Idaho independent’s “Social Deal” program turns Facebook comments into a weekly reservation system – no shopping app to download, no online checkout, no problem. When Swensen’s Markets posted a deal on 50-pound boxes of Idaho russet baking potatoes to its Facebook page in mid-February, the family-owned grocer likely expected a solid response. What it got […]
Category: Independent Store News
Independent Grocers Expand In NYC As City-Run Stores Debate Continues
Two new independently owned supermarkets opened April 10 in New York City, underscoring continued investment by local operators even as elected officials have announced plans to establish a municipally owned grocery store in each of the five boroughs. One store debuted in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, while the second opened along the White […]
Schnucks Adds Second Springboard Cohort Products To 15 Stores
Schnuck Markets Inc. has introduced the second class of its Schnucks Springboard emerging business accelerator to 15 stores across the St. Louis area. The 10 participants began a four-week in-store trial on April 15, marking a significant step in the retailer’s initiative to support local and regional entrepreneurs. The cohort includes a range of brands […]
What It Really Takes To Compete As An Independent Grocer In 2026
Valley Farm Market has been a fixture of East County San Diego since 1956. Derek Marso – third-generation owner, former NFL player and self-described servant leader – took over the family store with one conviction: independent grocers don’t have to compete on price. They compete on experience, specialization, and speed. Under his leadership, Valley Farm […]
Natural Grocers To Open Third Location In Rock Springs, WY
Natural Grocers will open a new store April 29 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, marking the retailer’s third location in the state. Grand opening celebrations run from April 29-May 31 with savings of up to 50 percent off select premium products. The first 150 customers on opening day will receive mystery gift cards valued between $5 […]
Publix Honors 6 Employees With Mr. George Community Service Award
Publix Super Markets recognized six associates with the Mr. George Community Service Award for outstanding commitment to their communities during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting. The award honors associates who embody the giving spirit of Publix founder George Jenkins. “George Jenkins once said, ‘We are not only in the grocery business, we’re in the people […]
Publix Expands NC Footprint With New Durham Store
Publix opened a new 41,744-square-foot store April 11 at 4628 Guess Road in Durham, North Carolina, part of its continued expansion in the state’s Research Triangle region. The location features traditional departments, including a bakery, full-service deli and meat and seafood counters. The store also houses a full-service pharmacy with a drive-thru and offers home […]
NYC Mayor Says Each Borough Will Get City-Run Grocery Store
One hundred and two days after taking over as mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani delivered his 100 Day Address on April 12, making good on his promise of city-run grocery stores opening around the city. Before speaking of the stores, Mamdani reminded the New Yorkers gathered that he ran as a Democratic socialist. […]
Save A Lot Debuts La Tierra de Sabores Hispanic Private Label Brand
Save A Lot is relaunching and expanding its Hispanic private label program under the name La Tierra de Sabores, a transition that consolidates items previously sold under the retailer’s Tio Santi and Caracara brands into a refreshed line intended to better reflect the communities it serves. The updated assortment includes core items like tortillas, seasonings […]
Meijer LPGA Classic For Simply Give Returns June 18-21
Meijer is bringing its LPGA Classic for Simply Give back to Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, for a 12th year, with tournament play running June 18-21. The event features 144 of the world’s top female golfers in a four-day, 72-hole stroke competition. All proceeds support the retailer’s Simply Give hunger-relief program, which funds food […]
The Village Market Celebrates 20 Years Of Serving Moab, UT
The Village Market in Moab, Utah – the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks – is marking its 20th anniversary this year with a community celebration planned for May 2. The specialty grocery store opened in 2006 under owner John Buxman, who has built the business into a four-store operation spanning three states. The […]
Survey: Consumers Spend 37% Of Grocery Budget At Independent Stores
Americans spend a larger share of their grocery budget at independent stores than in any other retail category, according to a new survey from OnDeck in partnership with research consultancy Censuswide. The finding underscores the role independent grocers play in local economies even as consumers navigate an era of online convenience and corporate scale. The […]
PCC Community Markets To Open New Store In Seattle’s Madison Valley
PCC Community Markets, a 73-year-old community-owned grocery co-op founded in Seattle, will open its 17th store this fall at 2925 E. Madison St. in the city’s Madison Valley neighborhood. Construction is under way, with additional details to be announced in the coming months. “We signed this lease 10 years ago, and it’s been a long […]
Big Y Launches Local Vendor Discovery Tour Ahead Of Store Opening
Big Y Foods is sourcing local products for its upcoming supermarket in Pembroke, Massachusetts, through an online Local Vendor Discovery Tour that connects the retailer’s sales teams with area farmers, vendors and artisans whose products could be featured there. The family-owned grocer partners with more than 500 local businesses to offer more than 4,000 local […]
Tops Friendly Markets Launches MoolahVille Cash Back Rewards Program
Tops Friendly Markets is rolling out MoolahVille, a new rewards experience running through May 23 across all 147 stores. The program lets shoppers earn “Moolah” coins through everyday purchases and redeem them for unlimited $10 rewards cards, with an online component offering additional prizes including free groceries for a year. The program works on two […]
Island Pacific’s Philhouse Named Top Las Vegas Culinary Destination
Island Pacific Seafood Market announced that its in-house dining concept, Philhouse, has been recognized as a top culinary spot in Las Vegas by Dailywise.com. The recognition arrives as the grocer celebrates Filipino Food Month (Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino) throughout April. This year’s theme – “Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN” […]
Publix Signs Leases For 3 New KY Supermarket Locations
Publix Super Markets has executed leases for three new Kentucky stores – in Bowling Green, Richmond and Versailles. Each city will welcome a 54,964-square-foot Publix Super Market with an adjacent Publix Liquors. The stores are expected to create about 150 jobs apiece. An opening time frame has not been determined for any of the three, […]
Natural Grocers Adds Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs To Private Label Line
Natural Grocers is expanding its private-label brand with Regenerative Organic Certified Pasture-Raised Eggs, a new offering that meets industry-leading standards for soil health, animal welfare and farmworker fairness. Available in a 12-count carton, the eggs carry Regenerative Organic Certification as well as Certified Humane Raised & Handled designation. They come from pasture-raised hens that live […]
Northeast Grocery Inc. Adds SNAP/EBT Payments On DoorDash
Northeast Grocery Inc. (NGI) has expanded its partnership with DoorDash to accept SNAP/EBT benefits for delivery across its Market 32, Price Chopper and Tops Markets banners. The enhancement allows customers to shop eligible grocery items and pay with their EBT cards at checkout through the DoorDash platform. “We believe everyone deserves convenient access to fresh, […]
Natural Grocers Plans New Store Opening In McMinnville, OR
Natural Grocers will open a new store this summer at 448 OR-99 West in McMinnville, Oregon, marking the retailer’s 15th location in the state and its first in the Willamette Valley. The company is moving forward on staffing and community outreach ahead of the opening. A virtual hiring fair is set for April 8, with […]
