Georgia’s post-COVID economy is expected to continue to expand in 2024, though it will grow at a slower rate. According to information from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business in its annual economic outlook report, the state should continue to outpace the national GDP growth rate, which is projected to be 0.8 percent […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
At Family-Owned Bishop’s Supermarket, They Greet Every Customer
Bishop’s Supermarket in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, is very much a family affair. The company was founded in 1954 by William “Bill” Bishop and partner Bobby Dillon. They bought the store from Dillon’s father and uncle. The small, three-aisle store, known as Dillon and Bishop’s, was located downtown. Bill Bishop’s brother, Floyd, joined the business […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
Wyoming Remains ‘Good Place To Do Business’
Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the U.S. in total area but is the least populated, with about 581,000 residents. It does not impose an income tax, with local governments relying heavily on property tax collections. More than 60 percent of those revenues come from mineral production. The majority of property taxes are directed […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
Food Retailers ‘Pivotal’ In Virginia’s Economic Resilience
Virginia’s economy has shown resilience and improvement compared to last year, according to Melissa Assalone, executive director of the Virginia Food Industry Association. “Despite ongoing challenges and a reduction in federal money coming into Virginia, there are positive economic indicators such as job growth and increased consumer spending,” she said. Assalone noted the grocery sector […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Maryland’s Budget Deficit May Hinder Business Improvements
While holiday spending has been bolstered by lower food prices in Maryland, the state’s upcoming legislative session could bring major changes, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. MFIC is focused on three major issues for the upcoming session, which begins in January. Across the 90-day session, it hopes to see […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Northeast
New Jersey’s Grocery Industry Strong, ‘Uber Competitive’
The economy in New Jersey is a tale of two cities, according to Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council. New Jersey was recently ranked as the most improved state for business, climbing 23 spots to 19th in America’s Top States for Business rankings by CNBC. This past year, it saw […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
Labor, Retail Crime Challenge Wisconsin Grocers
Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said the Badger State is not immune to challenges such as inflation and price increases. “It affects us just as much as everybody else.” Scholz noted the dairy industry in the state remains strong and is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. “Overall, I […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Thrifty Foods Prospers Post-Pandemic In Wheatland, WY
While Jodi Axford never imagined she would own and run a small independent grocery store in rural Wyoming, she has found a place and a purpose there. The owner of Thrifty Foods in Wheatland moved to the small town with her then-husband and two children. He had been a store manager for Cub Foods in Minnesota, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
IRMA Exec: Future Of Illinois Grocers Hangs In Balance
Merchants in Illinois are facing a problem 15 years in the making. In 2008, the Illinois legislature unanimously passed the Biometric Information Privacy Act, which ensures that private companies are prohibited from collecting biometric data unless given express permission, according to Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. The law requires […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Market Profile, Midwest
Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly Investing In Employee Development
Hartland, Wisconsin-based Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly was founded in 1988 by Pat and Bob Fox. Now employee-owned, the retailer added its 10th location in September 2022. Mike Olwig, president of Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly, has been with the company for nearly 17 years. When he came aboard as store director in Hartland, there were just […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
Tryon IGA Owner Enjoys Freedom Of Being An Independent
Just a mile from the South Carolina border sits Tryon IGA, which has been serving Tryon, North Carolina for 26 years. Owner Willard Teaster has been part of the grocery business for nearly six decades. He started his grocery career with A&P in the produce department and went on to hold just about every managerial […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Carolina Retailers Face Alcohol Issues, Though Solutions Differ
Modernizing alcohol regulations has been a top priority in North and South Carolina, according to Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council. In North Carolina, the CFIC has been working to limit wine wholesalers’ split case fees. The charges ultimately limit retailers’ ability to provide deals to the customers and have been […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Beverage News, Southeast
Ready-To-Drink Cocktails Yields ‘Mixed Bag’ Of Success For TGCSA
Tennessee grocers are finding success in the sale of wine-based ready-to-drink cocktails, according to Rob Ikard, president and CEO, Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA). The amendment to the original Wine Act of 2014 went into effect Jan. 1. Although TGCSA had proposed legislation that would have authorized the sale of both wine- and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Lee’s Marketplace Offers Shoppers Fun Experience
Lee’s Marketplace, headquartered in Logan, Utah, believes that grocery shopping should be a fun and enjoyable experience. In fact, that is the first line of the company’s mission statement. Jonathan Badger, president and CEO, said they try to live by that through the experience offered in their stores. “Knowing that it’s kind of a chore […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Shoplifting Bill Fails To Advance In Colorado
Colorado retailers can feel a bit safer after a low-level crime proposal that would’ve prohibited the arrest of shoplifters was struck down in the state’s most recent legislative session. “It was really kind of egregious, especially with inflation,” said Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association & Convenience Store Association. While […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Kentucky Grocery Industry ‘Quite Strong,’ Retail Crime A ‘Huge Issue’
The state of Kentucky reported General Fund receipts for July of $1.1 billion, which was the 11th straight month that revenues surpassed the $1 billion mark. The state’s overall unemployment rate for July was 3.8 percent, which is very low historically, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
Oklahoma Grocers ‘Resilient’ In Face Of Ongoing Challenges
Oklahoma’s economy has remained fairly steady over the past year, according to Ron Edgmon, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Grocers Association. The state treasury report for August showed gross sales tax receipts up 5.1 percent over the last 12 months, although oil and gas production taxes have declined by 7.2 percent, he said. “Regional […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Jerry’s Foods Reflects One Year After Destruction Of Hurricane Ian
One year removed from Hurricane Ian, Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel Island, Florida, is seeing its community slowly return to normal. “Each month that goes past, there are more businesses that are able to open,” said Rick Winningham, general manager. “And as the resorts start to come back…The vegetation that survived is coming back…I think the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Native American-Owned FireLake Foods Aims To Be Community Partner
FireLake Foods, headquartered in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is the largest grocery store in the U.S. that is owned by a Native American tribe, according to Richard Driskell, director of retail. Citizen Potawatomi Nation opened the 84,000-square-foot store in 2001 on tribal land in Shawnee. The tribe now owns three grocery stores, two convenience stores and four […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Pennsylvania’s Election Battleground Status Will Capture Nation’s Attention In 2024
Assessing Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state in the 2024 election, Alex Baloga didn’t mince words. “To say that it’s going to be a wild next year is probably putting it mildly,” said Baloga, who is president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. For the first time in 12 years, the Pennsylvania House […]