The Campionis have been in business in Michigan for several generations. Based in the Upper Peninsula, the family operates 11 Pat’s Foods supermarkets, six hardware stores, three convenience store/gas stations and four car washes in the state and neighboring Wisconsin. At the head of the family business are brothers Ben and Joe Campioni, who have […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Market Profile, Southeast
Service, Support Setting AGBR Apart
Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge (AGBR) has a close relationship with its more than 180 independent retailers spanning the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas regions, offering them a “complete support system.” “We pride ourselves on service, which sets us apart from our competitors,” said Pete Tortorich, VP of retail operations – business development and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
North Padre Residents Find Local Option At Island Market IGA
When Island Market IGA opened in January 2021 on North Padre Island, just outside of Corpus Christi, Texas, it became the only grocer. The family-owned and -operated independent retailer is a resource for residents, who previously had to travel about seven miles off the island to the nearest grocery store. Josh Meadows and his wife, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
With Coastal And Border Characteristics, South Texas Is Force In Trade
TRA executive: Area’s grocers have been impacted most by end of emergency SNAP benefits The South Texas region consists of 28 counties covering about 37,800 square miles. It stretches from Del Rio to Brownsville along the Mexican border and up the Gulf Coast, past Rockport to Aransas Pass and San Antonio Bay. The region includes […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Meal Kits Cornerstone Of Corner Store Seattle Area Grocer
Kitchen & Market, which has three locations in the Seattle area, was founded on a simple idea – how to make planning meals easier. Founder and CEO Stephanie King set about that goal after a long career in private label grocery. “Instead of just retiring, I opted to put my idea down on paper. I […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, West
Evergreen State Facing Regulations, Unwelcome Taxes This Year
A legislative special session, long-term care deductions and ergonomics have dominated the agenda so far this year for the Washington Food Industry Association, according to President Tammie Hetrick. Retail crime in the state has been emboldened in recent years due to limited policing ability. Police or security officers have been restricted from pursuing suspected shoplifters […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Community Co-op Market Caring For Community In Tallahassee
Founded on Jan. 1, 2020, Community Co-op Market in Tallahassee, Florida, is on a mission to provide residents of the capital city and beyond access to healthy food. The store is one of two grocery co-ops in the state, according to CEO Troy Bond. Community Co-op Market was aided by National Co-op Grocers to help […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
‘Game-Changing’ Bill Had Florida Retail Federation’s Backing
The 2023 legislative session in Florida brought two major changes that will alter the legal landscapes for businesses, according to Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. HB 837 addresses tort reform and civil remedies, something Shalley said was “one of the first significant pieces of legislation to become law this session,” […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Baesler’s Market Finds Hospitality Key To Success In Terre Haute, Sullivan
Baesler’s Market is a fifth-generation independent grocery store with two locations – Terre Haute and Sullivan, Indiana. Bob Baesler, president, said his great-grandfather started Baesler’s Meat Market in 1894 in Terre Haute. His grandfather and father continued in the business, with Bob starting at age 13, working on Saturdays. His son, Casey, is manager of […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Solar Eclipse Expected To Bring Economic Boost To Grocers, C-Stores
Hoosier state ‘got lots of money,’ benefits from low cigarette tax that draws smokers from afar Indiana is one of the top 20 locations in the world to view the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, according to Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery and Convenience Store Association. As part of the state’s Homeland […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Ohio Grocers Association Eyes CDL, Child Care Changes
Ohio’s retail economy has not been immune to the higher food prices being felt nationwide, according to Kristin Mullins, president and CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association. “While our retailers always look to provide the best prices for our customers, costs and supply chain challenges force our prices up while trying to remain competitive,” she […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
There’s Optimism In Oregon For Avoiding Mild Recession
Changing economic conditions have pushed back the likelihood of a mild economic recession for Oregon. This is attributed to a few months of somewhat lower inflation, along with the Federal Reserve waiting for the impact of past interest rate increases to cool the economy, according to Josh Lehner, senior economist for the state. “Any near-term […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest, Rulli Brothers
‘Everything From Scratch’ – Rulli Bros. Renown For Its Offerings
Family-owned grocer has kept up connections for some 100 years Michael Rulli is a busy man. A fourth-generation grocer, he serves as the director of operations for Youngstown, Ohio-based Rulli Bros. But what sets him apart from the five other family members in the business is that he’s been a state senator since 2018. Rulli […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Floridians May Weather This Recession Better Than Previous Two
Also, tort reform legislation targets ‘plague of frivolous lawsuits’ across state Florida is on the cusp of a recession, according to University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith. In a recent article on the UCF Today website, Snaith said the impact shouldn’t be anything like what happened in 2020 or the housing collapse in the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Market In Portland Keeping Customers Informed, Involved
Bread and Roses Market in Portland, Oregon, is an organic-focused grocery store “built by an employee.” Navid Sam Nayebi, owner/operator, said he has had many jobs as a person of color where he experienced “a fair share of ill treatment from former employers, leading me to create a work environment where employees are treated well […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Small State’s Aging Population Puts Pinch On Thin Labor Pool
Connecticut is facing a problem not wholly unique but one that is prominent within the small state – an aging population. And according to Wayne Pesce, Connecticut Food Association president, it is slowly making the workforce pool much shallower. “This demographic shift is impacting the labor force and consumer demand for goods and services,” Pesce […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
VRGA Wary Of Paid Family, Medical Leave Proposal
The Vermont State Legislature convened Jan. 4 and has reached its halfway point. According to the February newsletter from the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, legislators had said addressing the state’s housing shortage was a top priority. Eight weeks in, little progress had been made. As various committees were engaged in work during the first […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
New Hampshire Industry Remains Strong Despite Challenges
New Hampshire ended the halfway point of the 2023 fiscal year $200 million ahead of estimates and $40 million more than the previous year. According to Kevin Daigle, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Grocers Association, Gov. Chris Sununu recently unveiled his proposed budget that will look to continue cutting and/or eliminating taxes and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Association Aims To Address Minimum Wage Legislation In 2023
Executive director: ‘We are trying to give businesses a little bit of flexibility’ Nebraska has a new governor for 2023, and “everybody feels optimistic,” said Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. While the state has a mostly business-friendly climate, Fellers said she believes Gov. Jim Pillen and the state legislature will […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Hometown Market Owner Enjoys Being Independent Grocer
Tailors his store around needs of St. Paul community Blake Schwartz, owner of Hometown Market in St. Paul, Nebraska, has been in the grocery business since he was old enough to work. He started as a bagger and rose to a department manager for a local grocer by age 21. He became co-owner of what […]