In the exhibit hall at an NGA Show in Las Vegas a few years ago, Jim Benedict saw a Southern Pride smoker and decided on the spot to buy one for his family’s store in Mountain View, Wyoming. Others were intrigued by it; he was not only intrigued by it but moved decisively to make […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Small But Mighty Maryland Making Name For Itself In Supermarket Industry
As the new year approaches, several legislative proposals stand to impact Maryland residents and businesses. The Griffin Report recently visited with Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, to find out more about what’s in store for 2025. Locklair has spent nearly 20 years in state and local politics, advocating on the state budget, […]
Posted inH-E-B, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Southwest
H-E-B, Other Independent Grocers Investing In Texas
It has been a significant year for the $70.7 billion Texas grocery industry. At the onset of 2024, grocers in many parts of the state were attempting to rebound from national issues such as labor, supply chain and e-commerce challenges. As the year draws near to a close, it appears their efforts are paying off. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest
Chicago Market Taking Shape In Historic Train Station
Next year, the Windy City will be getting a new grocery store with the opening of Chicago Market in the Gerber building on Broadway, a landmark location that served as a train station for a century. Dan Arnett, general manager, recently spoke with The Shelby Report of the Midwest about the store and how a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Northeast
Murphy’s Fresh Markets Serving Its Communities Inside, Outside Stores
Murphy’s Fresh Markets operates three stores in southern New Jersey. The stores are nestled in their respective neighborhoods, with strong relationships with customers and a reputation for charitable giving. But the grocer knows that to continue to be successful, the stores have to provide the goods, literally, as well. “My family’s grown roots here and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Northeast, Whole Foods
NJFC CEO: New Jersey’s Grocery Landscape Experiencing Selective Growth
Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council, took time out of her busy schedule in October to provide an update to The Griffin Report on the state’s grocery industry. Below are her responses. How is the economy in your state? What kind of population and unemployment trends are you seeing? Our […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast
Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market Continues Family Legacy
Tom Leonard, owner of Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market in Richmond, Virginia, learned many life lessons from his father, including how to succeed in the food business. He said his father, the late Stew Leonard, had two rules, which literally were set in stone. “Rule one, the customer’s always right. Rule two, if they’re wrong, reread […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Midwest, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Making Name For Themselves In Illinois
While established chains such as Albertsons, Kroger and Jewel-Osco continue to hold significant market share in Illinois, independent grocers are a growing segment. Armed with a passion for food, commitment to community and knack for innovation, they are reimagining the shopping experience and carving out a niche that is reshaping the way people shop. Among […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
North Carolina’s Business-Friendly Environment, Efforts Draw National Accolades
For the fifth year in a row, CNBC has named North Carolina one of the top three states in which to do business. Gov. Roy Cooper attributed the ranking to the continued investment the state is making in its skilled workforce and thriving economy. He added that major investments by companies across all sectors are […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Oklahoma’s Super C Mart Committed To Communities, Growth
Super C Mart is a progressive independent grocer. Though its eight stores operate in predominantly rural areas of southern Oklahoma, it has an app with digital coupons, sells sushi in one of its stores and its top two leaders are women. Nikki Carver succeeded her father as president and CEO in 2020, and COO Angela […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Retailers Find Influx Of Carolinas Newcomers With No Pre-Existing Loyalty ‘Fair Game’
The Shelby Report recently checked in with Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, to learn about the key issues poised to impact the region in the coming months. The populations of North Carolina and South Carolina continue to grow. With that, so does the number of grocery stores. Most food retailers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Southwest
‘Regressive’ Grocery Tax Removal Hailed As Largest Tax Cut In OK History
On Aug. 29, the 4.5 percent Oklahoma state sales tax on groceries was eliminated. The bill was passed in February during the state legislative session. It is the largest tax cut in state history, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the office of Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, which said the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Northeast
Karns Foods Was ‘Doing Local’ Long Before It Became Trendy
The Karns family has been operating retail stores in central Pennsylvania since 1959. Andrea Karns surmises that it is unlikely her grandfather knew when he opened his butcher shop all those years ago that his reputation for offering top cuts of meat would be one of the many reasons customers continue to shop at Karns […]
Posted inAssociation News, Festival Foods, Market Profile, Midwest
WGA Optimistic For Wisconsin Grocery Industry Despite Lingering Challenges
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) is reporting a positive outlook for the state’s grocery industry, despite ongoing challenges such as workforce shortages, rising costs and increasing competition. According to Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the WGA, the Wisconsin economy remains surprisingly stable, with the state seeing higher collection numbers and a rebound in workforce interest […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Northeast
Authenticity, Discovery Foundations Of Friends’ Marketplace In MA
Reflecting on the past eight years of running Friends’ Marketplace in Massachusetts and the decision to buy the two stores from his father, Brian Junkins and wife Monila have encountered challenges along the way but are proud of what they have created. Among the changes the pair have made since taking over include expanding the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
UFIA Inducts Peterson’s Market Owner Into Hall Of Fame
The Utah Food Industry Association, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, hosted its 2024 Annual Conference and Celebration Aug. 6 at the Davis County Conference Center. At the celebration, the association inducted Monte Peterson, owner of Peterson’s Market, into its Hall of Fame. Peterson learned his work ethic and the basics of the grocery business […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, The Kroger Co., West
Tech Jobs, Recreation Drawing Folks To Utah’s Wasatch Front
Dave Davis, president and CEO of the Utah Food Industry Association, said it’s good to live in Utah. There are several reasons for that. “Fiscally, we’re in a good place,” Davis said. “I think that both our legislative branch and our executive branch do a good job of managing the economy here in the state.” […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Keyed By Geography, Pennsylvania Grocers Embracing Competition, Opportunity
The Griffin Report recently chatted with Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, about how grocers in the Keystone State are faring, the factors influencing them and the future outlook. What issues are impacting grocers in Pennsylvania this year? Economic factors, chiefly inflation, supply chain disruptions and adapting to changing consumer […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Giving Back Runs Deep With Kent’s Market In Utah
For Kent’s Market, being able to give back to its communities adds meaning to everything the business does. “We stock the shelves and sell groceries just to support giving back to the community,” said Kati Calhoun, VP of marketing for the grocer, which operates four stores in Utah – in Brigham City, Plain City, Roy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southwest
At Marczyk Fine Foods, It’s ‘Not Everything, Just Everything You Need’
Sometimes the best way to understand a particular retailer is to ask the people who work there. Employees at Marczyk Fine Foods in downtown Denver had the following to say about where they work: “This is a cool, hip, local, open-minded, supportive place that values work life balance and offers amazing benefits.” The Shelby Report […]