Stephen Butt, H-E-B’s president of shareholder relations and the Central Market division, talks about the origins of Central Market and how it has evolved over the years. What prompted the creation of Central Market? How did the idea for this concept come to be? In the mid-1980s, H-E-B was becoming “restlessly dissatisfied” with the lack […]
Category: Independent Store News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Central Market, Southwest
‘Let’s Renew Our Wows’ – Central Market Celebrates 30 Years Of Sharing Love Of Food
With its launch 30 years ago in Austin, Texas, the foodie-focused Central Market format put H-E-B on the path to becoming the highly successful multi-format retailer it is today. Central Market was born out of the retailer’s desire to create something new and exciting for its shoppers. Inspired by European markets, the stores have winding […]
Posted inMerchandising News, Independent Store News, Industry Leaders Speak, National
Winning the Shrink Battle – How Independent Grocers Can Maximize Their Margins
Sponsored content Shrink silently chips away at profits through outdated product, theft, overstocking, damage and errors. These losses aren’t just missed revenue – they lead to dissatisfied customers and reduced reinvestment opportunities. Reducing shrink isn’t just about cutting losses – it’s about gaining clarity, control and profitability in a competitive industry. Shrink is the difference […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
Employee-Owned Food Giant Serves Rural MS By Focusing On Price, Quality
Location, customer service, price and quality are just a few of the attributes that help Food Giant stores in northern Mississippi stand out. The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with David Holcomb, division manager, to learn more about the company’s competitive strategy. How long has Food Giant been operating in Mississippi? Kenneth Storey, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Schnucks
Schnucks Donates $200K To The Salvation Army
Schnucks Markets customers and the company donated $200,000 to The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign through the most recent “Round Up at the Register” fundraiser. Schnucks customers had the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with 100 percent of donations from the 15-day campaign benefiting The Salvation Army. Customers donated […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest
There’s More To Kansas-Based Hired Man’s Grocery Than ‘Exceptional’ Meat Department
The Shelby Report of the Midwest recently visited with Jenny Osner, who along with husband Clint owns Hired Man’s Grocery & Grill in Conway Springs, Kansas, to find out how the pair got started in the grocery industry and their strategy for standing out in a competitive market. How did Hired Man’s Grocery & Grill […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest
Meijer Surprises Customers With Shopping Sprees During Very Merry Event
As part of the 11th annual Very Merry Meijer event, Meijer surprised a customer at each of its store across the Midwest with a $1,000 shopping spree, while three employees at every site received gift cards. The event, which began in 2014 to help spread holiday cheer in stores, has grown into an annual tradition […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Feature, Midwest
Fareway Stores’ Headquarters Moves To Johnston, IA
Fareway Stores has completed the move to its new corporate headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, a suburb west of Des Moines that’s about a 30-minute drive from the grocer’s former base in Boone, north of the city. However, the Boone complex continues to be home to more than 100 staff members on the wholesale/warehouse side of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Weis Markets
Weis Markets Buying Saylor’s Market In Newville, PA
Weis Markets has entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets of Saylor’s Market at 37 Carlisle Road in Newville, Pennsylvania. The company expects to complete the purchase in the first quarter of 2025, with the store briefly closing afterward for conversion to a Weis Markets. “Saylor’s has served the Newville community with a strong focus on […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Report: 80% Of Americans Will See Grocery Bills Rise During Holidays
The latest research from Upgraded Points finds that 80 percent of Americans will see their grocery bills increase this holiday season, with 65 percent shopping more frequently during this time. The report explores these holiday spending habits and the regional differences in grocery shopping, delving into factors such as store density and budgeting to provide […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Independent Store News, Southeast
AWG Member Roberts Co. Joins Upside To Boost Loyalty
Roberts Company Inc., a grocery chain operating Corner Market and Grocery Depot locations in the Jackson/Hattiesburg, Mississippi, area, has partnered with Upside, building on the technology firm’s efforts to support Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) members. “We are committed to delivering exceptional service, and Upside’s work to drive more customers to our Corner Market and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hannaford Supermarkets, Northeast
Hannaford Donates $50K Lottery Commission To Nonprofits
The Tri-State Megabucks ticket sold in St. Albans, Vermont, that produced a $6.27 million winner in September will have a community impact thanks to Hannaford Supermarkets, the grocery retailer that sold it. Hannaford has donated its $50,000 commission from selling the winning ticket to three local nonprofits focused on increasing access to food and shelter […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Meijer, National, Walmart
Meijer, Walmart Partner With Wreaths Across America
In honor of this year’s National Wreaths Across America Day, typically held the second Saturday in December, Meijer and Walmart partnered with the organization to lay wreaths on the headstones of veterans buried in cemeteries across the U.S. Wreaths Across America’s mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans while teaching younger generations […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores To Open Two Arkansas Stores In 2025
Harps Food Stores Inc. is planning two new stores in Arkansas – one each in Conway and Fort Smith – that are set to open next year. The first store, whose opening is slated for spring, will be at 3200 Dave Ward Drive in Conway. The second, at 6400 Veterans Ave. in Fort Smith, has […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Acosta Group Makes Consumer Predictions For 2025
Acosta Group has shared its 2025 consumer predictions, highlighting a redefined focus on value, offerings and shopper connections and experiences. Compiled by retail experts and industry thought leaders, the forecast is based on comprehensive research, as well as studies conducted throughout the year, providing a view of evolving consumer behaviors for brands, retailers and foodservice […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Retailer of the Year, Wakefern
Stigers Using All Career Experiences To Lead Wakefern Food Corp.
Mike Stigers is in his second year of serving as president of Wakefern Food Corp., a role he feels he was preparing for throughout his five-decade career in the grocery industry. Stigers started out as a part-time courtesy clerk at Safeway in California in 1974. Over the years, in subsequent roles in retail and wholesale, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National
NGA Commends FTC’s Enforcement Of Robinson-Patman Act
In a 3-2 vote, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took action Dec. 12 to restore enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act, an antitrust law that will level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses. The FTC sued the largest U.S. distributor of wine and spirits – Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits LLC (Southern) – contending […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Continues Southeast Expansion With New Stores
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix Super Markets has continued its expansion in recent weeks by opening several new stores across the Southeast, including four in the Sunshine State and one each in Georgia and Virginia. St. Cloud, Florida Publix opened a new location Dec. 12 at 2895 N. Narcoossee Road, offering departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Guest Contributors, The Kroger Co., West
Populous West Home To Dynamic, Diverse Grocery Market
The grocery retail landscape in the western United States is as diverse and dynamic as the region itself. Across states, we find one of the most varied geographic landscapes in the country. The region presents a diverse range of climates and terrains, from deserts throughout Arizona, Nevada and California to rainforests in Washington and Alaska. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Retailer of the Year, Wakefern
Wakefern – Powering Success Of Membership For Nearly Eight Decades
Wakefern President Mike Stigers took to the stage Oct. 17 at the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey, for Wakefern Food Corp.’s Annual Meeting. In the ballroom audience and tuning in virtually were thousands of retail and corporate team members who came together to hear important business updates from leadership and plans for the next year. […]