Alaska’s grocery industry faces a unique set of challenges. The vastness of the state, coupled with a relatively small and dispersed population, creates logistical hurdles for getting food onto shelves as well as higher prices. This complex environment necessitates a diverse grocery landscape, with national chains, regional players and independent grocers all vying for a slice […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Lack Of Workers Poses Challenge For Businesses In South Dakota
Business owners in South Dakota are “cautiously optimistic” for 2024, according to Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. He noted that 2023 was better than most expected but, thus far, things in 2024 “are flat.” “They’re generally seeing better foot traffic, but that increased foot traffic doesn’t necessarily result in more […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, IGA, Market Profile, Southeast
Reigning U.S. Retailer of the Year Pocahontas IGA Mixes It Up In Marlinton, WV
Pocahontas IGA in Marlinton, West Virginia, has been named one of the 2024 U.S. Retailers of the Year by the Independent Grocers Alliance, the highest honor the organization bestows upon its retail members. Owner Rob Hilleary and his team were nominated by their wholesaler, Merchant Distributors Inc., for their innovative store operations and for moving […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Retail Federation Executive: Grocery Industry In Florida Remains Resilient
Many Central Florida businesses are optimistic about the economy, according to a report by WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The report featured an update from Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, who stated the central region and the state should be able to avoid the worst impacts […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Grocery Industry In Ohio Both Prosperous, Challenging
Ohio’s grocers have grappled with several significant challenges in recent months, according to Kristin Mullins, president and CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association. Describing the complexity of the market as “a mixed bag of issues and successes,” Mullins noted that factors such as inflation, labor challenges and escalating competition – combined with the rising cost […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Bonus Content, Independent Store News, Midwest
Andover Sparkle Market Shines As OGA 2024 Pinnacle Award Recipient
The Ohio Grocers Association has named Andover Sparkle Market as the winner of its 2024 Pinnacle Award, small operator. The awards recognize overall excellence in retail operations and are the highest honors given by the group. Winners are selected based on several criteria, including creativity, merchandising, innovation, human resources, community relations and successful operation. Owner […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Oregon’s Productivity Outpacing Nation, But Population Growth Remains Unchanged
From staff reports Oregon’s productivity gains have outpaced the nation, according to the March 2024 Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast from the state’s Office of Economic Analysis. The report states the 2023 population estimates show that Oregon’s population continued to stagnate during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the OEA has lowered the population outlook as a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Employee-Owned McKay’s Market Maintains Hometown Feel
McKay’s Market is a small independent grocery chain on the Oregon coast. In business for more than 70 years, the company operates 11 stores and is 100-percent employee owned. Kevin Murray, chief operations officer, has been with McKay’s for 41 years. He started his grocery career when he was 12, bagging ice and sorting bottles […]