by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Employee recruitment and retention remains a top issue facing the independent retail industry. According to many industry and academic research studies, at least 58 percent of U.S. retailers said that over the past two years, they have experienced hiring challenges that have negatively impacted their […]
Category: Association News
MGA Foundation Scholarship Tally Tops $90.5K
With funds raised from an annual golf event and silent auction, the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) Foundation has awarded $37,500 in scholarships to 25 employees or their dependents from member companies for the 2023-24 school year. In addition, the Piggyback Scholarship Program made available to MGA members allowed nine companies to award $53,000 in scholarships […]
FMI Endorses Senate Legislation Banning SNAP Processing Fees
FMI – The Food Industry Association welcomed the introduction of the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act (S. 2449) by Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Peter Welch (D-VT), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to prevent the levying of processing and other related fees on grocers for purchases made with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) […]
NGA Pleased With Proposed Merger Guidelines On Buyer Power
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice has released a much-anticipated proposed update to merger enforcement guidelines that marks a significant shift to incorporate concerns the NGA has raised with federal enforcers. The proposed draft rewrites merger enforcement standards to include new considerations for those that enhance buyer power. Specifically, one of the 13 proposed […]
WAFC’s Retail Management Certificate Program Marks Milestone
In reaching a milestone of 5,000 graduates from its Retail Management Certificate program, the Western Association of Food Chains was quick to credit leadership support. “The WAFC wants to recognize our board members and Cherie Phipps, senior director of the Retail Management Program, for being the driving force behind the program,” said Pat Posey, chief […]
NGA Encouraged By Bipartisan Focus On Grocery Competition
The National Grocers Association welcomed bipartisan discussion on competition policy and the bottom-line impact on independent grocers during a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing. When Federal Trade Commissioner Chair Lina Khan testified July 13 during an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, key Republicans and Democrats found some common ground in their lines of […]
Foundation Awareness Week Highlights NGAF’s Offerings
As part of Foundation Awareness Week, the National Grocers Association Foundation highlighted its initiatives to advance diversity, leadership development and careers in the independent grocery industry. The campaign July 10-14 focused on a different pillar of foundation priorities each day, with targeted content shared though member communications and social media posts, including testimonials by key […]
NGA Honors DeMarco With Spirit Of America Award
The National Grocers Association has presented Paul DeMarco with its Spirit of America Award, recognizing his commitment to the independent grocery industry. DeMarco, general counsel to the Alabama Grocers Association and a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives, received the award July 11 during AGA’s annual show at the Sandestin Golf and Beach […]
Accepting Medicare Advantage Healthy Benefit Cards: Payment Technology Considerations For Independent Grocers
by Ted Mason / Retail Technology Consultant Medicare Advantage healthy benefit cards offer a convenient way for eligible individuals to access their healthcare benefits, such as monthly allotments for the purchase of groceries and health-related products. More than 30 million Americans are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs, and at least 5 million participants are […]
The Evolving Landscape Of SNAP
by Pat Jones / Project Coordinator, NGAF TA Center The National Grocers Association Foundation Technical Assistance Center (NGAF TA Center) and the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC, also administered by the NGA Foundation), partnered with Miriam Seidel, a food systems and nutrition expert, to host a recent webinar, “The Evolving Landscape of SNAP.” […]
FMI Report: Firms Investing To Future-Proof Business
How are food retailers and suppliers reacting to inflation, as well as a myriad other challenges in this post-pandemic era? FMI–The Food Industry Association’s 74th annual The Food Retailing Industry Speaks report looks at what’s happening in the industry to better understand the issues, challenges and goals of its member companies in the industry as […]
Sometimes Less Is More For An On-Trend Store
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Remember back when gluten-free products were all the rage? Product manufacturers tripped over themselves trying to get gluten-free versions of everyday staples on store shelves. Even standbys like oatmeal and Rice Krispies proudly proclaimed themselves to be gluten free. Of course, they always were. But […]
5 Questions For The NGA Foundation
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs As we celebrate Foundation Awareness Week, we chat with the chairman and vice chairman of the NGA Foundation’s Board of Regents on the importance of leadership development, diversity and the future of the grocery industry. Kirk Clark, who chairs the Foundation board, is director of […]
Evergreen State Facing Regulations, Unwelcome Taxes This Year
A legislative special session, long-term care deductions and ergonomics have dominated the agenda so far this year for the Washington Food Industry Association, according to President Tammie Hetrick. Retail crime in the state has been emboldened in recent years due to limited policing ability. Police or security officers have been restricted from pursuing suspected shoplifters […]
FMI Bolsters Education Department With Additions Of Two Directors
In announcing their appointments July 6 as directors in its education department, FMI – The Food Industry Association said Kara Adams and Rebecca Daniels will help expand its e-learning offerings to better meet member needs. In addition, they will develop the program for the 2024 FMI Midwinter Executive Conference and oversee additional live meetings. “We […]
Celebrating Foundation Awareness Week Means Recognizing Impact Of Our Industry
The support upon which something rests. Justification or reason. An underlying basis or principle. These are among the dictionary definitions of “foundation.” And they’re all appropriate descriptions for the NGA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association that supports recruiting, retention and leadership development efforts for the future of the independent community grocer. […]
Nuñez Cepollaro Joins NGA To Lead Business Development
Sales and marketing veteran tapped to drive association membership and revenue growth Anita Nuñez Cepollaro has joined the National Grocers Association as VP of business development for the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry. Nuñez Cepollaro will help drive membership growth and NGA’s non-dues revenue programs, including event sponsorships and advertising programs. She joins […]
The Power Of Positioning: Bringing Products To Life
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs There is power in effective product positioning for your market. In a time of changing shopper behavior, it’s important to have criteria for valuing products and services to maximize consumer satisfaction. In a recent webinar, the final installment of a three-part category management series hosted […]
Plant-Based World Expo Set For Sept. 7-8
More than 4,000 people are expected to attend the sold-out Plant Based World Expo from Sept. 7-8 at the Javits Center in New York. The official trade show for the Plant Based Foods Association, the event is designed for foodservice and retail professionals, distributors, investors and manufacturers. “The plant-based industry has grown at lightning speed […]
Letting A Little Air Out Of Inflation Brings Grocers Some Peace
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs I don’t think anyone’s expecting inflation to go away in one huge pop, so with folks everywhere continuing to stress about high prices at the grocery store, any gentle hiss is a welcome relief. So, it was great news when announced recently that amid the […]
