Store in Solvang gave away toilet paper, started selling barbecue by John McCurry / contributing writer As is the case for many independent grocers, Greg King has spent much of his life in the business. Now 52, he began working at a grocery store when he was 14. His father was in the business during […]
Category: Market Profile
New Year Brings Self-Checkout, Online Shopping To Buche Foods
Family-owned business serves smaller rural towns of South Dakota by Mary Margaret Stewart / staff writer R.F. Buche is the fourth-generation owner of Buche Foods, which was founded in Lake Andes, South Dakota, in 1905 by his great-grandfather, Gus Buche. Today, R.F. Buche owns and operates grocery and convenience stores, a Subway sandwich shop, […]
MarketPlace Foods Keeps Focus On Associates, Their Resilience
Employee owned as of Jan. 1, company celebrating 80th anniversary by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Founded in 1940 in Edinburgh, North Dakota, MarketPlace Foods just celebrated its 80th anniversary. And the company is entering 2021 with strong grocery business on its side. “The sales that we’ve had since the pandemic started are amazing – […]
Scolari’s Food And Drug Owner: ‘We Are Not The Normal Grocery’
One of Scolari’s stores features strong gaming presence by John McCurry / contributing writer Jerry Scolari thinks increased grocery sales, propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue through the first part of 2021. He is co-owner of the two-store chain, Scolari’s Food and Drug, which he said has been up to the challenges presented […]
WEST: Market Profile: Harmons In Utah Always Puts Shoppers First
by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer After finishing college, Jordan Meister moved back in with his parents in Utah while he worked to pay off his student loans. “The day after I moved, my mom told me to go get a job,” Meister said. “So I went down to Harmons and got a job washing […]
Market Profile: Dave’s Fresh Marketplace Stays Nimble During Pandemic
by John McCurry, contributing writer Susan Budlong has worked at Dave’s Fresh Marketplace in Rhode Island for 24 years, currently serving as the independent grocery chain’s director of marketing and communications. Budlong also sits on the executive committee and the board of directors of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association. She has a clear view […]
Market Profile: AGRMA Says Success May Hinge On Online Experience
by John McCurry, contributing writer Charlie Spakes, executive director of the Arkansas Grocery and Retail Merchants Association, AGRMA, said the future success of independent grocers may depend largely on how quickly they can adapt to online ordering. “They probably would have liked more time to get ready and get adapted before this whole [COVID-19] crisis […]
Market Profile: Allen’s Foods Cultivates Camaraderie Within Caring Community
Bella Vista is a city of about 31,000 in the northwest corner of Arkansas, some seven miles south of the Missouri line. It lies in the middle of a resort area with a large number of retirees and also serves as a bedroom community to nearby Bentonville, home of Walmart’s headquarters. Serving the Bella Vista […]
