Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series of articles intended to provide a view of the path to a brighter future for independent grocery as a whole and for independent grocers individually. As president of the Business Service Resource Group, I’ve spent over three decades working directly with family-owned businesses in the […]
Category: Independent Store News
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite Of Hunterdon County Launches Smart Caper Carts
Family-owned ShopRite of Hunterdon County is rolling out Caper Carts in September at its three New Jersey stores – Clinton, Flemington and Greenwich. Developed by Instacart and powered by AI, the carts feature interactive screens that let shoppers scan items as they shop, track their spending in real time and check out. The latest ShopRites, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Birdzi Launches DataScope Analytics Suite With Tops Friendly Markets
Birdzi has unveiled DataScope, a suite of retail-specific data analytics tools that were developed in close collaboration Tops Friendly Markets. Blending operational clarity with shopper-centric analytics, DataScope goes beyond traditional flat reports to offer merchandising and analytics teams a unified, multi-dimensional view of their business across products, stores and customer groups. It is now available […]
Posted inProduce News, Affiliated Foods, Independent Store News, Lowes Markets, News, Southwest
Lowe’s Markets, EmpowerFresh Expand Produce Partnership
Lowe’s Markets, a Texas-based grocery chain, has expanded its partnership with EmpowerFresh, an AI-powered ordering and analytics platform built for independents’ produce departments. Building on the success of an initial six-store pilot, the rollout will extend EmpowerFresh’s solutions to 68 locations across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Kansas. The produce department – often considered […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Dairy News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Friendly Markets, Garelick Farms Partner On Milk Donation Program
Throughout September, for every gallon of Garelick Farms’ milk purchased at 10 participating Tops locations, a carton of Giving Cow milk will be donated to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The donations come in cartons featuring playful cow characters. The single-serve, 8-ounce packs of ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurized milk have a shelf-life […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Recognized As A 2025 Best Workplace By Fortune
Publix Super Markets has been named to the Best Workplaces in Retail list by Fortune for the 12th consecutive year, ranking third of the 20 best large retail workplaces for 2025. Employees reported that the company’s welcoming and promote-from-within culture, customer service and dedication to community outreach are some of the reasons they enjoy working […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
Market of Choice Expands Support For Oregon’s Emerging Food Brands
Independent grocer Market of Choice continues to strengthen Oregon’s reputation as one of the nation’s most collaborative food innovation hubs by opening doors for emerging brands through its MOJO program and statewide partnerships. “Oregon’s food culture thrives on connection and collaboration,” said John Boyle, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Market of Choice. “By building connections between makers […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Applauds House Committee For Encouraging Antitrust Enforcement
The National Grocers Association (NGA) praised the House Appropriations Committee for including language in its fiscal year 2026 budget report urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce antitrust laws more aggressively within the food, pharmacy and retail sectors. The report accompanied the committee’s approval of legislation that funds the FTC’s budget. The committee language […]