While established chains such as Albertsons, Kroger and Jewel-Osco continue to hold significant market share in Illinois, independent grocers are a growing segment. Armed with a passion for food, commitment to community and knack for innovation, they are reimagining the shopping experience and carving out a niche that is reshaping the way people shop. Among […]
Category: Independent Store News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Bowman’s Market Introduces Instacart’s Smart Carts
Bowman’s Market has introduced Caper Carts, Instacart’s artificial intelligence-powered smart carts, to enhance the in-store shopping experience at its store in Kaysville, Utah. The carts allow customers to scan, bag and pay for their items on the Caper Cart – streamlining the shopping process and eliminating the need to wait to check out. Caper Carts […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Bozzuto's Wholesale Distribution, Northeast
Bozzuto’s Acquires Majority Stake In Roche Bros.
Bozzuto’s, one of the largest grocery suppliers in the Northeast, has acquired a majority stake in Massachusetts-based Roche Bros. grocery chain. After many decades of family ownership, Roche Bros. said the decision marks an important step in its evolution, aimed at sustaining the company’s legacy while positioning it for new opportunities. The transaction will enable the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest
Fareway Celebrates New Store Opening In Story City, IA
Fareway Stores Inc. held a ribbon cutting and grand-opening ceremony Nov. 5 for a new 10,800-square-foot store at 1550 Broad St. in Story City, Iowa, that fills the void left after the town’s previous grocery store closed in August 2021. “Communities depend on a local grocer to offer high quality products and unmatched service. Fareway values […]
Posted inBig Y Foods, Independent Store News, Northeast
Big Y Celebrates Store Grand Opening In Westport, CT
Big Y has opened a new store at 1076 Post Road East in Westport, Connecticut, the third new market to open in the state this year. Grand opening festivities will take place on Nov. 7, including giveaways, special offers and sample tastings. New myBigY members will receive 500 myBigY Rewards points when $10 is spent […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Layout, West
Town & Country Markets Showcases Remodeled Store In Poulsbo, WA
Town & Country Markets has completed the refresh of its store in Poulsbo, Washington, showcasing a new fresh prep counter, community kitchen and opening of its third Field House market-to-table restaurant location. Town & Country’s Poulsbo market also has a revitalized layout, responding to customer feedback and analysis of flow to enhance the shopper experience. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Oklahoma’s Super C Mart Committed To Communities, Growth
Super C Mart is a progressive independent grocer. Though its eight stores operate in predominantly rural areas of southern Oklahoma, it has an app with digital coupons, sells sushi in one of its stores and its top two leaders are women. Nikki Carver succeeded her father as president and CEO in 2020, and COO Angela […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National
Time For Independent Grocers, Their Communities To Give Thanks For Each Other
Being the heart of the community takes on a deeper meaning at this time of year, as the fall and winter holidays traditionally center around the family table, and independent grocers bear a great responsibility in helping folks fill that table. This year, as Thanksgiving approaches, we should pause to consider our fellow Americans impacted […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, Southeast
Food City Begins Annual ‘Friends & Pets’ Holiday Food Drive
Food City has launched its seventh annual Friends & Pets in Need Holiday Food Drive. “Hunger is a serious problem throughout our region, especially during the holidays and colder winter months,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City’s president and CEO. “Food City is proud to host a number of hunger relief programs throughout the year, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
T&T Supermarkets To Open First U.S. Store Dec. 5 In Bellevue, WA
T&T Supermarket will hold a grand opening for its flagship U.S. store Dec. 5 at The Marketplace at Factoria, 12620 SE 41st Place in Bellevue, Washington. Spanning 76,000 square feet, this will be the largest Asian supermarket in Washington, offering an assortment of authentic products, fresh produce, live seafood, an in-store kitchen and bakery and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Grocery Store Layout, National
Survey Highlights How Grocery Stores Can Improve In-Store Experience
