FMI – The Food Industry Association announced that 17 industry leaders, representing the breadth of the product supplier and retailer/wholesaler communities, have been elected to its board of directors. “FMI is incredibly grateful to have leaders from across the food industry serve on our Board of Directors, who believe whole-heartedly in our mission to feed […]
Category: Association News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Introduces Grocery Guard Outreach Program
In an effort to strengthen its advocacy efforts by establishing precise connections on Capitol Hill, the National Grocers Association has unveiled its Grocery Guard program. The program is a nationwide network of owners and industry leaders who have volunteered to contact a member of Congress when the independent grocery industry needs to relay the importance […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
Alabama Grocers Education Foundation Holds Clay Shoot Fundraiser
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation held its Annual Fall Clay Shoot on Oct. 12 at Selwood Farms in Alpine, Alabama. The event raised funds for the foundation to provide scholarships to employees and children of employees of Alabama Grocers Association companies. This year, it awarded 52 scholarships valued at more than $50,000. To date, Alabama […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Association News, West
Utah ‘Exceptional’ State For Independent Grocers
Utah was named the No. 1 state for economic outlook for the 16th year in a row by Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index. According to a statement from the office of Gov. Spencer Cox, this is attributed to “strategic policies, smart fiscal decisions and forward-thinking reserve funds, combined with the hard […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Retailers Celebrate Approval Of Pro-Business Legislation In Missouri
The Missouri Grocers Association and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry are celebrating multiple wins following this year’s state legislative session. “[It] will go down as one of the more productive for Missouri job creators,” said Dan Mehan, chamber president and CEO, in a July press release. Gov. Mike Parson signed 31 pieces of […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NAPAR Rebrands As Produce Distributors Association
Originally founded in 1989, NAPAR (National Association of Perishable Agricultural Receivers) has been rebranded into the Produce Distributors Association. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it is the first organization of its kind that solely advocates for fresh produce distributors. Initially an east coast-based organization made up of terminal market members, a key goal of the organization is […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, Guest Contributors, National, Whole Foods
What Grocers Need To Know About Omnichannel For 2024
With year-over-year online channel sales up 17 percent and vastly outpacing in-store growth, understanding omnichannel shopper behavior is vital for retailers of all sizes. As independent grocers, how can you better understand today’s omni shoppers? In a recent webinar hosted by the National Grocers Association, experts from Nielsen IQ offered valuable insights along with a […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
5 Questions For Daniel Nazario
The regional vice president for wholesale at Kellanova shares his thoughts about the state of the industry for independent grocers and his outlook for the coming months. Challenges of the past year continue to linger into 2023, and despite a gradual easing of inflation, operators as well as consumers are still feeling the pressure. What […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, Meijer, National
Health, Tech Highlight 2023 Global Produce And Floral Show
The greatest challenge for the fresh produce and floral industry continues to be getting people to consume more of its products, according to Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. “If you look at the data, consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables remains well below both the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the World […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, National
Study Touts Corrugated Packaging Industry’s Sustainability Leadership
The corrugated packaging industry has achieved substantial reductions in the environmental impacts of a corrugated cardboard box, according to a new life cycle assessment. The study shows a 50 percent per unit reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2006-20, tackling the most urgent and predominant causes of a changing climate. The LCA, conducted for the […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, Food Lion, Frozen Food, Meijer, National, Sustainability News
EPA’s GreenChill Program Recognizes Achievements In Refrigerant Management
In a ceremony at the FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Energy and Store Development Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Program recognized 12 food retail companies and one manufacturer of advanced refrigeration systems for their achievements. “Participants in the GreenChill Partnership and Store Certification Programs have been leading the industry […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National
FMI Report: Grocery Shoppers Turning To Private Brands
Grocery shoppers are not only buying private brands more often but are drawn to them by factors that go beyond the affordable prices and overall value with which they are typically associated. Those were among the key takeaways from the second installment of FMI – The Food Industry Association’s 2023 Power of Private Brands series, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Consumers Deserve Hassle-Free Healthy Benefits At All Grocery Stores
Imagine for a moment seeing some neighbors shopping for groceries. Their cart is filled with all the products they need to prepare meals for their family during the coming week. Up at the check stand, they unload their cart and the checker rings them up. Then they present a payment card that promised to cover […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Food Trends For Fall and Winter
What trends should independent grocers be leveraging in Q4 to maximize sales and customer satisfaction? Fresh is always a winner, but there are plenty of other bright areas this season, ripe for opportunity throughout the store to give independents an edge with consumers planning their fall and winter menus. NGA hosted a recent webinar in […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National
IGA’s Ross To Deliver Keynote At PLMA Show
IGA Inc. President and CEO John Ross will be the keynote speaker at PLMA’s 2023 Annual Private Label Trade Show Nov. 12-14 in Chicago. Ross will speak at the Nov. 13 keynote breakfast, “Economics, Global Retailing and the Opportunity for Private Label Growth.” He is responsible for domestic and global operations for IGA, the world’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Partners With IACC To Help Independent Grocers
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has partnered with the Italy America Chamber of Commerce (IACC) to access new products and resources to benefit independent grocers across the U.S. The IACC is a private, not-for-profit membership organization that brings together businesses and advances the interests of its members through contacts and interaction with Italian government agencies, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Southeast
Foothills IGA’s Former Owners Receive ‘Spirit of IGA’ Award
The Independent Grocers Alliance has honored Jeff and Sandy Downing, former owners of Foothills IGA in Marble Hill, Georgia, with the “Spirit of IGA” Award in recognition of their store’s customer service, high-quality food and community engagement over the past 21 years. The award also recognizes the contributions of the Downings, who are enjoying retirement […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, Independent Store News, National
Retailer Perspective On The Economic Outlook For Independent Grocers
Record inflation has been putting pressure on independent grocers as well as their customers, stretching folks’ spending power and retailers’ ability to deliver value. There are signs that things are easing up, but is anyone feeling it yet? The National Grocers Association hosted a recent webinar exploring current economic conditions driving the marketplace, what independent […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Livestock Changes Looming In California
California’s Proposition 12, which prohibits the sale of uncooked meat or eggs from producers that don’t comply with new state requirements, has been finalized after years of uncertainty, unclear wording and lawsuits. What’s next? Well, according to California Grocers Association President Ron Fong, there’s likely “going to be a shortage in the marketplace.” “The [California […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
NGA: Merger Rules Update Should Address Economic Discrimination
The National Grocers Association (NGA) supports the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission’s move to rewrite guidelines to curb mergers that enhance anti-competitive buyer power but asks that the final guidelines go further. According to the NGA, the rules should address the theories of harm that occur when enhanced buyer power is transformed into […]