Supply chain continues to be a challenge for Kentucky grocers, as they are having difficulty getting products to put on the shelves. There also are related issues such as the drought and late planting due to flood, said Steve McClain, director of communications and public affairs for the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association. “We […]
Category: Association News
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Announces 2023 Board Of Directors
The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the slate of new directors for the 2023 IFPA Board of Directors. The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and their board term will begin at the end of October. The IFPA Board of Directors is led by the officers of the executive […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, National
Briefing Examines What’s Responsible For Rise In Grocery Prices
Why are food costs higher today than two years ago? That was the question addressed Aug. 10 by FMI – The Food Industry Association as it hosted an online briefing, “Peering Inside Food Inflation’s Black Box.” The speakers were Andrew Harig, VP of tax trade, sustainability and policy development for FMI; and Ricky Volpe, associate […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IRI: Consumers Eat More Meals At Home To Offset Rising Costs
To offset rising food costs, consumers are bargain hunting when grocery shopping, eating more meals at home and cutting back on restaurant visits, reports IRI and The NPD Group, which recently merged to create a leading global technology, analytics and data provider. The nearly $1.5 trillion at- and away-from-home food market is forecast to grow around 8 percent in […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Finds Shoppers Remain Resilient Against Rising Food Prices
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released the fifth edition of the “U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2022” series focused on back to school season. It found that 90 percent of shoppers are concerned about some aspect of food accessibility, with 61 percent concerned about rising prices specifically – an increase of eight percentage points since […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Independents Are Increasingly Resilient, Creative And Nimble
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most challenging business environments that independent community grocers have had to face – and it’s not over yet. The sudden shift in retail spending behavior during the second quarter of 2020 drove record supermarket sales. Grocers moved mountains to keep shelves stocked while contending with operational challenges, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
RGA Trumpets Toppling Of Food Sales Tax In Kansas
The Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City is celebrating a victory in the Kansas Legislature – the reduction and eventual elimination of the state’s food sales tax. Since 1960, the state has had one of the highest rates in the country. It currently sits at 6.5 percent, according to Jon McCormick, president and CEO […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA’s Executive Conference Announces Special Events
The National Grocers Association will host a variety of networking events at this year’s NGA Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, scheduled for Oct. 24-26 in Washington, D.C. On the evening of Oct. 24, NGA will host a 40th anniversary celebration, marking an important milestone in the organization’s history. The event will feature a nod […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Congress Has Been Busy: A Summer Session Recap
by Stephanie Johnson / NGA VP of Government Relations This summer was one of the busiest legislative sessions in Congress in recent memory. It culminated in major legislative achievements for the Biden Administration, a lifeline to the sinking popularity of his presidency and much needed momentum for Democrats up for re-election in November. Congress has […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Lends Food Industry Perspective To Task Force Report
Tufts University’s Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition and Health released a comprehensive report including recommendations for the Biden administration to consider in addressing food and nutrition insecurity as part of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health process. Representing the food industry, Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and CEO, is a member of the task […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Setback Leaves TGCSA Feeling ‘Liberated To Pursue Other Ideas’
“Whenever we’d proposed any changes…they said, ‘No, we had a deal and this would break the deal.’ Well, now they came along and broke the deal,” said Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association. Ikard’s remarks were in reference to recent political maneuvering that has eliminated case discounts on […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Frozen Food, National
RFA Names Marshall As Technical Director
The Refrigerated Foods Association has named Douglas L. Marshall as its technical director. He has been a member of the RFA since January 2018. In this role, Marshall will preside over the RFA’s monthly open technical calls, respond to member questions via its technical hotline and keep the association informed of issues with RFA’s bi-weekly […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Names Linney As Keynote General Session Speaker
International Fresh Produce Association has announced that Laura Linney will be the keynote speaker for the Women’s Fresh Perspectives General Session on Oct. 29 at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show in Orlando, Florida. The session, titled “Women in Film: Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry” will feature Linney’s insights on her experience in Hollywood. Laura Linney is […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Association News, National
IRI, Ajinomoto Foods Expand To Combat Supply Issues
IRI and Ajinomoto Foods North America, the maker of Tai Pei, Ling Ling and Jose Ole frozen foods, have announced the expansion of their partnership. Having utilized IRI’s market measurement solutions and consumer panel information since 2003, Ajinomoto Foods has added IRI’s Daily Out-Of-Stock Benchmarking tool to manage retailer expectations where it was experiencing low in-stock […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Releases The State Of Fresh Foods Report
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released its “The State of Fresh Foods” report, which highlights findings from the upcoming “The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2022” analysis of the fresh foods departments. Retailers surveyed detail investments for fresh foods departments in-store but also report an increase in the amount of sales online. Key insights from […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Differentiate From Your Grocery Competitors By Offering Unique Products In Your Assortment
by Megan Moyer Finding a niche in your community is a good way to build a competitive advantage. If you and your competitors carry many of the same brands and items, bringing in products that are unique to your store can be a strong differentiator. Start by reviewing your product assortment to see where there […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Nonfood Items
IHA To Host Three New Events At Education Summits
Two International Housewares Association educational summits, Chess: Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession and the International Business Council’s Global Forum, will be held in-person this fall along with a new event by the recently formed Housewares Credit Group. Under the banner “Housewares Homecoming,” the three events will take place together for the first time, uniting industry alumni, veterans […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, Market Profile, Northeast
Rhode Island Retailers Readying For Reusable Bag Requirement
Retailers in Rhode Island are preparing for a major change in disposable plastics in the state. On May 27, Gov. Daniel McKee signed the Plastic Waste Reduction Act, according to a post on the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association’s website. The act will take effect one year after the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management issues […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, National
NGA Names ReposiTrak As Traceability, Compliance Partner
NGA has entered into a multi-year agreement with ReposiTrak in preparation of The Food Safety Modernization Act that will impose additional technical, financial and operational burdens on food retailers when Section 204 of the law is published in November. Specifically, retailers, wholesalers and their trading partners will need to maintain records of every movement of several […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independents’ Role In Net Effective Spending Power
Many years ago, I taught economics to middle school students. Imagine the look on their faces, learning that first day they had to sit through a course on taxes, interest rates and monetary policy. Lots of yawns and eye rolls. Rather than teaching out of a dry textbook, I used stunts and games to help […]