Experience agency ChangeUp has published results from a nationwide survey that highlights how grocery stores can better meet and exceed customer expectations. ChangeUp’s team of retail experts and strategists surveyed 800 grocery shoppers to explore the growing disconnect between today’s sophisticated shoppers and grocery stores. The report, “How Shoppers are Outpacing Store Evolution,” was conducted to provide retailers with critical […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Southeast
Houchens Food Group Honors Food Giant MS Store Managers In Hattiesburg
Houchens Food Group’s Store Manager Appreciation Awards events continued in August for both Food Giant divisions. Events were held in Biloxi and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Dothan, Alabama. A luncheon was held Aug. 15 at Doubletree by Hilton in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Special speakers included Stephanie Reid from Shelby Publishing, Shane Allison from Alliance Retail Group and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Honors Ron And Jennifer Graff’s Commitment To Advocacy
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recognized independent grocery retailers Ron and Jennifer Graff for their commitment to political advocacy on behalf of the independent grocery industry. The Thomas F. Wenning Pinnacle PAC Award was presented during NGA’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit, held Oct. 28-30 in Washington, D.C. The award, given to NGA members […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
H-E-B Continues Expanding With New Store In Cypress, TX
H-E-B held a grand opening Oct. 30 for its new 128,000-square-foot store – H-E-B Bridgeland – at 20017 Bridgeland Creek Pkwy. in Cypress, Texas. The site is filled with aisle-to-aisle conveniences, amenities and a vast selection of products, as well as expanded specialty and international offerings. The H-E-B Cypress store will be home to the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Northeast
Karns Foods Was ‘Doing Local’ Long Before It Became Trendy
The Karns family has been operating retail stores in central Pennsylvania since 1959. Andrea Karns surmises that it is unlikely her grandfather knew when he opened his butcher shop all those years ago that his reputation for offering top cuts of meat would be one of the many reasons customers continue to shop at Karns […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Brookshire Grocery Co., Southwest
Brookshire Grocery Co. To Acquire Four Shoppin’ Baskit Locations
Brookshire Grocery Co. has announced plans to acquire the Shoppin’ Baskit locations in Ranger, Coleman, Ballinger and De Leon, Texas. The locations will become Spring Market stores following a short closure for conversion in December. The expansion includes a partnership with Brookshire Grocery Co. and ACE Hardware to continue offering ACE products in the Ballinger […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Taps Brindle For Advisory Role To Di Bruno Bros.
Wakefern Food Corp. has appointed industry veteran Rick Brindle to an advisory role, supporting the expansion and distribution of its Di Bruno Bros. portfolio of products. “We are thrilled to have Rick support the Wakefern team,” said President Mike Stigers. “His extensive background in CPG and online grocery retailing will be invaluable as we expand […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Expands Pickup Services To 7 NY Locations
Tops Friendly Markets is expanding its Instacart services to include pickup at seven stores in New York. Previously available at 139 Tops locations throughout the company’s footprint, the feature will be available at the following locations: 3500 Main St. in Amherst; 345 Amherst St. in Buffalo; 1460 S. Park Ave. in Buffalo; 6363 Transit Road […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Heritage Grocers Group Begins Annual Photo Contest
Heritage Grocers Group has begun its annual La Catrina Mas Catrina photo submission contest across all stores under its Cardenas Markets and Tony’s Fresh Market banners. Through Nov. 2, customers can submit a selfie with a Day of the Dead, La Catrina-style sugar skull make-up through the Cardenas or Tony’s Fresh websites for a chance to win up to $500 in gift […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Northeast
Authenticity, Discovery Foundations Of Friends’ Marketplace In MA
Reflecting on the past eight years of running Friends’ Marketplace in Massachusetts and the decision to buy the two stores from his father, Brian Junkins and wife Monila have encountered challenges along the way but are proud of what they have created. Among the changes the pair have made since taking over include expanding the […]