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, […]
Category: The Independent Perspective
Posted in, National, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, The Independent Perspective, Women In The News
As First Woman Supermarket Manager, Carole Bitter Has Led Industry For Women
Carole Bitter grew up in a time when opportunities in management for women in the grocery industry did not exist. Even as the daughter of supermarket owners, she never considered running the family business because the heir apparent was a male cousin. Bitter’s grandfather came to the U.S. from Austria-Hungary at the turn of the […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National, Online Grocery Technology, The Independent Perspective
Technology Is Revolutionizing Shopping
The NGA Show concluded in February, but I still find myself thinking about how new technology innovations are changing the fundamental nature of grocery shopping. The impact of consumer-facing technology was a huge topic among show attendees. Several breakout sessions presented fascinating updates on the latest tech ideas that are driving rapid change throughout the […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
GMA’s Foley Joins Government Relations Team At NGA
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has hired Matthew Foley as its senior manager of government relations. “Matt joins us with government and industry affairs experience and has a strong understanding of food policy and member relations,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA’s VP of public affairs. “NGA is pleased to strengthen our government relations team and further […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
A Congressional Year In Review And A Look To Future Action
Similar to 2012, this past year’s themes encompassed those of partisan gridlock and legislative uncertainty, making it another challenging year for our industry. While the so-called “fiscal cliff” was averted in the very early hours of 2013, Americans experienced a partial government shutdown for the first time in more than a decade. Many issues, including […]
Posted in, Southeast, The Independent Perspective
Southern Season Opens In Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
A Southern-style emporium featuring cooking classes, a specialty grocery store, a restaurant and more is now open for business in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Live 5 WCSC reports that Southern Season, located at 730 Coleman Blvd., is holding a grand opening celebration through Sept. 22. The festivities include live music, cooking demos, tastings and a “Southern […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Retailer Need Drives NGA’s Leaps In Technology
More than 2,700 retailers, wholesalers and suppliers recently joined us for the 2013 NGA Show in Las Vegas. As I said in my February column, our goal was to offer new and innovative resources to the industry, particularly in the area of technology. The show opened with a conversation I had with Joe Sheridan, president […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Status Quo The Result Of Election 2012
If you live in one of the 2012 battleground states, you are probably thankful that Election Day has come and gone. Your phone has stopped ringing, your mailbox is not overflowing with political flyers and you can watch television without being bombarded with ads for candidates and causes. A record $6 billion was spent in […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Celebrating 30 Years Of Serving Independent Grocers
by Peter J. Larkin/president and CEO, NGA Special to The Shelby Report Three decades ago, a new organization was created to represent the independent sector of the supermarket industry. Today, the National Grocers Association (NGA) remains the only national trade association exclusively focused on representing the independent sector of the food industry. Over the past […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Grocers Take Notice: FDA Tobacco Compliance Checks Are On The Rise
by Peter J. Larkin/president and CEO, NGA Special to The Shelby Report The Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Obama in June of 2009, gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explicit power to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products. Since then, the retail industry has been subjected to new […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, The Independent Perspective
Ezekiel Bread Rolls Out Sprouted Flax Variety
Food for Life’s Ezekiel 4:9 bread is now available with sprouted flax. Like all Food for Life products, Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Flax Bread is 100 percent flourless and free of conditioners, additives, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. It also is made with filtered water and no added fat and is low-glycemic, diabetic-friendly, pH-balanced and kosher-certified. […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
SNAP a Target for Cuts as 2012 Farm Bill Debate Heats Up
This month, negotiations in Congress continue to heat up as the massive and very influential 2012 Farm Bill is debated before Congress leaves town for the August recess and another round of campaigning. The Farm Bill, which authorizes proposed funding for five years and deals with a diverse array of policy topics such as agriculture, […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
How Much Can Congress Cram into a Post-Election Session?
In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, Congress’ post-election session is slated to address a myriad of major issues, ranging from avoiding automatic cuts set in motion after the failure of the Supercommittee to preventing a major tax increase on millions of Americans and businesses when the existing individual rates expire on Dec. […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Online Learning for Independents
Now launching: The N.G.A. Online Training and Education Center With a highly competitive marketplace, small staffs, tight budgets and high turnover with a relatively inexperienced workforce, retailers have some challenges in training in-store team members. Bringing store-level personnel into classrooms or sending them to meetings can be expensive, time-consuming and impractical. And while webinars or […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Invest in Your Future
Every leader is aware of the value of a well-defined business strategy. Few, however, truly give thought to the leadership required to implement those strategies, especially ones that call for changes in the direction or capabilities of an organization. Having sufficient talent to fill key leadership roles is imperative for a successful and growing independent […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
When a Recess May Not Really Be a Recess: An Argument That Can Only Happen in Washington
On Dec. 23, 2011, President Obama and Congress finally departed Washington, D.C., for the holidays after a bruising battle over extending a payroll tax cut for employees. Although Congress was not in town, the House and Senate were technically not in recess but rather remained in a “pro-forma” session to prevent President Obama from making […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
The $1.5 Trillion Question: What Happens Nov. 23?
Come Nov. 23, most grocers will have little on their minds besides serving holiday shoppers and maximizing the end-of-Thanksgiving sales. Meanwhile, in Washington, thoughts of drumsticks and stuffing will have to take a back seat as the primary focus will be on the 12-member deficit reduction commission which must produce at least $1.5 trillion in […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
12 Members of Congress Who Could Have a Profound Impact
Back in early August, right before members of Congress hightailed it back to their districts for the August recess period, the Administration and Congress finally came to an agreement at the 11th hour to raise the nation’s debt limit. A major part of that agreement was the creation of a new 12-member “super committee”—formally known […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Debit Swipe Fee Reforms: What Does it All Mean for Your Business?
For nearly a decade merchants have been fighting to level the playing field and bring about reforms of debit and credit card interchange fees (often referred to as swipe fees)—fees that total over $50 billion a year. A little over a year ago merchants and consumers scored a major victory when an amendment authored by […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Grocers Take Notice: U.S. DOL Focuses on Supermarket Industry
Hilda Solis, secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), famously proclaimed at the beginning of her term that “there is a new sheriff at the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business.” The department has significantly increased its enforcement action in a number of areas, including OSHA and […]