While New Mexico’s economy is not bad, it’s also not very strong, according to Breck Stewart, executive director of the New Mexico Grocers Association. Stewart also is an independent grocer in Albuquerque. “Our unemployment percentage is pretty good in the state, but it seems that most businesses have ‘help wanted’ signs posted. The supply chain […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Brackett’s Market Focuses On Personalized Customer Service
Owner credits employees for store’s success in downtown Bath Bath, Maine is a coastal town of some 8,700 people located about 40 miles north of Portland. “Or as we always like to say, we’re 20 minutes north of L.L. Bean, because everybody knows L.L. Bean,” said Kimberly Brackett, co-owner and VP of Brackett’s Market. Located […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Grocers Association Pursuing Productive Legislative Session
Official says budget surplus has ‘a lot of folks asking for a lot of things’ Minnesota began 2023 with a projected state budget surplus of more than $17 billion, according to Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “A lot of people have a lot of ideas how to spend the money,” she said. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Arizona Official Recalls Family’s Roots In Grocery
Fungs ran New State Market in Phoenix for six decades Kimberly Yee is many things. First and foremost, she is Arizona’s state treasurer. But she also is the granddaughter of Y.W. and Sue Fung, who founded New State Market in Phoenix. The Fungs opened the grocery store in 1933 at Seventh Avenue and Buckeye Road […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Parched State Also Battling Supply Chain Strain, Homelessness
AFMA aims to ensure members aware of issues The Arizona Food Marketing Alliance turns 80 this year. With the anniversary, comes a new motto: “Respect the past…Embrace the future.” The AFMA has four major goals for 2023. The group intends to grow its membership, improve the AFMA Journal, remain a solid source of information for […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Association Acts As Advocate, Problem Solver For Members
While the overall economy in Maryland is looking bright, grocers in the state continue to face challenges. “Our economy consistently outperforms the country as a whole, and last year we ranked as the most improved state for business under the leadership of Gov. Larry Hogan,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Charlottesville Independent Has Loyal Following In Heart Of UVA
Foods of All Nations has been in Charlottesville, Virginia, for more than 50 years. Located in the downtown area, it is next to the University of Virginia. President Geoffrey Garbaccio has been with the company about seven years. Garbaccio grew up in the food industry, working at his parents’ gourmet food store in New Jersey. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
IRMA Full Speed Ahead Following Merger
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Food Retailers Association merged at the end of September 2021. Since then, the IRMA has taken responsibility for all grocery members across the state, according to Rob Karr, president and CEO. The two organizations had an overlap of members. The IFRA represented a majority of the independents […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Lone Grocer In Lacon, Jim’s IGA Likes To Help Community
Michael Lambrecht has owned Jim’s IGA for just two years. But he has been a part of the Lacon, Illinois, community since the store’s inception. Jim’s opened in 1976, Lambrecht’s father and the store’s namesake, Jim, came down from Chicago to manage what used to be a A&P grocery store. “A&P decided to get out of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Market Profile, West
Dehoff’s Markets Marks 50 Years Of Service To Redwood City, CA
Dehoff’s Markets celebrated its 50th anniversary on Oct. 15, with the store’s original location in Redwood City, California, still thriving under family ownership. However, the Dehoffs’ history of entrepreneurship in the Northern California community stretches much farther back than 1972. Emil Dehoff immigrated to the U.S. from Germany after serving in World War I. According […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Grant Street Grocery Offers Experience Of ‘Curated Shopping’
Grant Street Grocery in Casper, Wyoming, is 104 years old. But the historic business may not have made it to the century mark if not for the intervention of some residents in the city’s Big Tree neighborhood, where it is located. Lindsey Grant, who co-owns the specialty grocery store with her partner Susan Holmes, said […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Home Page Latest News, West
Wyoming ‘In Pretty Good Shape’ For Businesses
Wyoming remains a “great, great state to be operating in and having businesses,” according to Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association & Convenience Store Association. The state, which hasn’t seen a large population growth since the last Census, has “an amazing regulatory environment, where taxes remain low and operational costs […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Hurricane Ian Delivered A Soaking, But Grocers Largely Spared
One week after Hurricane Ian caused damage and flooding in coastal South Carolina and parts of North Carolina, grocery retailers have remained largely unaffected. The Carolinas Food Industry Council maintains a “seat at the table” in the emergency operation centers of both states, according to Lindsey Kueffner, its executive director. The council keeps its members […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Father, Daughter Working Together To Expand Maurer’s Market
Jeff and Kristie Maurer, father and daughter, are independent grocers in Wisconsin. Dad owns Maurer’s Market in Wisconsin Dells, where his daughter is the store director. He also now is a minority owner in a store – Fresh Madison Market – he opened on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Kristie Maurer is planning […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Wisconsin Grocers Association Preparing 2023 Legislative Agenda
Wisconsin is experiencing some of the same economic woes as other states across the country. “We have record high unemployment. We have members who continue to experience supply chain issues and getting products in inventory,” said Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “We still have high demand from consumers, but their […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, Market Profile, Northeast
Food Council Seeking Shared Responsibility, Costs Of Recycling
The New Jersey Food Council is watching three proposed legislative changes. According to Linda Doherty, president and CEO, these include extended producer responsibility, liquor licensing reform and unemployment insurance. The EPR bill would require producers of packaging products sold in the state to implement stewardship plans. “Manufacturers are already working toward sustainable packaging and investing […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Voters Will Consider If Grocery Stores In Colorado Can Sell Wine
The longstanding Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association is in the process of merging with the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association. Within the past two years, the organizations have been working to become one as Mary Lou Chapman, longtime president and CEO of RMFIA, moves closer to retirement, according to Grier Bailey, executive director of CWPMA. […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Remodel, New Owner Helps Gittel’s Grocery Serve Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene sits in the northwestern corner of Idaho, not far from Spokane, Washington. The city is known for water sports on the lake that shares its name, as well as outdoor activities along the vast trails and woods of the Canfield Mountain Natural Area. Near the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 95, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Lone Grocer In Weaverville Weathering Wildfires, Delivery Woes
Holiday Market in Weaverville, California, sits within the Browns Mountains, less than three hours from Oregon. The store was a Tops Market before it was purchased by Cottonwood, California-based North State Grocery. Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, the business has dealt with supply chain issues, in part due to its remote location as well as […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Karns Foods Continues Making Difference In Its Communities
Family-owned and operated Karns Quality Foods has been serving central Pennsylvania for more than 60 years. David Karns opened the first Karns Foods store in 1959, “welcoming customers as individuals with individual needs,” said Scott Karns, president and CEO of the company. The retailer continues to provide fresh, affordable, local and quality items in 10 […]