Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, Independent Store News, National

Retailer Perspective On The Economic Outlook For Independent Grocers

Record inflation has been putting pressure on independent grocers as well as their customers, stretching folks’ spending power and retailers’ ability to deliver value. There are signs that things are easing up, but is anyone feeling it yet?  The National Grocers Association hosted a recent webinar exploring current economic conditions driving the marketplace, what independent […]

Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National

At NGA’s Executive Conference, Future Belongs To Independent Grocers

The COVID-19 pandemic threw the nation for a loop, dropping us all into a new world that’s still reeling from record inflation, supply chain pressures, political turmoil and global conflict. Through it all, independent grocers have delivered sustenance, stability and support to their communities. As the post-pandemic landscape unfolds, NGA continues to offer guidance to […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Guest Contributors, National

Exploring How Retail Grocery Can Tap Into Coming Benefits Of AI 

Remember when the buzz was all about category management? E-commerce? Block chain? Big data? Well, the new chatter is all about artificial intelligence, or AI. But this time the breakthrough tech is traveling through everything – business, consumers, governments and even artists. Unlike those other transformative technology waves, AI is something we can experience and […]

Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National

New Fees, Restrictions On SNAP Would Stifle Efforts To Help Food Insecure

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, is a public-private program that works as it was designed – to help feed the food insecure.  And in many rural and urban areas, where independent community grocers often are the only convenient source of fresh groceries and other essential goods, SNAP has been an effective […]

Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National

Celebrating Foundation Awareness Week Means Recognizing Impact Of Our Industry

The support upon which something rests. Justification or reason. An underlying basis or principle. These are among the dictionary definitions of “foundation.” And they’re all appropriate descriptions for the NGA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association that supports recruiting, retention and leadership development efforts for the future of the independent community grocer. […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National

FMI Leader Lays Out Six Imperatives Facing The Food Industry Today

By Janet Jones Kendall, FMI Smartbrief After the pandemic forced years of shortened vision and focus on constantly changing issues within the food and other industries, it is now time for leaders to focus on bigger-picture issues facing the industry today, said FMI — The Food Industry Association — President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin in a State […]

Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National

Inflation, Recession, Obsession – How Retailers Can Navigate An Unpredictable Market

Were you a math kid or a reading kid? Right brain or left? As retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and technology partners, we clearly need a hearty dose of right brain creativity to be successful in the grocery business. Just as important, we also need some good math chops. We wouldn’t survive long if we couldn’t count […]