by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Shoplifting and Organized Retail Crime (ORC) are two very different crimes. A person may steal bread to feed a hungry family. A coordinated group steals items that can be turned into cash that typically funds other criminal activity. If there has been an increase in ORC arrests, it is because retailers […]
Category: Feature
Posted in, Feature, Marketing News, National
Use ‘Barriers To Exit’ For More Sales From Customers
by Rick Rusch, Thought-Tech Special to The Shelby Report Grocers, like all merchants, are prone to a fairly simple view of marketing. Many grocers see their marketing as the basic activities designed to draw people to their store. But is that really the purpose of marketing? If so, then measuring the success of your marketing […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Organized Retail Crime Cutting into Grocers’ Profits
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Organized retail crime (ORC) involves a criminal network made up of many people who steal large quantities of goods from retailers and later resell the products, and it is a growing problem for U.S. retailers, costing them $3.53 billion in 2010, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Thomas Martin is […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Companies Bank on Snacks to Bring Big Profits
by Ashley Bates/staff writer The snacking trend is one of the most influential ones affecting a range of businesses, from supermarkets and convenience stores to fast-food and other restaurants, and it’s being fueled by consumer demand. Today’s consumer seems to be perpetually on the run and thus needs a quick “pick-me-up” snack in mid-morning or […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Grocery Buyers Big Part of Buy Local Trend
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Buying local produce and meats and shopping at independent stores is one of the hottest trends in the grocery industry, recent studies say and executives agree. Grocery buyers are taking the national trend very seriously and adapting their buying habits to suit the wants and needs of the grocery shopper. Piggly […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Confections Industry Remains a Bright Spot in Economy
by Ashley Bates/staff writer The 2012 Farm Bill now being debated in Congress is not the answer to solve the problems in the sugar industry, some industry leaders say. Despite the problems, the industry is holding fairly steady through the national economic turmoil. To date, confections and chocolates haven’t been hit very hard through the […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Feature, National
Social Business is What’s Next for Social Media
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our EST Feature in the April Shelby Report.[/gn_note] by Rick Rusch, Thought-TechSpecial to The Shelby Report The year 2012 is likely to go down as the year of social business. As you read this you’re thinking, “Wait a second! Social business? I’m just getting […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Feature, National
What Big Data Means for Retailers
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our EST Feature in the April Shelby Report.[/gn_note] by Jeff Weidauer Special to The Shelby Report If 2011 was the year of mobile, 2012 is shaping up to be the year of big data. Big data is defined as datasets too large to be […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Full-Service Sushi Bridges Gap from OK to Explosive Sales
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our Ethnic Merchandising Feature in the March Shelby Report.[/gn_note] Jim Kim with Joel Stark, JFE Inc.Special to The Shelby Report Sushi is one of the grocery deli merchandisers’ top dilemmas, but it also ranks among their biggest successes. Even in markets that are large […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Feature, National
Rationalizing Technology: User Friendly Savings, Brand Volume Increases
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our EST Feature in the April Shelby Report.[/gn_note] by Coupon Express Special to The Shelby Report Weak economic conditions continue to be the driving force behind coupon usage. Americans want to purchase “on deal” and save when buying at retail. The consumer interest in […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Treat Winter Weather Just Like Any Other Disaster
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Many concerns crop up when grocery retailers are in a frenzy to prepare before a storm heading their way. There are steps grocery stores—large and small—can take to better prepare their business when a disaster is predicted. Rhett Asher, the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) VP of industry relations, works daily to […]
Posted in, Feature, National
When Disaster Strikes, Social Media Connects With Your Customers
by Rick Rusch, Thought-TechSpecial to The Shelby Report Social media is an integral part of every day life for millions of people. For many, social media has become indispensable. Social media channels are no longer only sources of entertainment and interaction. Increasingly, social media has become a critical channel for communication. As a result, businesses […]
Posted in, Feature, National, Nonfood Items
Technology Is the Key for the Future of General Merchandise
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Dave McConnell, president and CEO of the Global Market and Development Center (GMDC), says the future of general merchandise and health and beauty care centers on technology and focusing on sales throughout the food channel. In the recent study released by the organization, “Consumer Shopping Habits for Wellness and Environmentally Conscious […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Feature, National
Women of the Industry
[gn_tabs style=”5″] [gn_tab title=”The West“] [gn_spoiler title=”Christianson: Goal-Oriented Decisions Propel Career“] by Ashley Bates/staff writer As COO of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), Carole Christianson said her main objective—along with the WAFC—is education. Education has been a constant theme for Christianson throughout her life. She says she decided at an early age that […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Craft Brews Continuing to Grow
It’s been said that the more things change, the more they stay the same and the beer industry is a prime example.
Posted in, Feature, National
Economy Aside, Wine and Beer Sales Still Relatively Good
by Katie B. Davis/staff writer The U.S. surpassed France as the world’s largest wine-consuming nation in 2010, with wine shipments to the U.S. from California, other states and foreign producers growing 2 percent from the previous year to nearly 330 million cases, a record high for the industry, according to the Wine Institute. The estimated […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Ethnic Food Choices Abound in the Marketplace
As the ethnic population in the United States continues to grow, so does the popularity of ethnic foods and cuisines. Favorites like tacos, sweet and sour chicken and pad Thai are becoming the norm, not the exotic.
Posted in, Feature, National
Retailers Vie for Shoppers’ Dollars in Deli, Dairy and Bakery
In recent years, research done by International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has shown that everything about grocery shoppers in America has changed—possibly for good.
Posted in, Feature, National
EST: Alignmed Posturing to Straighten Up the Workforce
by Katie B. Davis/staff writer For years Bill Schultz had pain in his lower back, at times debilitating. At the age of 45, roughly five years ago, he scheduled a procedure to have his lumbar disc fused in hopes it would at best take away, at least minimize, his pain. Schultz, however, has yet to […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Feature, National
Consumers Want to Indulge, But Keep Health in Mind, Too
By Ashley Bates/staff writer Bubbly, fruity and refreshing soft drinks and other beverages have seen hard times in recent years, but many in the beverage industry may call 2011 the year of the beverage. Rebounding nicely this year are sports drinks, bottled waters and water beverages; soft drinks and diet soft drinks are as strong […]