by Jim Weaks/ VP, Cummins Allison The grocery industry is constantly changing. Grocers must adapt to changes in consumer behaviors and expectations, online competitors luring away once-loyal shoppers and economic uncertainty that threatens already razor-thin margins. With that in mind, the pressure is on to control costs and find new ways of increasing profitability. Fortunately, […]
Category: Guest Contributors
Posted inGuest Contributors, Bonus Content, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National
HR & Benefits News: Current Employee Handbook: A Must for Grocers
Editor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Myth: Independent grocers really don’t need employee handbooks…no one reads them anyway. Reality: An employee handbook can help protect grocers who face lawsuits or discrimination charges if it’s up-to-date and well-written. Grocers of all sizes need […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Amazon Fresh, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National, Whole Foods
Will Someone Win The Price Vs. Service Battle, Or Is There Room For Both?
by Art Patch/a retired retail executive & regular columnist for The Shelby Report For years, the successful retail business model featured a strong commitment to customer service. Customer service does cover a broad area but was often listed in surveys as the primary reason a customer chose a store. It was not uncommon for employees […]
Posted inBonus Content, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, International Foods, Specialty, West
Multicultural Marketplace Column: Challenging Times Call For Bold Action
by Terry Soto/strategy consultant and author of “Marketing to Hispanics: A Strategic Approach to Assessing and Planning Your Initiative” When thinking about the topic for this article, I couldn’t help thinking about what is most salient in the Hispanic community right now. I would have to say without a doubt that it’s the current negative […]
Posted inUncategorized, Bonus Content, Grocery Industry, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National
HR & Benefits News: The Real Cost Of Worker Turnover For Grocers
Editor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a new monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Price tag of turnover is shocking Employee turnover is a significant issue for independent grocers, especially for part-time workers. And the real cost of turnover is hidden—it’s not a tracked profit-and-loss statement line item. […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Bonus Content, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National
Getting SMART About Back-To-School
by Naomi Sleeper/director of business development, Imperial Distributors As the summer season comes to a close, families are starting to do their back-to-school (BTS) shopping. According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) study, BTS and college spending is the second highest shopping season for retailers, after the winter holidays. Total BTS spending accounts for more than […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Amazon Fresh, Bonus Content, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Signature Content, Whole Foods
Harry Blazer: Reflections On The Proposed Whole Foods Purchase By Amazon
Harry Blazer founded Harry’s Farmers Market in the Atlanta area in 1987, opening in Alpharetta. Two others later opened in metro counties Cobb and Gwinnett. Whole Food Market purchased the three Harry’s megastores in October 2001 as well as a distribution center, commissary kitchen, bakehouse and office facilities. Today, Blazer is a consultant ([email protected]). Here […]
Posted in, Bonus Content, Guest Contributors, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National, Nonfood Items, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Non-Food For Thought: Are You Ready To Spring Into Warm-Weather Sales?
by Naomi Sleeper/director of business development, Imperial Distributors In honor of Father’s Day coming up in June, our May non-foods thoughts focus on products for male consumers. With grilling tools and gadgets—as well as camping gear and summer beer accessories—on display in stores now, supermarkets offer a variety of giftable seasonal general merchandise suitable for men […]