Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series of articles intended to provide a view of the path to a brighter future for independent grocery as a whole and for independent grocers individually. As president of the Business Service Resource Group, I’ve spent over three decades working directly with family-owned businesses in the […]
Category: Guest Contributors
Posted inSustainability News, Guest Contributors, National, News
A Resource In The Wrong Place – The Economics Of Grocery Waste
Merchandise loss, also known as shrink or food waste, poses a persistent economic challenge for grocery stores. While the topic may not always provoke an emotional response, by the end of this article, you may find yourself reflecting on the true cost of waste. In fact, you might say you’ve WEPT – a helpful acronym […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National, News
Work Not Finished, But NGA Pleased With Efforts On Tax Measure, SNAP
Independent grocers across the country are applauding significant policy victories following months of persistent advocacy led by the National Grocers Association (NGA). With the enactment of a landmark tax package and the defense against the most damaging proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, NGA has delivered tangible results for independent operators and the […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: If You’re Going To Be A Bear, Be A Grizzly
“If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” This saying is one of my earliest learnings on how to be successful. It was during my early years at United Supermarkets of Oklahoma, where I spent the first 27 years of my career. I went from being a produce manager to assistant manager and […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
New Spending Bill And SNAP: Sifting Through The Ugly, Bad and Good
The Trump administration recently passed the spending bill. Some of the bill is new; some keeps in place existing programs. And where politicians exist, they do tricks and misinformation. Sometimes what they say is going to happen and what a bill actually does are two different things. Let’s take a deep look at the Supplemental […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Grocery Store Equipment, Guest Contributors, National, News
For Grocers, Refrigeration Management Is Often-Overlooked Lever For Profitability
by Jonathan Tan, co-founder of the Ratio Institute In 1916, Clarence Saunders opened the first self-service grocery store in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1930, the modern supermarket arrived in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York, in the form of King Kullen. These innovations birthed the need for the fourth utility in food retail – modern […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: Learning To Lead Like A National Park Guide
We recently went on a graduation celebration trip with our oldest grandson, Dax Graham Black, to Mesa Verde National Park. We had two different guides take us through a couple of the main attractions there – the Cliff House and the Balcony House. I had this thought as they inspired and educated us on how […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
SNAP Incentives, Fresh Innovation And The Role Of Independent Grocers
In June, the independent grocery industry came together in force for the 2025 NGA Fresh Summit in Milwaukee, where fresh food innovation met community commitment. From fresh-forward merchandising strategies to discussions about food safety, traceability and technology, the summit underscored what independent grocers already know – fresh food is not only a driver of growth […]