sausage of Ponder, Texas. Standard Meat Co. is owned by the Rosenthal family. The fourth generation of Rosenthals – the brother and sister team of Ben Rosenthal and Ashli Rosenthal Blumenfeld – currently leads the company, with Ben as CEO and co-president, and Ashli […]