Mike Johnson, VP of merchandising for King Soopers and a member of the Western Association of Food Chain’s board of directors, spoke with The Shelby Report’s VP Jan Meade at the WAFC Convention about the benefits of the organization. Johnson, who also has worked for The Kroger Co.’s Fred Meyer and Kroger banners, said the […]
Category: Association News
Posted inAssociation News, Feature, West
WAFC Convention Setting Records For Attendance
The Shelby Report’s EVP Bob Reeves caught up with Joe Perez, headlite of the Illuminators, on May 7 during the Western Association of Food Chain’s Convention in Palm Desert, California. Perez said he is extremely excited, noting there is “a lot of high energy and momentum in the industry.” The convention began May 6 with […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Jackie LaPointe
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs The director of grocery at retail technology company Upside shares her thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. 1. Challenges of the past year continue to linger into 2023, and despite a gradual easing of inflation, operators […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, National
NGA Foundation Appoints Underwood As SEMTAC Project Director
The National Grocers Association Foundation has appointed Brielle Underwood as its project director for the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center. Underwood comes to the NGA Foundation from The Food Trust in Philadelphia, for which she served as a project manager, overseeing the organization’s farmers market programs and assisting with grant reporting and evaluation. “We […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
WGA’s Emerging Leaders Share Group Premieres In Chicago
Women Grocers of America, operating as a professional development network supported by the National Grocers Association Foundation, launched its new emerging leaders share group, setting the stage for the second meeting of the Executive Female Leadership Network in Chicago. The first gathering of the Emerging Female Leaders share group attracted 13 participants for two days of education, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
FMI Names 12 Finalists For Outstanding Store Manager Awards
This year’s awards competition witnessed record-breaking participation FMI – The Food Industry Association has named 12 finalists for its 2023 Store Manager Awards. From a record 175 nominations, these outstanding store managers stood out from the crowd for their ability to generate sales growth, effectively communicate company and store goals and objectives, demonstrate team leadership in their […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
The Art And Science Of Product Selection
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Getting product assortment right is not an easy task, yet it is absolutely critical to retail success. Unlike inventory management and pricing, where there may be considerable data and analytical tools to guide decision making, assortment optimization requires a balance of art with science, especially […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Beyond The Fruited Plain: A Grocery Perspective On 2023 Farm Bill
Work on a Farm Bill reauthorization is under way, and as this column goes to press, Washington observers anticipate an uptick in activity toward the food and ag package that holds significant impact for independent grocers, especially those in historically underserved parts of the country. Earlier this year, NGA outlined its 2023 Farm Bill priorities […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Gent Joins Consumer Brands As EVP Of Industry Engagement
The Consumer Brands Association has named Genna Gent EVP of industry engagement, effective May 17. “This is such an important hire at such an important time for the association, and I could not be more pleased to be welcoming Genna to the team,” said David Chavern, president and CEO. “Genna brings exceptional experience as a […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News
Viva Fresh Donates 20K+ Pounds Of Fresh Produce
Donation to North Texas Food Bank aims to help close hunger gap The Texas International Produce Association again teamed up with the North Texas Food Bank of Plano, Texas, to help close the hunger gap. At the conclusion of the Viva Fresh Expo earlier this month, 21,806 pounds of fresh produce was donated. The donation […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Experts Optimistic That Inflation Will Decrease In 2023
FMI – the Food Industry Association hosted a briefing March 15, “Impact of Inflation on Grocery Shopper Buying Habits: Looking Inside Inflation’s Black Box,” to discuss what lies ahead for food prices in 2023. The briefing looked at how higher prices have impacted shopper buying habits and how grocers are responding to the economic climate […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Northeast
New Jersey Food Council To Honor Four Industry Leaders May 17
The New Jersey Food Council will host its “Night of Distinction” reception at 5:30 p.m. on May 17 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. The event will draw more than 500 guests, including food industry executives across the region. “This is the perfect time to celebrate the industry and its leaders who have […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
Exploring Possible Deal Thesis Behind Proposed Albertsons/Kroger Merger
I’ve been asked a lot lately about the Albertsons/Kroger merger and what it means for our industry. Every time I think, “What is the deal thesis behind the merger? What can they do together they can’t already do separately?” For example, would combining them save a bunch of costs? They won’t need two CFOs or […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Winning The Pizza Battle Can Be Easy As Pie For Independent Grocers
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs “The pizza battle is on, and grocery stores are winning.” So declares Dana Baggett, client strategy director in the restaurant division at market researcher Vericast, whose recent study of consumers’ pizza preferences suggests inflation is pushing folks to swap their takeout apps for their grocer’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
2023 Independent Grocers Financial Survey Open To Participation
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Independent grocers are invited to participate in the 2023 Independent Grocers Financial Survey. A joint effort of FMS Solutions and the National Grocers Association for more than 15 years, the study has become a critical benchmarking tool for independent grocers. “The information you provide for […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
NGA Hosts Congressional Tour At SpartanNash Store In Michigan
The National Grocers Association hosted U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) April 13 for a NGA congressional store tour at SpartanNash’s D&W Fresh Market in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This opportunity was part of the NGA’s congressional store tour program connecting members of Congress to independent community grocers in their districts. The visit provided an overview of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Report Reveals Fewer Shoppers Cutting Back On Purchases
A survey of grocery shoppers’ spending habits and attitudes by FMI – The Food Industry Association, conducted by The Hartman Group, reveals that while shoppers remain concerned about rising food prices, consumers are less likely to cut back on their number of purchases. Among shoppers who are concerned about rising food prices, only 32 percent of shoppers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Small State’s Aging Population Puts Pinch On Thin Labor Pool
Connecticut is facing a problem not wholly unique but one that is prominent within the small state – an aging population. And according to Wayne Pesce, Connecticut Food Association president, it is slowly making the workforce pool much shallower. “This demographic shift is impacting the labor force and consumer demand for goods and services,” Pesce […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
Alabama Grocers Education Foundation Hosts Annual Golf Outing
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation hosted its annual golf outing April 13 at Inverness Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. The event raised more than $41,000 for the foundation to provide scholarships to employees and children of employees of Alabama Grocers Association member companies. To date, AGEF has awarded more than $1.4 million dollars in scholarships […]
Posted inAssociation News, Lipari Foods, National
Keeping Independents On-Trend And Competitive
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs I was fortunate to be a guest at this year’s Lipari Foods show late last month in suburban Detroit, where organizers estimate more than 7,000 people came through the doors to visit over 750 booths sampling more than 15,000 items in every food category. If […]