by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Southwest They are discreet in Aspen. Sure, celebrities pass through Clark’s Market, and the staff recognizes some of them. Usually they send their chefs, but they do come in from time to time. That’s according to Tom Clark Jr., who is president of the eight-store chain serving western Colorado and eastern Utah. He […]
Category: Market Profile
Hank Meijer Talks About Minding The Customer
Hank Meijer recently recounted some history and possibly recruited future employees at Western Michigan University during the annual Food Marketing Conference, where he spoke about “Minding Our Customers.” Retailing starts with a truism that Meijer said is as important today as it was when his grandfather opened a tiny grocery store in 1934 in Greenville. “Our […]
Natural And Organics On The Rise, Legislative ‘Red Tape’ On The Decline In Kentucky
by Alissa Marchat/staff writer From bourbon to fried chicken, Kentucky is known for a number of indulgences, but the Bluegrass State appears to be going “clean” and “green” when it comes to groceries. The state has seen a recent influx of players in the natural and organic grocery segment, including Lucky’s Market, Fresh Thyme Farmers […]
National And Regional Retailers Thrive In Gulf Coast Market
by Alissa Marchat/staff writer Times are still tough and competition, as always, is a challenge for retailers in Louisiana and Mississippi, but that’s not stopping a number of national and regional chains from thriving in those states. From new locations to same-store growth, the outlook for many retailers is positive. Brandon Trosclair, GM and owner […]
2016 North Fla. Market Profile: SNAP Changes, Fierce Competition
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps, in Florida has seen two big changes this year—one proving a positive for retailers; another impacting their bottom line, and not for the good. In January, the work requirements for food assistance for an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) […]
United’s Market Street Banner Growing Under Albertsons Umbrella
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor United Supermarkets adopted a strategic growth plan in 1998 that grew the company into what it is today. It was a milestone in the company’s timeline, as United Supermarkets opened its very first Market Street store in Wichita Falls. The Market Street banner is described as “where everyday meets gourmet” with […]
Shelby 2016 Market Profile: The Dakotas
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor North Dakota Sees A Bit Of A Slowdown In The Oil Fields In Texas they’re used to oil boom, oil bust, repeat. Folks in North Dakota’s Bakken shale region are getting used to it, too. “It’s not the first time we’ve been through this,” Tom Woodmansee, president of the North Dakota […]
NMSU Researchers Work To Increase Produce Sales In Grocery Stores
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor New Mexico State University College of Business marketing professors Collin Payne and Mihai Niculescu have been looking for ways to encourage shoppers to spend more of their food dollars on fresh produce. They are co-directors of NMSU’s Consumer Behavior Laboratory, which is equipped with eye-tracking software, a virtual grocery store and […]
Supplier Spotlight: ‘Not The Wise Of Yesteryear’
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Jolie Weber has been leading Wise Foods since June, but the CPG veteran has been with the Atlanta-based company for nearly 12 years—holding executive leadership roles in areas ranging from marketing to finance. “I have always been in the consumer packaged goods industry,” Weber says. “My first job out of college […]
Booming Twin Cities Market Attracts New Players As Existing Operators Expand
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor There is a lot of water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and there appears to be something in it. Minnesota, and specifically the Twin Cities, is drawing in grocery retailers and enticing existing operators to expand. “It’s an exciting time for Minnesotans because the choice in the marketplace really does […]
Tony’s Fresh Market Is IFRA’s 2015 Industry Retailer Award Recipient
Tony’s Fresh Market is the Illinois Food Retailers Association (IFRA) 2015 Industry Retailer Award recipient. The company was honored during the IFRA-Grocery Merchandisers Association (GMA) Annual Conference and Expo, which was held earlier this month at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. “The IFRA board of directors unanimously chose Tony’s Fresh Market as […]
Food Industry Vet Lamprecht Makes Wyoming’s Valley Foods A Unique Destination For Locals, Tourists Alike
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Tim Lamprecht has more experience in the food industry that most. This year, in fact, marks his 50th year in the business. His career has spanned from “carryout boy” to supplier representative to today being the owner and GM of Valley Foods and Liquor in Saratoga—located about 7,000 feet in elevation […]
A Big Battle With The Wisconsin State Legislature Is Brewing
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor A huge battle is brewing in Wisconsin, and what is spurring it on revolves around a new entrant into the state: Meijer. The Michigan-based retailer has opened two stores in Wisconsin and plans to open more. It stands accused of breaking the state’s Unfair Sales Act, or minimum markup law, by […]
Kentucky Sees Steady Store Activity, But Implementation Of Internet Lottery Creates Concern For Retailers
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Ted Mason, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers Association and Kentucky Association of Convenience (KGA/KACS), isn’t hearing much from the group’s members these days, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Mason considers the relative silence a positive sign that Kentucky’s economy, specifically its retail industry, is on the […]
Odell Bringing Back Stores For Communities After Buyer Goes Bankrupt
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor “Somebody told my wife the other day that we had flunked retirement, because I’m 82 and my wife is right behind me,” said Leroy “Perk” Odell, owner of Super’s stores in Akron, Wiggins, Haxtun and Walden, Colorado. Perk and Betty Odell are back in the business so that communities in Colorado […]
Independent Spotlight: Foods Etc IGA, Susanville Supermarket IGA More Than Grocery Stores
Dennis Darling started bagging groceries at his local independent grocery store while still in high school. It’s where he says he not only discovered a career but met his wife of 41 years, Ruth. At the store, he was promoted quickly up the ladder and started managing for that same company at age 23. Eventually, […]
Tennessee Food Retailers Face Challenges In Readying For Wine Sales Next Year
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer A referendum to allow food retailers in Tennessee to sell wine passed everywhere it was on the ballot last year. While getting that referendum on the November ballot was a long and oftentimes arduous process, the challenges aren’t over. Grocery stores in the 78 municipalities where wine sales will be allowed in […]
Show Me State Grocers Have A Trusted Friend In The State House
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Dan Shaul is state director of the Missouri Grocers Association (MGA) and last year added another impressive title: Missouri State Representative, 113th District. The experience has given him, in his words, the opportunity to see “how the sausage is truly made.” The knowledge he is gaining and relationships he is building […]
Georgia Profile: Foothills A 2015 IGA Finalist, New Store Activity Afoot Across State
There are thousands of IGA stores around the world, yet one of Georgia’s own is among six stores in the U.S. that is a 2015 IGA USA International Retailer of the Year finalist. Moreover, it’s not the first time the 25,000-s.f. store has been a finalist. Foothills IGA in Marble Hill, owned by Jeff and […]
2015 Arizona Profile: Playing Host To Super Bowl Should Get State Off To Healthy Start In 2015
Arizona will host Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1. As if that alone isn’t generating enough excitement across the Grand Canyon State, there’s a real possibility that Arizona’s home team—the Cardinals—will be playing in the big game. At this writing, the Cardinals’ record stood at 9-3, ranking the team first in the NFC Western Division. […]
