Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest

Meijer LPGA Classic Champ Donates $25K To The Other Way Ministries

Meijer is making a $25,000 donation to The Other Way Ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on behalf of 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give champion Lilia Vu. The donation comes after the tournament achieved a record-setting $2 million fundraising goal and supports a tradition started in 2021 to support a hunger relief program of the champion’s choice. Recent past champions […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets

Tops Cuts Ribbon On Store Renovation In South Lockport, NY

Tops Friendly Markets recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its renovated store in South Lockport, New York, one of the largest locations in the chain’s footprint. The remodel, totaling about $4 million, is also Tops’ most significant investment to date since embarking on a capital improvement plan more than five years ago.  Shoppers in […]

Posted inCoborn's, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Dollar General, Festival Foods, Guest Contributors, Independent Store News, Midwest, The Kroger Co.

Midwest Grocery: How Rural Nuance Allows Regional Independents To Thrive

by Diana Leza Sheehan While many factors help to shape the state of grocery retailing in the Midwest, geography plays a critical role in how retailers have evolved and thrived over time. National chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Aldi continue to hold a significant share in the market, yet the region features many small […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast

Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market Continues Family Legacy

Tom Leonard, owner of Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market in Richmond, Virginia, learned many life lessons from his father, including how to succeed in the food business. He said his father, the late Stew Leonard, had two rules, which literally were set in stone. “Rule one, the customer’s always right. Rule two, if they’re wrong, reread […]

Posted inCentral Market, Independent Store News, Southwest

Central Market Moving Forward On Uptown Dallas Site

Central Market has unveiled preliminary drawings for a location in Uptown Dallas, Texas, that has been on hold since 2023, when plans for a high rise, mixed-use project were complicated by a softer post-COVID commercial market. Central Market, which took assignment of the property in 2016, has since designed a new standalone store within parameters […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, National

More Independent Grocers Adopting Instacart’s Caper Carts

Several independent grocers – including Bowman’s Market, Maurer’s Market IGA, Neiman’s Family Market, Queen’s Price Chopper and Soelbergs Market – are adopting Caper Carts, Instacart’s artificial intelligence-powered smart carts. The carts offer customers shopping in these stores – which operate across Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington – a more personalized shopping experience. Caper Carts are equipped with cameras, sensors […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Southeast

Houchens Food Group Announces Death Of Former Longtime Leader

Houchens Food Group has announced the death of former President and COO James “Jimmy” Kent Nichols, on Nov. 5, 2024, 11 days after being diagnosed with glioblastoma.  Nichols was born on July 10, 1959, in Clifton, Texas, and graduated from Crockett High School in Austin in 1977, according to his obituary. He got his start […]