Jill and Doug Eilderts both had backgrounds in the grocery industry before deciding to buy their first Hometown Foods store in Waterloo, Iowa, in May 2019. In September 2020, they acquired a second store in nearby Traer. Jill Eilderts has worked at the Waterloo store for 35 years, starting off as a cashier when she […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Measure Aids Online Market Transparency In Louisiana
The Louisiana Retailers Association led an initiative this year to pass Act 316, legislation that will make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods online. According to Jessica Elliott, executive director of the LRA, the measure will increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure verification of high-volume online sellers. “Grocers have made significant […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Market Profile, Southeast
Ricky Joy Company Serves Up Drinks, Candies And Jellies
Colombian entrepreneur Julio Bayona wanted to create a product for kids of all ages and ethnicities. Coming from a background of focusing on Latino-centered retailed ventures, he founded Alpharetta, Georgia-based the Ricky Joy Company with that in mind. “We had a dream to be mainstream,” Bayona said in a recent interview with The Shelby Report […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
Adaptability Key To Rouses’ Success During COVID-19 Pandemic
Thanks to its team, suppliers and vendor programs it had in place – along with an independent’s ability to quickly adapt – Rouses Markets made it through the COVID-19 pandemic with an increase in sales and a shift to e-commerce, according to CEO Donny Rouse. Rouse added that the company hasn’t fully recovered due to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Home Page Latest News, Midwest
Enforcement Of Robinson-Patman Act Is ‘Biggest Issue,’ Owner Says
Mike Planalp, owner of Blackford County Foods, in Fishers, Indiana, sees the biggest challenge to independent grocers and their growth is the federal government’s failure to enforce the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936. The act is an antitrust law that guarantees a competitive grocery marketplace. He operates six Save A Lot food stores in Indiana, a […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
At Leppinks Food Centers, Each Store A ‘True Neighborhood Market’
Leppinks Food Centers is a fourth-generation, family-operated company headquartered in Belding, Michigan. The seven Leppink stores are owned and run by John Leppink, his brother-in-law, Rich Cole, and John’s cousin, Ransom Leppink. John Leppink, the majority owner, has four of the Leppinks locations but also six Save A Lot Food Stores and a True Value […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, West
Great Falls’ Everyday IGA Stores Ready To Launch E-Commerce Program
All things considered, Rich Chadwick’s two Everyday IGA stores in Great Falls, Montana, and Teeple’s IGA in Browning are enjoying a strong state and local economy. “I think the economy has grown in Great Falls. I think wages have grown quite a lot in the Great Falls area,” said Chadwick, adding that there are several […]