Tom Leonard, owner of Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market in Richmond, Virginia, learned many life lessons from his father, including how to succeed in the food business. He said his father, the late Stew Leonard, had two rules, which literally were set in stone. “Rule one, the customer’s always right. Rule two, if they’re wrong, reread […]
Category: Independent Store News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Super One Foods Celebrates New Store In Walker, MN
Super One Foods recently held a grand opening celebration for a replacement store in the northern Minnesota town of Walker. Parent company Miner’s Inc. broke ground on the project, which represents a $15 million investment, in summer 2023. The new location, about double the size of the previous one, was built behind the former store. […]
Posted inCentral Market, Independent Store News, Southwest
Central Market Moving Forward On Uptown Dallas Site
Central Market has unveiled preliminary drawings for a location in Uptown Dallas, Texas, that has been on hold since 2023, when plans for a high rise, mixed-use project were complicated by a softer post-COVID commercial market. Central Market, which took assignment of the property in 2016, has since designed a new standalone store within parameters […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, National
More Independent Grocers Adopting Instacart’s Caper Carts
Several independent grocers – including Bowman’s Market, Maurer’s Market IGA, Neiman’s Family Market, Queen’s Price Chopper and Soelbergs Market – are adopting Caper Carts, Instacart’s artificial intelligence-powered smart carts. The carts offer customers shopping in these stores – which operate across Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington – a more personalized shopping experience. Caper Carts are equipped with cameras, sensors […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Southeast
Houchens Food Group Announces Death Of Former Longtime Leader
Houchens Food Group has announced the death of former President and COO James “Jimmy” Kent Nichols, on Nov. 5, 2024, 11 days after being diagnosed with glioblastoma. Nichols was born on July 10, 1959, in Clifton, Texas, and graduated from Crockett High School in Austin in 1977, according to his obituary. He got his start […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Midwest, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Making Name For Themselves In Illinois
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 […]
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 […]