The Independent Grocers Alliance has launched IGA Community Development, a new initiative designed to expand access to fresh, affordable food in underserved urban and rural communities across the U.S. The new area of focus for IGA involves matching funding from communities, nonprofits and other developmental entities with independent retailers. This allows those retailers to open […]
Category: Independent Store News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
SoCal-Based Vallarta Supermarkets Charts Path Of Growth, Change
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, Produce News, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Markets Launches 2026 Produce Winter Olympic Games
Tops Markets has launched its 2026 Produce Winter Olympic Games, a four-week, company-wide competition Feb. 1-28 that challenges store teams to showcase produce displays, innovative merchandising and strong sales performance. Throughout the competition, stores participate in weekly themed events designed to highlight freshness, presentation and promotional creativity within the produce department. Teams compete for thousands […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Reaches Milestone In Florida Everglades Projects
Publix recently completed two wetland restoration projects in the Florida Everglades, restoring more than 1,300 acres and an estimated 173 million gallons of water annually to the region. In 2021, the Lakeland, Fla.-based company committed $2 million to the National Audubon Society and the National Park Foundation to support restoration efforts at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Shares 2026 Creative Choice Award Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has shared the winners of the 2026 Creative Choice Awards, recognizing top marketing and merchandising programs in the independent grocery industry. The awards, supported by Cheez-It and Unilever, will be presented during The NGA Show, which runs Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. A Unilever […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Taylor Bros. Construction Builds Business Through Meijer Grow Program
Taylor Bros. Construction Co., a Columbus, Indiana-based construction company, has expanded its operations through participation in the Meijer Grow program, which supports local businesses within the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer’s footprint. Taylor Bros., established in 1933, previously worked on Meijer stores through other general contractors. “We were part of the team, just not working with […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite To Open New Supermarket Feb. 4 In Manahawkin, NJ
Saker ShopRites will open a larger, expanded location Feb. 4 at 733 Route 72 West in Manahawkin, New Jersey. The new store is more than double the size of the Stafford Square location it is replacing and marks a addition to the Manahawkin Commons shopping center. Members of the Saker family and local officials will […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Minnesota Retailers Face Mounting Pressures Despite Strength Of Independent Network
Minnesota maintains one of the nation’s strongest independent grocery networks, but increased government mandates driving up costs, stagnant population growth and a shrinking workforce are creating significant headwinds for retailers across the state, according to Patrick Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “There’s a lot of pressure on those individual stores,” he said. “We’re […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite Expands Locked-In Price Program
ShopRite has launched an enhanced Locked-In Price program featuring extended price locks of four to six weeks or longer on thousands of grocery staples throughout 2026. ShopRite, a registered trademark of Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp., said the effort aims to provide customers with predictable savings on popular items across all departments. Items will be […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
EcoATM To Showcase Device Recycling Kiosks At NGA Show
EcoATM will exhibit its electronic device recycling kiosks during The 2026 NGA Show in Las Vegas, demonstrating partnership opportunities for independent grocers. The San Diego, California-based company operates more than 7,000 kiosks nationwide at grocery and discount stores. The kiosks allow shoppers to recycle their phones and receive cash on the spot in less than […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Finance News, News, West
Dick’s Market Featured In Nationwide Film “STANDOUT”
Dick’s Market in Centerville, Utah, served as a filming location for “STANDOUT: The Ben Kjar Story,” a feature film that opened Jan. 23 in theaters nationwide and won the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. The film chronicles the life of Ben Kjar, a Utah native born with Crouzon syndrome who became a three-time state wrestling champion, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Urges FTC, DOJ To Address Buyer Power Raising Food Prices
The National Grocers Association sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 20, urging both agencies to use current antitrust authorities to address market manipulation by dominant grocery retail power buyers, especially Walmart. NGA warned that unchecked buyer power is raising rivals’ costs, accelerating consolidation and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Natural Grocers, News
Natural Grocers Celebrates Kansas Day With Free Tote, Coupon
Natural Grocers will celebrate Kansas Day Jan. 29-31 at its eight stores in the state with a free limited-edition reusable tote bag and a $5-off coupon for {N}power members while supplies last. The promotion, which honors Kansas Statehood Day, is available to all members of Natural Grocers’ free {N}power rewards program. The coupon is valid […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Donates $2K To Girls Inc. Of Chattanooga
Food City presented a $2,000 check to Girls Inc. of Chattanooga on Jan. 20, continuing the Abingdon, Virginia-based retailer’s support of the organization dedicated to empowering girls to become confident leaders. Girls Inc. focuses on creating a pro-girl environment where girls can develop their strengths through three core principles – empowerment, advocacy and education. The […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Beverage News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks To Hold St. Louis Food & Wine Event Feb. 6-7
Schnuck Markets Inc. will hold its annual St. Louis Food & Wine event Feb. 6-7 at Union Station, with the event benefiting Operation Food Search and the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. This year’s festivities will feature hundreds of wines, a selection of craft beers and culinary offerings. Attendees can purchase wine as they taste […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Southeast
Funding, Support Go Long Way For Grocers In Underserved Atlanta Areas
In December 2024, Invest Atlanta – the official economic development authority for the city of Atlanta – announced millions of dollars in grants to bolster fresh food access in underserved areas around the city. The first announcement was Invest Atlanta providing $8 million in funding for two stores to be operated by independent operator Savi […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Donates $3K To Camp Hope Youth Program
Food City presented a $3,000 check on Jan. 21 to Partnership for Families, Children & Adults Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to benefit the organization’s Camp HOPE project, a trauma-informed summer program for youth. Partnership for Families, Children and Adults is a nonprofit human services agency serving southeastern Tennessee and North Georgia since 1877. The organization […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Enlarging Store In Blountville, TN
Food City is expanding its store on Highway 394 in Blountville, Tennessee, adding more than 7,000 square feet of retail space that will increase the total footprint to nearly 50,500 square feet. The project, which is scheduled to wrap up this fall, will create 40 new jobs. “We are excited to have the opportunity to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Named To Fortune’s Most Admired Companies List For 31st Year
Publix has been recognized on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2026, marking the 31st consecutive year the Lakeland, Florida-based grocer has received the honor since 1996. The list acknowledges companies that prioritize employees’ well-being, community engagement and sustainability efforts, as well as being a great place to work, among other criteria. “At Publix, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Backs Congressional Push For Antitrust Enforcement
The National Grocers Association is backing a bipartisan congressional effort to investigate discriminatory pricing practices that disadvantage independent grocers. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Rep. Mike Rulli (R-OH) this week sent letters to the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission urging enforcement action. The letters call for investigation […]