Famously, Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign used the phrase, “It’s the economy, Stupid” as a point of focus for Bill Clinton when he ran for his first term in office. Meant to ensure the campaign didn’t get distracted from the key message, the polls and market research clearly showed that the number one issue facing voters […]
Category: Guest Contributors
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Independent Grocers’ 2025 Policy Priorities: Fairer, More Competitive Marketplace
As independent grocers navigate an ever-evolving retail landscape, policy decisions in Washington loom large over the future of our industry. From leveling the playing field with power buyers to protecting consumer choice and addressing rising operating costs, the National Grocers Association is committed to advocating for policies that ensure a vibrant, competitive grocery marketplace. With […]
Posted inFeature, Guest Contributors, Southeast
Florida Leads In Navigating Southeast Latino Grocery Landscape
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder, principal consultant, PDG Insights In this new series, we explore the opportunity created for retailers by targeting Latino grocery consumers across the United States. In this article, we focus on the Southeast. For context, the Latino population in 2024 reached about 66 million, or about 19.5 percent of the […]
Posted in, Guest Contributors, National, Online Grocery Technology
Unlocking Power Of Retail Media Networks For Independent Retailers
by Mark Baum, chief collaboration officer, SVP, industry affairs, FMI – The Food Industry Association Independent retailers have long enjoyed the loyalty of their customers, offering personalized service and a unique shopping experience. This deep-rooted consumer trust is their greatest asset – and now, retail media networks present an opportunity to transform that loyalty into […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Leadership: Continual Learnings From Cutting Firewood
by Steve Black It was about 25 years ago that I had an awesome idea. We lived in Oklahoma at the time and had always bought our firewood. Mesquite trees were an abundant nuisance to farmers that needed the land cleared to grow crops. Our boys were teenagers, and it made sense to me that […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Consumer Trends Present New Opportunities To Leverage Fresh, Health, Wellness
Consumer trends in 2025 highlight a growing focus on health and wellness, presenting significant opportunities for independent grocers to adapt and thrive. Shoppers are increasingly prioritizing fresh, nutritious products and personalized solutions, driving a shift in how food retailers approach their offerings. Independent grocers, with their deep community connections and agility in meeting changing preferences, […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
New Year, Fresh Start – ‘Hope’ As Positive Attitude Can Help Guide Leaders
by Steve Black A new year always brings a fresh start and renewed motivation and hope. Hope for many areas of our lives to get better. Hope that most of the impacts from COVID-19 are behind us. Hope that the employment situation will calm and turn in the right direction. Hope for our businesses to […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
What Presidential Election Means For Independent Grocers In 2025
The past several years have brought a host of policy wins for independent grocers. From progress toward antitrust enforcement and credit card reform to protection of federal nutrition programs, NGA’s advocacy efforts have made historic leaps. While we have been building momentum on these issues, there is still plenty to do. With the results of […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Embracing Traits Of Difference-Makers Can Help Retailers Win Holiday Season
by Steve Black If we’re going to win the holidays in our business, we must have a team full of difference-makers. As we know, December is our busiest month of the year. And this year is one of the shortest time frames – 27 days – between Thanksgiving and Christmas that we’ve had since pre-COVID-19. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Guest Contributors, The Kroger Co., West
Populous West Home To Dynamic, Diverse Grocery Market
The grocery retail landscape in the western United States is as diverse and dynamic as the region itself. Across states, we find one of the most varied geographic landscapes in the country. The region presents a diverse range of climates and terrains, from deserts throughout Arizona, Nevada and California to rainforests in Washington and Alaska. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Big Y Foods, Corporate Store News, Guest Contributors, Harris Teeter, Northeast, The Kroger Co.
Opportunity For Independent Grocers Abounds In Urban, Diverse Northeast
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder and principal consultant, PDG Insights The grocery retail landscape in the Northeast United States is dynamic and multifaceted, characterized by a complex mix of regional players and national competitors. From the bustling urban centers of Boston, New York and Philadelphia to the quaint coastal towns of Maine and Maryland, the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Education Driving Excitement At 2025 NGA Show
Independent grocers are a dedicated bunch. For many, time away from the business is time wasted, and vacations are certainly not a high priority. NGA understands that your time is precious. That’s why The NGA Show is designed to help you make the most of your time, with an education-centric program built around what you […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Feature, Guest Contributors, Harps Food Stores, Southwest, The Kroger Co.
Led by Lone Star State, Southwestern U.S. Ripe For Grocers
by Diana Leza Sheehan The grocery retail landscape in the American Southwest is a dynamic and evolving ecosystem. This region – defined by The Shelby Report as Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas – is characterized by a blend of national grocers and innovative regional independents. These players are not only competing but learning […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Food Lion, Guest Contributors, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
Southern Flavors: Unpacking Unique Supermarket Scene In Southeastern U.S.
by Diana Leza Sheehan Within the grocery sector in the U.S., the Southeast stands out with its distinctive characteristics. Influenced by local tastes, strong community bonds and the significant presence of Publix, this region’s grocery landscape is unique. Including some 11 states, the Southeast region accounts for 25 percent of the U.S. population – about […]
Posted inCoborn's, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Dollar General, Festival Foods, Guest Contributors, Independent Store News, Midwest, The Kroger Co.
Midwest Grocery: How Rural Nuance Allows Regional Independents To Thrive
by Diana Leza Sheehan While many factors help to shape the state of grocery retailing in the Midwest, geography plays a critical role in how retailers have evolved and thrived over time. National chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Aldi continue to hold a significant share in the market, yet the region features many small […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Thanksgiving Celebration And Laws Of The Harvest
Thanksgiving, as we know it today, is rooted in a harvest feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in 1621. This marked a moment of giving thanks for a successful harvest after a tough year. The Pilgrims, who had settled at Plymouth Rock, were ill-prepared for the harsh New England winter. They suffered from […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National
Time For Independent Grocers, Their Communities To Give Thanks For Each Other
Being the heart of the community takes on a deeper meaning at this time of year, as the fall and winter holidays traditionally center around the family table, and independent grocers bear a great responsibility in helping folks fill that table. This year, as Thanksgiving approaches, we should pause to consider our fellow Americans impacted […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Industry Veteran Releases First Book On Leadership, ‘The 5 Rules’
Wouldn’t it be great if you could lock in on some simple life rules for success that you and your circle could easily understand and follow? Even better, what if everyone knew that those were the same rules you follow? And what if those rules could actually be applied at home? What follows is a […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Getting Involved Reaps Benefits For Independent Grocers’ Priorities
Making oneself heard can be a challenge, especially as a single voice in the political wilderness. And in an election year, the noises around us competing for attention can be deafening. But while being united makes us stronger, it’s still vitally important for our individual members to participate in the process at the local level. […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Traceability Resource Center Gives Independent Grocers Food Safety Boost
September is National Food Safety Education Month, a perfect opportunity for independent grocers to pay extra attention to and raise awareness of an issue that’s already a top priority in their daily business. This boost in awareness is particularly timely in the wake of a recent listeria outbreak affecting deli meats and the presence of […]