Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), will retire later this year following nearly 10 years of leading the organization. Bailey will remain with GMA and manage the organization as the board of directors conducts a search for her successor, with Leslie Hortum of Spencer Stuart retained to lead the […]
Category: Association News
Secretary Of Agriculture Perdue To Speak At NGA Show This Weekend
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will address the independent supermarket industry during the 2018 NGA Show opening keynote session on Sunday, Feb. 11, in Las Vegas, Nevada. “We’re excited to welcome Secretary Perdue to The NGA Show and have him share his thoughts on the public-private partnership shared between the USDA and stakeholders within […]
Research: Retailers Must Take ‘Holistic Approach’ To Shopper Loyalty
According to survey results previewed at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Midwinter Executive Conference by FMI and analytics firm Precima, shoppers rated loyalty toward their primary grocery store quite high (4 out of 5). However, the reality may be different when looking at shoppers’ behavior: Three out of five shoppers would shop at one store if they […]
FMI Honors Three With Leadership Awards At Midwinter Exec Conference
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) honored three industry executives with leadership awards at its Midwinter Executive Conference. FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin presented the awards to individuals who “share a legacy of achievement in trade relations, entrepreneurial spirit and statesmanship.” “Our industry is rooted in a commitment to people and communities. It shines […]
Convenience Industry Hits Record Store Count After 2017 Growth
The U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 154,958 stores as of Dec. 31, 2017, a 0.3 percent increase (423 stores) from the year prior, according to the 2018 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. “Our continued store growth suggests that the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s core offer of convenience continues to resonate with […]
CGAEF To Induct Two Grocery Execs Into Hall Of Achievement
Kevin Davis, chairman and CEO of Bristol Farms, and Robert (Bob) Kelly, EVP of Hidden Villa Ranch, will be inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) Hall of Achievement on March 21 at the Hilton Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa, California. The Hall of Achievement was created in 1992 to recognize grocery retailers […]
California Legislature’s Focus May Again Be Diverted From Anti-Business Bills
by Ron Fong/president and CEO, California Grocers Association California’s political outlook appears even more unpredictable than in years past due to an intersection of events that don’t happen very often. From the election of the first new governor in eight years, to a legislature in flux due to a number of recent resignations resulting from […]
‘Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.’ Highlights New Cuts For The New Year
The annual “What’s Hot” culinary forecast released by the National Restaurant Association named “new cuts of meat” as the top trend for 2018, so the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” culinary center chefs and meat scientists have put together a list of their top five innovative cuts. While many of these cuts are available to the home […]
Studies Find Low-Cost Strategies Can Boost Better-For-You Snack Sales
Two separate case studies provide insights into how retailers can increase sales of better-for-you snacks in c-stores. The studies, “Healthy Checkout Pilot Test” and “Better-for-You Planogram Pilot Test,” were developed by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) in conjunction the Project on Nutrition and Wellness (PNW) and the Cornell Food and Brand Lab (CFBL). […]
NGA Staff Changes Bring Promotions And New Hires
The National Grocers Association (NGA), a national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, has promoted key staff and added new staff members. According to the organization, the changes will help it expand its member benefits and advocate policies to better serve America’s independent grocers. “The grocery business is changing faster than ever, and we’re […]
NACS: Sales Of Healthy Foods & Beverages Expected To Keep Growing In 2018
Healthy food and beverage sales growth led to positive overall sales at convenience stores in 2017, and retailers expect the momentum to continue in 2018, according to a survey of retailers recently released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). A total of 103 member companies participated in the December 2017 survey. More than […]
FIM Program Celebrates 60th Class At USC Marshall School Of Business
“We are delighted to welcome the 60th class of food industry executives to USC Marshall,” said Food Industry Management (FIM) Director Cynthia McCloud. “Each year companies choose their best emerging leaders to spend four months immersed in Marshall’s top ranked business education. It’s an investment of time that pays off greatly for them in the […]
CEO Of Online-Only British Grocery Chain To Keynote FMI Midwinter
As the food retail industry navigates the “e-commerce revolution” and customers shift toward purchasing opportunities beyond in-store shopping, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has invited Tim Steiner, co-founder and CEO of Ocado: the online supermarket, to be a keynote speaker at the 2018 Midwinter Executive Conference. FMI hopes Steiner will be able to help its members better understand […]
Guest Column: Historic Year In Connecticut Politics
by Wayne Pesce/President, Connecticut Food Association Many of us who work at the state capitol were anxious to know before the 2016 election about whether the “Trump effect” or “Malloy effect” would carry more weight at the polls in the minds of Connecticut’s voting public. Based on the results, Connecticut citizens made their feelings clear. In […]
New Maine Food Group Executive Director Working To Join Retailers And Producers
by Mike Berger/editor-Northeast Christine Cummings, new executive director of the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association (MGFPA), will be returning to her position in January after maternity leave. She joined the association in 2017 and was promoted to executive director in June. She is excited about the growth of the association, the rise of Maine […]
NJFC Will Elect New Officers, Board Of Directors On Feb. 1
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) will kick off the new year with its Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey. This meeting will serve as a kickoff for the group’s 2018 event calendar as well as the council’s scholarship program. The […]
New York C-Store Retailers Object To Predictive Scheduling Regulations
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), New York convenience store operators are giving the state labor department an earful about the negative impacts of predictive scheduling regulations they are threatening to unilaterally impose on employers statewide. Retailers have filed formal comments objecting to the proposed rules, which they say would add costs […]
FDA Launches Smoking Cessation Campaign For C-Stores
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a new smoking cessation campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to quit with messages that highlight the health benefits of not smoking. The FDA says these messages will be displayed in and around gas stations and convenience stores. “Tobacco companies have long used advertisements at convenience stores and gas […]
New Jersey Expands Retailer Access To WIC Nutrition Program
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) praised the announcement by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s administration to enhance access to the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition program for retailers, while also removing policy barriers for WIC customers. “We are pleased that grocery stores, bodegas and other food retailers can now begin the application process […]
2018 IGA Hometown Proud Retailers Are The ‘Best Of The Best’
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has revealed its 2018 IGA Hometown Proud Retailers, representing the “best of the best from IGA’s progressive independent retailers in the United States.” “Submitted by our IGA Licensed Distribution Centers as their candidate for IGA USA International Retailer of the Year, these Five-Star IGA Hometown Proud retailers represent the best […]
