Retail sales showed moderate monthly growth and strong year-over-year gains in January, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.72 percent unadjusted year […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
Publix Associate Prevails In Best Bagger Championship
The National Grocers Association (NGA) awarded a $10,000 cash prize to Rocco Cammarota of Publix Super Markets in Georgia after he finished first in the Best Bagger Championship on Feb. 2. Sponsored by PepsiCo, the competition took place during the second day of The NGA Show at Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas. The annual gathering brings […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, IGA, National, News
IGA Centennial USA Retailers Of The Year Recognized
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has announced its 2026 Centennial USA Retailers of the Year, recognizing a group of independent grocers whose leadership, innovation and commitment to their communities exemplify the values that have defined IGA for the past 100 years. The retailers were announced during the welcome reception at The NGA Show 2026, marking […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, National, News
Organic & Natural Health Association Honors SENPA’s Short With Champion Award
The Organic & Natural Health Association presented Debra Short, executive director of the Southeast Natural Products Association, with its Champion Award Jan. 22 at the conclusion of its 11th annual conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Short was honored her commitment to advocacy, education and support of independent natural products retailers. She opened the conference, “The […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
Fresh Produce White Paper Links Fruits, Vegetables To Reduced Disease Risk
The Foundation for Fresh Produce has released a white paper examining how fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer, the Newark, Delaware-based organization announced Feb. 9. “Fruits, Vegetables, and Human Health: Key Nutrients and Their Role in Chronic Diseases,” written by the foundation’s Chief Medical […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Names Smith, Bradley 2026 Candy Dish Award Winners
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Nancy Smith, national account manager at Premier Specialty, as the 2026 Golden Candy Dish Award recipient and Paul Bradley, sales director at Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc., as the Silver Candy Dish Award winner. The awards recognize those who have strengthened connections between manufacturers, broker sales agents and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Welcomes 9 New Members To Board Of Directors
The National Grocers Association has announced changes to its board of directors, welcoming nine new members and thanking six outgoing members for their service. The announcement was made during The NGA Show 2026 in Las Vegas. The incoming board members are Ryan Adams, Gelson’s Markets; Steve Clark, County Fair Food Stores; Jeff Gross, Federated Group […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, West
AFMA: Grocers Weather Supply Chain Uncertainties, Keep Focus On Customers
Lisa Bednar, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, took time out of her busy legislative season to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the West’s Lorrie Griffith about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. We’re coming out of a year that saw a new administration in the White House, a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, News, West
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Wins NGA’s Student Case Study Competition
The National Grocers Association Foundation shared that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo won the NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition following presentations at The NGA Show in Las Vegas. This year’s case study, “Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired,” challenged students to develop innovative, practical solutions for Nugget Markets, a 16-location independent grocer across Northern […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, Finance News, News, Northeast
PFMA Applauds PA House Committee Vote On Swipe Fee Relief Bill
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association praised the Pennsylvania House Finance Committee for advancing House Bill 2090, legislation that would stop credit card companies from charging swipe fees on commonwealth sales tax. HB 2090 addresses an imbalance in the credit card marketplace where two payment networks control more than 80 percent of the market and impose […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, News, West
Natural Products Expo West Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Natural Products Expo West returns March 3-6 to Anaheim, California, with new features and a keynote lineup designed to elevate the attendee experience as the show celebrates its 45th anniversary. The leading event for the organic and natural products industry will feature educational sessions and networking opportunities covering sustainability practices and market trends. New show […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Health & Wellness, National, News
FMI Applauds Congressional Passage Of Landmark PBM Reforms
FMI – The Food Industry Association applauded final passage of HR 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a 217-214 vote Feb. 3, securing the most consequential pharmacy benefit manager reforms to date and representing a major step forward for patients, pharmacies, employers and the communities they serve. “These bipartisan reforms represent a major step […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, National, News
WGA President Popp Named 2026 Woman Of The Year At NGA Show
The National Grocers Association has named Kristin Popp, president of Women Grocers of America (WGA) and EVP of Woodman’s Food Markets, as the 2026 WGA Woman of the Year. Popp was honored during The NGA Show in Las Vegas. Established by the WGA Board of Directors in 1996, award recognizes women who exemplify leadership, passion […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Midwest, News
Walt Churchill’s Market Receives NGA’s Peter J. Larkin Award
The National Grocers Association (NGA) presented the Peter J. Larkin Award for Community Service to Ohio-based Walt Churchill’s Market during the opening session of The NGA Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 1. The award honors independent grocers that exemplify exceptional dedication to community engagement and service. For more than 100 years, Walt Churchill’s Market […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Nonfood Items
Inspired Home Show 2026 Set For March 10-12 In Chicago
The Inspired Home Show 2026 will take place March 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, bringing together more than 2,000 brands and 300,000 products for North America’s largest home and housewares industry event. The show, organized annually by the Rosemont, Illinois-based International Housewares Association (IHA), will feature key retailers and brands from around the globe. Major […]
Posted inAssociation News, Independent Store News, National, News
NGA Recognizes Creative Choice Awards Winners At 2026 Show
The National Grocers Association honored the winners of its annual Creative Choice Awards at The NGA Show on Feb. 1 in Las Vegas, recognizing outstanding marketing and merchandising programs from independent grocery retailers across the country. Houchens Food Group received two national awards this year. The Bowling Green, Kentucky-based, 100-percent employee-owned company received the Unilever […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Independent Store News, National, News
NGA Honors Hugo’s Magnuson Nelson With Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
The National Grocers Association named Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president of Grand Forks, North Dakota-based Hugo’s Family Marketplace, as the 2026 recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. One of the most prestigious honors in the independent grocery industry, the award honors the legacy of Zaucha, NGA’s first president and CEO, whose career was […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Penguin Pitch Spotlights Emerging Frozen, Refrigerated Brands
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association’s (NFRA) Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest is returning for its third year, recognizing innovative frozen and refrigerated food brands redefining their categories through product development, creative packaging and strategic market execution. Launched Jan. 1, Penguin Pitch provides emerging brands with an opportunity to gain visibility among retailers, distributors […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
IGA Debuts Community Development Program To Address Food Desert Crisis
The Independent Grocers Alliance has launched IGA Community Development, a new initiative designed to expand access to fresh, affordable food in underserved urban and rural communities across the U.S. The new area of focus for IGA involves matching funding from communities, nonprofits and other developmental entities with independent retailers. This allows those retailers to open […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Shares 2026 Creative Choice Award Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has shared the winners of the 2026 Creative Choice Awards, recognizing top marketing and merchandising programs in the independent grocery industry. The awards, supported by Cheez-It and Unilever, will be presented during The NGA Show, which runs Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. A Unilever […]