Operational shrink may amount to $210,000 per store per year. The good news is that more than 50 percent of that is controllable. In a recent webinar hosted by NGA, Nick Lenzi, SVP of marketing at Lipari Foods, shared 20 “nickels” – costs savings throughout a grocery operation – which, when added up, will equal […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, National
Face Time For Independents On Capitol Hill
Things are heating up in Washington, as a divided Congress works toward a new Farm Bill and reshapes policy amid a hotly contested election year. Things were particularly hot – and sweaty – late last month, when independent grocers converged on Capitol Hill to make the case to their senators and representatives for supporting antitrust […]
Posted inAssociation News, Lipari Foods, National
NGA Foundation Wraps Up 2024 ELDP Conference
The NGA Foundation has completed its 2024 Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), a four-day conference offering personalized coaching and interactive leadership instruction. Held June 2-6 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and sponsored by PepsiCo, the program provides hands-on, lecture and group activities for high impact learning. This year’s session included about 40 participants […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Dairy News, Deli News, National
IDDBA Begins Anniversary Show In Houston
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association held its annual convention and expo June 9-11 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The show is the largest industry-only show for the dairy, deli, bakery and foodservice industries. The annual IDDBA trade show attracts more than 10,000 registrants, includes more than 800 exhibiting companies […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Grocery Industry In Ohio Both Prosperous, Challenging
Ohio’s grocers have grappled with several significant challenges in recent months, according to Kristin Mullins, president and CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association. Describing the complexity of the market as “a mixed bag of issues and successes,” Mullins noted that factors such as inflation, labor challenges and escalating competition – combined with the rising cost […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IDDBA Shares What’s In Store Live Sneak Peek
The IDDBA’s annual tradeshow is quickly approaching and the association has shared a sneak peek for its popular What’s in Store Live event. The show will be held June 9-11 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. “IDDBA’s vision is to be the essential resource for relevant information and services which add […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
Food City’s Harris Crowned Tennessee’s Best Bagger
Kobey Harris, a courtesy clerk at the Food City in Powell, took top honors at the annual Tennessee’s Best Bagger competition May 16, edging six other contestants from across the Volunteer State for the trophy. The event is part of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association’s annual convention. As state champion, Harris is eligible […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
SNAP Choice Preserved As Deliberations Continue On Nutrition Policies
A year ago, independent grocers were looking toward a reauthorization of the Farm Bill, the nation’s nutrition policy roadmap that’s supposed to be updated every five years. Work toward a new Farm Bill has continued since last November, when lawmakers passed a one-year extension to the 2018 legislation. A politically divided Congress continues to hammer […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Dairy News, Deli News, Southwest
IDDBA Show In Houston Marks Association’s 60th Anniversary
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and will mark the milestone at the upcoming IDDBA show to be held June 9-11 in Houston. Whitney Atkins, VP of marketing for IDDBA, said registration is on track to be as good or better than last year’s show in Anaheim, California. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
James, Koch Welcomed Into TGEF’s Hall Of Eagles
The Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation (TGEF), the nonprofit arm of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association (TGCSA), has inducted Betsi James of Food City and Paulo Koch of Alliance Retail Group into the Hall of Eagles, its hall of fame. “Betsi and Paulo are deserving of this high honor, because they have both made […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
What Grocers Need To Know About Avian Flu
Food safety is a top priority in American agriculture, and the egg and dairy sectors are no exception. Amid reports of the recurrence of avian flu in egg-laying flocks and its appearance in dairy herds, these industries are dedicated to keeping the nation’s food supply safe and secure. NGA hosted a recent webinar to review […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
TGCSA Recognizes 2024 Retailer, Supplier Of The Year
The board of directors of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association (TGCSA) has recognized Richard K. “Rick” James as its 2024 Retailer of the Year, while also identifying Tommy Harber as Supplier of the Year. The Retailer- and Supplier of the Year designations represent the highest honors bestowed by the organization’s member leadership, and traditionally […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Urges CMS To Address Disparities With Healthy Benefit Cards
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), highlighting critical gaps in healthy benefit card access in the Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI) food program. In its comments, NGA underscores the exclusion of independent grocers from healthy benefit cards and calls […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
PFMA Conference Highlights Food Industry Trends
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) welcomed industry leaders for its annual conference May 7-8 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. “It’s always a joy to unite our new members with long-standing partners for a rich blend of connection and education,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “This year, we grew our […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, IGA, National
IGA Brings Back Summer Grill Giveaway Sweepstakes
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has announced the return of the Celebrate Summer Grill Giveaway Sweepstakes. The Celebrate Summer Grill Giveaway will select three shoppers to win a dream grill of their choosing (valued at up to $1,000). Consumers can enter up to once a day at iga.com. Running through June 25, the giveaway is sponsored by The […]
Posted inBeverage News, Association News, National
Bottled Water Outsells Carbonated Soft Drinks For Eighth Year In A Row
Bottled water has retained its title as America’s favorite packaged drink, outselling carbonated soft drinks (by volume) for the eighth year in a row, new data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) shows. Bottled water’s total volume sold in 2023 was 15.94 billion gallons, compared to carbonated soft drinks, which sold 11.84 billion gallons. Bottled […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Honors Industry Leaders At ‘Night Of Distinction’
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) honored three industry leaders May 15 during its annual “Night of Distinction” reception. The event drew more than 500 guests, including prominent food industry executives across the region. Additionally, Anthony Calandra of Calandra’s Bakery of Newark spearheaded a drive to bring in scholarship donations to benefit the NJFC Educational […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Northeast, Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Building Strong Customer Relationships In Connecticut
One expert recently dubbed Connecticut’s grocery industry “a battleground of competition,” referring to the number of retailers in this market brandishing competitive pricing strategies to attract shoppers and online retail giants that are leveraging convenience with click-and-collect options. Price and convenience are valid drivers, especially given the economic pressure facing residents. But as independent retailers […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Wraps Successful Fly-In For Fair Competition
The National Grocers Association (NGA) concluded its annual Fly-In for Fair Competition May 22 with attendees participating in 200 critical meetings with decision makers on Capitol Hill. “Over the last two days, independent grocers made their voices heard on Capitol Hill by advocating for antitrust enforcement, SNAP choice and credit card swipe fee reform, all […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
Independent Grocer Testifies On Protecting SNAP Choice
Michael Gay, owner and single-store operator of Food Fresh in rural Evans County, Georgia, testified before Congress May 22, warning that limiting SNAP choice would undermine the program’s effectiveness, create confusion for participants and impose a costly bureaucratic burden on small businesses nationwide. “Restricting eligible items to those approved by the USDA will quickly drive […]