by Eric Pereira / staff writer Nakul Patel, owner of Mt. Plymouth IGA Market in Sorrento, Florida, said consumers and the supply chain have gained a deeper appreciation for independent grocers during COVID-19 pandemic – and that feeling is likely to continue. “I truly believe that the independent grocer will thrive this decade,” Patel said. […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inBravo Supermarkets, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Miami Area Bravo Supermarkets Carry ‘Little Bit Of Everything’
Bravo chain proud of private label items, multicultural produce department by Mary Margaret Stewart / staff writer Weston, Florida, became home to a new Bravo Supermarkets location in 2020, but the year came with some challenges. Relinda Vásquez, president of the grocery chain, said the main recurring problem for her in the Miami area was […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Originals
Superior’s Ideal Market Known For Customer Service, Quality Meat
by Mary Margaret Stewart / staff writer In Shannon McCord’s words, “It’s always been a family affair at Ideal Market” in Superior, Nebraska. McCord’s grandfather founded the store in 1949. Then, his father ran it upon returning from service in the U.S. Navy. McCord, the third-generation operator, took over straight out of college in 1998. […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Albertsons, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, West
‘Crisis Took Serving To A New Level’ At Valley Fresh Market
Store in Solvang gave away toilet paper, started selling barbecue by John McCurry / contributing writer As is the case for many independent grocers, Greg King has spent much of his life in the business. Now 52, he began working at a grocery store when he was 14. His father was in the business during […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Originals
New Year Brings Self-Checkout, Online Shopping To Buche Foods
Family-owned business serves smaller rural towns of South Dakota by Mary Margaret Stewart / staff writer R.F. Buche is the fourth-generation owner of Buche Foods, which was founded in Lake Andes, South Dakota, in 1905 by his great-grandfather, Gus Buche. Today, R.F. Buche owns and operates grocery and convenience stores, a Subway sandwich shop, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Originals
MarketPlace Foods Keeps Focus On Associates, Their Resilience
Employee owned as of Jan. 1, company celebrating 80th anniversary by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Founded in 1940 in Edinburgh, North Dakota, MarketPlace Foods just celebrated its 80th anniversary. And the company is entering 2021 with strong grocery business on its side. “The sales that we’ve had since the pandemic started are amazing – […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, The Kroger Co., West
Scolari’s Food And Drug Owner: ‘We Are Not The Normal Grocery’
One of Scolari’s stores features strong gaming presence by John McCurry / contributing writer Jerry Scolari thinks increased grocery sales, propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue through the first part of 2021. He is co-owner of the two-store chain, Scolari’s Food and Drug, which he said has been up to the challenges presented […]
Posted inYear In Review - 2020, COVID News, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, West
WEST: Market Profile: Harmons In Utah Always Puts Shoppers First
by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer After finishing college, Jordan Meister moved back in with his parents in Utah while he worked to pay off his student loans. “The day after I moved, my mom told me to go get a job,” Meister said. “So I went down to Harmons and got a job washing […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, Northeast, Shelby Originals
Market Profile: Dave’s Fresh Marketplace Stays Nimble During Pandemic
by John McCurry, contributing writer Susan Budlong has worked at Dave’s Fresh Marketplace in Rhode Island for 24 years, currently serving as the independent grocery chain’s director of marketing and communications. Budlong also sits on the executive committee and the board of directors of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association. She has a clear view […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southwest
Market Profile: AGRMA Says Success May Hinge On Online Experience
by John McCurry, contributing writer Charlie Spakes, executive director of the Arkansas Grocery and Retail Merchants Association, AGRMA, said the future success of independent grocers may depend largely on how quickly they can adapt to online ordering. “They probably would have liked more time to get ready and get adapted before this whole [COVID-19] crisis […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southwest
Market Profile: Allen’s Foods Cultivates Camaraderie Within Caring Community
Bella Vista is a city of about 31,000 in the northwest corner of Arkansas, some seven miles south of the Missouri line. It lies in the middle of a resort area with a large number of retirees and also serves as a bedroom community to nearby Bentonville, home of Walmart’s headquarters. Serving the Bella Vista […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: Cash Saver Adds Fourth Store In Memphis Area
Shoppers tired of pandemic, but that ‘does not make it go away’ by John McCurry, contributing writer Rick James, owner and CEO of Castle Group, based in Memphis, operates four Cash Saver stores. That includes the recent acquisition of a store that closed in April due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The stores have performed well so […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: TGCSA-Backed Talent Exchange Connected Laid-Off Workers
by John McCurry, contributing writer With areas of the economy – notably hospitality – hit hard by the pandemic, the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association worked with the Tennessee Department of Tourism to connect laid-off hotel and laid-off restaurant workers with jobs in the grocery industry, which was scrambling to find workers. Rob Ikard, […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, West
Market Profile: Pandemic’s Efforts Stretch From Bay Area To Oregon Line
by Cynthia Weifenbach, contributing writer The grocery industry has been at the forefront of feeding Northern California communities and doing its best to provide safe environments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, not unlike other areas of the country, there are differences even within the region, such as San Francisco Bay and Sacramento. “We have these patches,” […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Assoc. Grocers CEO With Optimistic Outlook Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
by John McCurry / contributing writer Overall, grocers in Louisiana and Mississippi have handled the coronavirus pandemic well. That’s the assessment of Manard Lagasse, president and CEO of Baton Rouge-based Associated Grocers. Associated Grocers provides resources and support for more than 200 independent grocers in those states and Texas. “Obviously, there have been some issues […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Northeast
Family-Run Trucchi’s 92 Years Old And Thriving Despite Challenges
by John McCurry / contributing writer Jim Trucchi grew up in his family’s grocery business in Massachusetts. He’s now the CEO of Trucchi’s Supermarkets, a six-store chain, and thanks in part to the challenges of running a business during a pandemic, he’s never been busier. “I’m 67 and I’ve been doing this since I was […]
Posted inMarket Profile, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Shelby Originals
Big M Supermarket Setting Weekly Sales Records For Licari
by John McCurry, contributing writer Carmen Licari’s first taste of the grocery business came as a young kid, working in his parents’ store in New York. Now 71, Licari proudly proclaims he’s been in the business for 65 years. The owner of Big M Supermarket in Dolgeville, New York, he is a third-generation grocer. His […]
Posted inYear In Review - 2020, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, Southeast
SOUTHEAST: Learning Never Stops At Stokes: Family Grocer Navigates Supply Chain
by John McCurry, contributing writer “The supply chain is kind of broken at the moment,” said John Childers, owner of Stokes Supermarket. “The factories are having a tough time. There are certain categories that are coming back, but some are still limping along. We are still having trouble getting Clorox, Lysol, that type of product.” Counting […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Midwest, Shelby Originals
Neiman Siblings Continue Family Tradition
Company is ‘hometown’ store in four locations by John McCurry, contributing writer Like many independent grocers, Bryan Neiman grew up in the business. His parents, Hal and Jean, opened their first store in Alpena, Michigan, in 1983. During subsequent years, Neiman’s Family Market added stores in Tawas, St. Clair and Clarkston, Michigan, for a total of […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, Market Profile, Shelby Originals, West
State Mulls Mask Incentive For Grocery Store Shoppers
by Cynthia Weifenbach, contributing writer In an effort to encourage shoppers to wear a mask in grocery stores during the COVID-19 pandemic, Montana is considering a 3 to 5 percent discount off the total bill at checkout for patrons with a mask on. “We looked at different things to do to get people to wear masks […]