by Greg Ferrara / president and CEO, National Grocers Association With the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel visible at last, grocers are emerging having demonstrated that they are – without a doubt – “supermarket superheroes.” After more than 15 months, grocery stores provided some stability in a world of uncertainty. As restrictions […]
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.
NGA Poses 5 Questions For … AGNE President/CEO Michael Violette
NGA’s “Five Questions” is a regular feature that explores the insights of independent grocery operators. This week, Michael Violette, president and CEO of AG New England, shares his thoughts with us. 1. How is 2021 treating independent operators so far? Things are still going quite well for the independent retailer. The majority of our customers are […]
Imperial Distributors Promotes Kirby, Sleeper And Potter
Michael Sleeper, CEO of Imperial Distributors, has announced three executive promotions. Joe Kirby has been promoted to president and will oversee all company operations including supply chain, distribution and sales. Kirby joined Imperial in 2003 as a category manager and has held several positions, including most recently EVP. Naomi Sleeper has been promoted to EVP. […]
H-E-B, Weitzman Break Ground On First Phase Of Manvel Town Center
H-E-B and Weitzman held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 22 for the first phase of Manvel Town Center, which upon completion will be one of the largest open-area retail focused projects in history for Houston’s metro area. With the first phase anchored by grocer H-E-B, Manvel Town Center is designed to incorporate more than 1 […]
Sweets & Snacks Expo Unveils 2021 Most Innovative New Products
To kick off the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo, judges of the Most Innovative New Product Awards unveiled this year’s winners. These awards recognize the most innovative candy and snack products and companies for their achievements and new products introduced to the market over the past two years. “The Most Innovative New Product Awards continue […]
Tax Increases Would Hurt Grocery Industry After Challenges Of Past Year
By Leslie Sarasin / President and CEO, FMI – The Food Industry Association During the past year, America’s grocers stepped up and made the necessary investments to safely keep stores open and shelves stocked. Now, after one of the most challenging years for the food retail industry, lawmakers propose to raise taxes, which would make our job […]
Hy-Vee’s Lampkin Named A National 2021 Store Manager Of Year
Brandon Lampkin, a 31-year veteran of Hy-Vee and store director at the 180th and Q Hy-Vee in Omaha, Nebraska, has been named 2021’s Store Manager of the Year in Category C by FMI – the Food Industry Association. This marks the second year in a row a Hy-Vee store director has been chosen for this […]
Independent Grocery Pharmacies Need DIR Fee Reform Now
by Robert Yeakel / NGA, director of government relations Independent supermarkets operate more than 3,000 pharmacies across the country. In many small towns and rural areas, the grocery store pharmacy is the only healthcare provider in the community. In recent years, two disturbing trends have been accelerating: Medicare Part D beneficiaries are paying higher out-of-pocket […]
Albertsons Cos., DoorDash Partner To Offer On-Demand Grocery Delivery
DoorDash and Albertsons Companies have formed a new partnership to offer on-demand grocery delivery from nearly 2,000 Albertsons banner stores across the country, including Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and more from the DoorDash marketplace app. As expectations for convenience, speed and ease continue to grow, consumers can now order groceries and essentials on-demand for delivery within an […]
Is Nation’s Labor Shortage Temporary Phenomenon Or Long-Term Issue?
by John Ross / President and CEO of IGA The news is filled with reports of America’s labor shortage. Liberals claim people aren’t working because labor rates are too low; conservatives contend that COVID stimulus has made it better to stay home and collect unemployment benefits. But the arguments don’t fix the problem facing the grocery […]
Food Lion Feedy’s Awards Honor Those Making A Difference
A select group of local food banks, community leaders and Food Lion associates were honored at the 2021 Food Lion Feeds’ Feedy’s Awards this week. The awards recognized individuals and organizations across several categories for their work fighting hunger in the towns and cities Food Lion serves. “Caring for our neighbors in the towns and […]
Mann Packing Co. Offers New Time-Saving Veggie Products
Mann Packing Co., a subsidiary of Coral Gables, Florida-based Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. and one of the largest suppliers of packaged vegetables in North America, has added three new products to its line – Mann Veggie Sides, Steakhouse Style and Better Pasta. Packaged in easy-to-prepare bags, Mann Veggie Sides go from microwave to table in three minutes. Sauce dollop technology seasons […]
As E-commerce Expands, More Companies Eyeing Entry
by Eric Pereira / staff writer As e-commerce in grocery in the U.S. continues to expand, more and more firms are looking to get involved. Peter van Stolk, CEO of FoodX, said he looks forward to closing request for proposals with “very large retailers” in the “near future.” FoodX is a software-as-a-service offering built around […]
Grocers Need To Think Differently About Data And Automation
Sponsored content by Amichay Oren It used to be simpler. Not long ago grocery retailers could drive marketing and merchandising decisions based heavily on their knowledge of local shopper needs. Customer behaviors weren’t changing so dramatically, store assortments were less complex and technology wasn’t as advanced. There were fewer data points required to analyze sales […]
FMI Announces Winners Of 2021 Store Manager Awards
FMI – The Food Industry Association has named the four store managers who were voted winners of its 2021 Store Manager Awards. In the face of unprecedented challenges, each manager has displayed unparalleled commitment to quality shopper services and experience, generated sales growth that stands out among the rest and has prioritized effective workplace communication with both […]
Albertsons Cos. Names Saenz EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has named Jennifer Saenz as EVP, chief merchandising officer, effective July 12. Saenz will be responsible for all areas of merchandising within the company, including Own Brands. Saenz also will be responsible for further strengthening the company’s relationships with its brand partners. She will join the company’s senior leadership team and […]
Stakeholders Make Push For Pharmacy DIR Reform In Congress
Hundreds of organizations representing community pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, chain pharmacies, patient groups, buying groups, health systems, wholesalers and business groups are making an all-out push for legislation that would stop the abuse of pharmacy price concessions charged by third-party middlemen. These charges have increased 91,500 percent in recent years. The Pharmacy DIR Reform […]
Nutrition Incentives: A Win-Win For Northgate Gonzalez Markets
by Pat Jones, NGA project assistant Northgate Gonzalez Markets is a family-owned independent grocery chain that has been operating in four California counties (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Riverside) for 41 years and currently operates 41 locations. The stores primarily serve Hispanic and moderate to low-income communities. The family firmly believes that nutrition education […]
Independent Grocery Is Economic Engine, Churning Forward
by Greg Ferrara / President and CEO, National Grocers Association Anyone familiar with the independent supermarket industry knows that independent community grocers are entrepreneurs within the marketplace, seeking any opportunity to innovate and grow, and now the numbers are in to prove it. NGA commissioned John Dunham & Associates to conduct its latest economic impact study to demonstrate […]
Grocers Adapt Merchandising, In-Store Experience For Ethnic Customers
Expert: It ‘doesn’t make economic sense not to’ tap into growing consumer diversity by Eric Pereira / staff writer The combined buying power in the U.S. of African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Native Americans is an estimated $2.4 trillion, while Hispanics lead the way with $1.5 trillion, according to a Multicultural Economy Report from the University of Georgia. […]
