Indiana grocery and convenience retailers are facing mounting pressure from state tax policies, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program restrictions and transportation regulations, according to Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association. Lackey said while the state is financially stronger this year – “they’re suddenly finding money all kinds of places” – legislators […]
Category: Independent Store News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Featured News, Midwest, News
Balls Food Stores Names Campbell President
Balls Food Stores has named Ryan Campbell president as David Ball, third-generation leader, transitions to the role of chairman of the board of directors, where he will focus on growth through acquisitions and mergers. Balls Food Stores is a 100 percent teammate-owned company and one of the largest locally owned grocery retailers in the Kansas […]
Expert Article
Know Your Numbers: The Financial Habits Behind Independent Grocery’s Top Performers
Jon Cline knows the grocery business from the ground up. He started bagging groceries at Safeway in high school, managed a 7-Eleven while earning his accounting degree at the University of Oklahoma, and went on to build a career spanning some of the industry’s biggest names: Arthur Andersen, Scrivner, Fleming and Supervalu. At FMS Solutions, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Honors 18 Hunger-Relief Volunteers With Gift Cards, Donations
Meijer has named 18 community volunteers as recipients of its annual Hunger Relief Hero Award, a program that recognizes those who have made significant contributions to fighting food insecurity in the Midwest. Each honoree receives a $500 Meijer gift card and a commemorative plaque. The hunger-relief nonprofit that nominated them also gets a $5,000 donation […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS Collects 165K Pounds Of Food In UT Statewide Drive
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and its network of independent retailers played a pivotal role in the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, collecting 165,443 pounds of food – more than half of the statewide total. The fifth annual drive, held in March, brought communities across Utah together to fight hunger. Food insecurity affects one in five […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Uncle Giuseppe’s Brings Seasonal Italian Pop‑Up Back To Fire Island, NY
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace is reopening its seasonal pop‑up inside Ocean Beach Trading on Fire Island and offering online ordering for next‑day delivery by ferry. Fire Island is a barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, New York, accessible only by ferry, with no cars allowed. This geography makes grocery shopping a logistical challenge […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Impact Report: Rewards Surpass 750K Users, $1.7M In Savings
St. Louis-based Save A Lot has released its 2025 “A Lot of Good Report,” detailing progress in loyalty, private label innovation, store network investment and community support. “Customers are feeling squeezed, and winning loyalty today requires real engagement and focus,” said Save A Lot CEO Bill Mayo. “The stories in this report are examples of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, Natural Grocers, News
Natural Grocers To Debut First Wisconsin Store In Lake Geneva
Natural Grocers will open its first Wisconsin store June 10 at 600 N. Edwards Blvd. in Lake Geneva, serving the southeastern part of the state and northern Illinois. The grand opening celebration will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a $2,500 donation to the Lake Geneva Food Pantry, followed by a ribbon‑cutting ceremony with Visit Lake […]