Shoppers tired of pandemic, but that ‘does not make it go away’ by John McCurry, contributing writer Rick James, owner and CEO of Castle Group, based in Memphis, operates four Cash Saver stores. That includes the recent acquisition of a store that closed in April due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The stores have performed well so […]
Category: Market Profile
Market Profile: TGCSA-Backed Talent Exchange Connected Laid-Off Workers
by John McCurry, contributing writer With areas of the economy – notably hospitality – hit hard by the pandemic, the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association worked with the Tennessee Department of Tourism to connect laid-off hotel and laid-off restaurant workers with jobs in the grocery industry, which was scrambling to find workers. Rob Ikard, […]
Market Profile: Pandemic’s Efforts Stretch From Bay Area To Oregon Line
by Cynthia Weifenbach, contributing writer The grocery industry has been at the forefront of feeding Northern California communities and doing its best to provide safe environments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, not unlike other areas of the country, there are differences even within the region, such as San Francisco Bay and Sacramento. “We have these patches,” […]
Assoc. Grocers CEO With Optimistic Outlook Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
by John McCurry / contributing writer Overall, grocers in Louisiana and Mississippi have handled the coronavirus pandemic well. That’s the assessment of Manard Lagasse, president and CEO of Baton Rouge-based Associated Grocers. Associated Grocers provides resources and support for more than 200 independent grocers in those states and Texas. “Obviously, there have been some issues […]
Family-Run Trucchi’s 92 Years Old And Thriving Despite Challenges
by John McCurry / contributing writer Jim Trucchi grew up in his family’s grocery business in Massachusetts. He’s now the CEO of Trucchi’s Supermarkets, a six-store chain, and thanks in part to the challenges of running a business during a pandemic, he’s never been busier. “I’m 67 and I’ve been doing this since I was […]
Big M Supermarket Setting Weekly Sales Records For Licari
by John McCurry, contributing writer Carmen Licari’s first taste of the grocery business came as a young kid, working in his parents’ store in New York. Now 71, Licari proudly proclaims he’s been in the business for 65 years. The owner of Big M Supermarket in Dolgeville, New York, he is a third-generation grocer. His […]
SOUTHEAST: Learning Never Stops At Stokes: Family Grocer Navigates Supply Chain
by John McCurry, contributing writer “The supply chain is kind of broken at the moment,” said John Childers, owner of Stokes Supermarket. “The factories are having a tough time. There are certain categories that are coming back, but some are still limping along. We are still having trouble getting Clorox, Lysol, that type of product.” Counting […]
Neiman Siblings Continue Family Tradition
Company is ‘hometown’ store in four locations by John McCurry, contributing writer Like many independent grocers, Bryan Neiman grew up in the business. His parents, Hal and Jean, opened their first store in Alpena, Michigan, in 1983. During subsequent years, Neiman’s Family Market added stores in Tawas, St. Clair and Clarkston, Michigan, for a total of […]
