Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast

Kentucky Grocery Industry ‘Quite Strong,’ Retail Crime A ‘Huge Issue’

The state of Kentucky reported General Fund receipts for July of $1.1 billion, which was the 11th straight month that revenues surpassed the $1 billion mark. The state’s overall unemployment rate for July was 3.8 percent, which is very low historically, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest

Oklahoma Grocers ‘Resilient’ In Face Of Ongoing Challenges

Oklahoma’s economy has remained fairly steady over the past year, according to Ron Edgmon, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Grocers Association.  The state treasury report for August showed gross sales tax receipts up 5.1 percent over the last 12 months, although oil and gas production taxes have declined by 7.2 percent, he said. “Regional […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest

Jerry’s Foods Reflects One Year After Destruction Of Hurricane Ian 

One year removed from Hurricane Ian, Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel Island, Florida, is seeing its community slowly return to normal.  “Each month that goes past, there are more businesses that are able to open,” said Rick Winningham, general manager. “And as the resorts start to come back…The vegetation that survived is coming back…I think the […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest

Native American-Owned FireLake Foods Aims To Be Community Partner

FireLake Foods, headquartered in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is the largest grocery store in the U.S. that is owned by a Native American tribe, according to Richard Driskell, director of retail. Citizen Potawatomi Nation opened the 84,000-square-foot store in 2001 on tribal land in Shawnee. The tribe now owns three grocery stores, two convenience stores and four […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast

Pennsylvania’s Election Battleground Status Will Capture Nation’s Attention In 2024

Assessing Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state in the 2024 election, Alex Baloga didn’t mince words. “To say that it’s going to be a wild next year is probably putting it mildly,” said Baloga, who is president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. For the first time in 12 years, the Pennsylvania House […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Association News, West

Utah ‘Exceptional’ State For Independent Grocers

Utah was named the No. 1 state for economic outlook for the 16th year in a row by Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index.  According to a statement from the office of Gov. Spencer Cox, this is attributed to “strategic policies, smart fiscal decisions and forward-thinking reserve funds, combined with the hard […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast

Stepherson Inc. Continues Family Legacy In Memphis, TN

Stepherson Inc. has been a Memphis staple since before Elvis or BB King were household names. The employee-owned business operates nine locations under the Superlo Foods and Stepherson’s banners across the Memphis area, as well as a central warehouse.  The company was founded in 1944 by brothers Wesley, Kenneth and Jack Stepherson. Wesley and Kenneth […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest

Retailers Celebrate Approval Of Pro-Business Legislation In Missouri

The Missouri Grocers Association and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry are celebrating multiple wins following this year’s state legislative session.  “[It] will go down as one of the more productive for Missouri job creators,” said Dan Mehan, chamber president and CEO, in a July press release.  Gov. Mike Parson signed 31 pieces of […]