Nebraska’s rural grocery stores are facing increasing financial and logistical hurdles, but new legislative efforts seek to provide targeted support to sustain these essential businesses. Carlie Jonas, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, has been involved in addressing these challenges. “We worked with one of the senators, Teresa Ibach, at […]
Category: Market Profile
Delaware’s Harvest Market Thriving As 30th Anniversary Approaches
A college assignment helped steer Bob Kleszics into a career in the grocery business. Founder and CEO of Harvest Market in Hockessin, Delaware, Kleszics was an anthropology major at the University of Delaware in 1979 when he took a field methods class. For the course, the student goes outside the classroom and into a group’s […]
‘Modest’ Describes Current, Future Growth In Delaware
The Delaware economy has been on a gradual growth trajectory over the past five years. According to researcher IbisWorld, the population has grown 1.3 percent leading up to 2025, reaching just under 1.06 million. Its gross state product reached $76.3 billion by the beginning of the year, reflecting 1.0 percent growth over five years, and […]
Destination Grocery Store To Open At New Address In Marathon, TX
Some grocers are born into the business and some choose it. Some just seem to have it in their blood and are able to create not just stores, but destinations. Sam Stavinoha has created such a place in the tiny West Texas town of Marathon, a stop on the way south to Big Bend National […]
West Texas Economy Growing But Still Relies On Oil/Gas Fortunes
Gary Huddleston has a rich history in the grocery business, serving nearly 45 years as director of consumer affairs at Kroger and today continuing his service as a grocery industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association. TRA represents retail companies across Texas, including national, regional, state and main street grocery, mass, home improvement, pharmacy and […]
Jim’s SuperValu Thrives In Rural ND With Community-focused Innovation
For nearly 40 years, Jim’s SuperValu in Park River, North Dakota, has been a cornerstone of its rural community. Co-owner Diana Hahn, who has spent decades working in the store her parents purchased in 1986, understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with running an independent grocery store in a small town. “My dad […]
North Dakota’s Grocers Adapting Amid Economic Shifts
North Dakota’s grocery industry is navigating changes, shaped by population growth, economic shifts and evolving consumer habits, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “We only have some 700,000 people in the whole state,” Dyste said. “I think as far as growth, we’re probably in the top five for people […]
Maine’s Rural Character, Aging Population, Shrinking Workforce Affect Grocers
In fall 2023, Costco opened its first and only store in Maine. A few months later, value-based retailer Market Basket opened a new location in Topsham. At the time, the buzz among shoppers in the greater Portland area was palpable and left many hopeful this would signal a wave of other food retailers wanting to […]
