Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Market Profile, News, West

ASMI Helps Build Trust, Loyalty In Alaska’s Sustainably Caught Seafood

The Shelby Report recently caught up with Amy Dukes, head of retail marketing for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, to discuss Alaska’s seafood and how grocers can build sales in the category.   What key trends should grocers be aware of with Alaska seafood? According to Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute’s Retail Consumer Research Report, 80 […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Northeast

Cape Cod’s Ring Bros. Marketplace Staying Fresh In Offerings, Branding

Ring Bros. Marketplace got its start 100 years ago, when teenager Stephen Ring Sr. and his older brother, Edmund, sold produce from a horse-drawn wagon on the streets of Boston. Later, Stephen Sr. would take his sons, Ed and Stephen Jr., along to help. The sons eventually made the business their life’s work, like their […]

Posted inMarket Profile, News, Southeast

Specialty Retailers Find Opportunity With North Florida’s Growing Asian Population

Driven by strong retail investments, North Florida’s grocery market is experiencing considerable change. In a reflection of the region’s robust economy and appeal to business, areas such as Jacksonville and the state capital of Tallahassee in the Panhandle are outperforming many parts of the country. A cost of living just below the national average and […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, West

Collaboration With Residents Results In New Store For Remote Kotzebue, AK

In November, the Alaska Commercial Co. (AC) unveiled a new 26,000-square-foot grocery and general merchandise store in Kotzebue, Alaska, which lies about 26 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the northwestern corner of the state. The store plays a vital role in providing essential food and supplies to the residents of the town and […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, News, West

Grocers Bracing For Impact Of Largest Tax Hike In WA’s History

Washington is considered one of the most expensive states in the nation when it comes to the cost of gas, housing and healthcare. It has the fourth highest average grocery prices in the country, and 55 percent of residents face food insecurity. And officials from the Washington Food Industry Association note that grocers and consumers […]

Posted inMarket Profile, News, Southeast

North Florida Grocers Facing ‘Persistent’ Challenges With Labor, Inflation, ORC

The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with Lorena Holley, VP and general counsel for the Florida Retail Federation, to glean some insights on the state of the grocery industry in northern Florida.   How robust is the supermarket industry in North Florida? The grocery marketplace in North Florida is diverse, vibrant and buoyant. […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News

Babbs Supermarket Has Deep, Personal Connection To Indiana Community

Babbs Supermarket in Spencer, Indiana, will celebrate its 97th anniversary in July. Third-generation grocer Robert Babbs says his family legacy is not about making money but about building community. Chester Babbs, Rob’s grandfather, opened the original store July 28, 1928, by purchasing a meat and grocery business in receivership. Over the years, the business grew […]