by John Ross / president and CEO of IGA If you have been paying attention to the latest craze sweeping private investors, you may have seen several companies raising a whole lot of money on the promise of creating a practical fusion reactor. Fusion? That’s the mechanism that powers the sun. It’s the dream of […]
Category: Guest Contributors
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Sales Strong But Labor Looms Large For Independent Grocer
by Greg Ferrara / NGA president and CEO Alongside the important role in feeding America’s communities, the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the agility and resiliency of independent community grocers. Additional support for this comes via the 2021 edition of the Independent Grocers Financial Survey, an annual joint study between NGA and FMS Solutions. From crisis […]
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Independents Lead As Pandemic Uncertainty Clouds Holiday Season
by Greg Ferrara / president and CEO, National Grocers Association At this writing, summer has given way to fall and many folks are looking ahead to the winter holidays. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to subside, supply chain challenges persist. Exact conditions may vary by market and region, but some items may be more difficult to […]
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GCCA Asking For Grants To Help Food Supply Chain
by Lowell Randel / SVP, government and legal affairs, Global Cold Chain Alliance The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of supply chains to a strong economy where consumers have reliable access to essential goods such as food. While the food supply chain has shown resiliency and strength, disruptions have highlighted some challenges. As a result, […]
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Ross: Joint Research Report Finds Grocery Shoppers Are More Alike Than Not
by John Ross / president and CEO of IGA Do you believe our country is more aligned or more divisive today than it was a year ago? Five years ago? A decade? If it feels as if the answer is “more divided than ever,” the data supports that. A famous paper published by the non-partisan […]
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Ferrara: Importance Of Having A Voice Comes To Forefront
by Greg Ferrara / NGA president and CEO As an industry, it is essential that we speak with a united voice to ensure that our interests are addressed and we are given a fair shake in the marketplace alongside our competitors. It’s no secret that the market has been under more intense pressure in the […]
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Independent Grocers Beware, There Is A New Enemy Lurking
by John Ross / president and CEO of IGA You are under surveillance. Your business, its exact location. And the people watching? They’re planning to steal. I don’t mean thieves who plan to break in and make off with groceries. These thieves want something infinitely more valuable: data. Once they have it, they can own […]
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U.S. Ag Department Focusing On Food Supply Chain
by Lowell Randel / SVP, government and legal affairs for Global Cold Chain Alliance The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of supply chains to a strong economy where consumers have reliable access to food and essential goods. While the food supply chain has shown resiliency and strength, disruptions have highlighted some challenges. As a result, […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, Home Page Slider, National
Independent Grocers Tackling Workforce Issues Head On
by Greg Ferrara / president and CEO, National Grocers Association With the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel visible at last, grocers are emerging having demonstrated that they are – without a doubt – “supermarket superheroes.” After more than 15 months, grocery stores provided some stability in a world of uncertainty. As restrictions […]
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Tax Increases Would Hurt Grocery Industry After Challenges Of Past Year
By Leslie Sarasin / President and CEO, FMI – The Food Industry Association During the past year, America’s grocers stepped up and made the necessary investments to safely keep stores open and shelves stocked. Now, after one of the most challenging years for the food retail industry, lawmakers propose to raise taxes, which would make our job […]
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Is Nation’s Labor Shortage Temporary Phenomenon Or Long-Term Issue?
by John Ross / President and CEO of IGA The news is filled with reports of America’s labor shortage. Liberals claim people aren’t working because labor rates are too low; conservatives contend that COVID stimulus has made it better to stay home and collect unemployment benefits. But the arguments don’t fix the problem facing the grocery […]
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Independent Grocery Is Economic Engine, Churning Forward
by Greg Ferrara / President and CEO, National Grocers Association Anyone familiar with the independent supermarket industry knows that independent community grocers are entrepreneurs within the marketplace, seeking any opportunity to innovate and grow, and now the numbers are in to prove it. NGA commissioned John Dunham & Associates to conduct its latest economic impact study to demonstrate […]
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As Suspicion Of Food Continues To Mount, So Does Importance Of Trust
by John Ross / president and CEO of IGA In the past year, we have seen evidence of what happens when trust is lost. From the sanctity of the church to the integrity of a local election, it seems everything is suspect. And this includes food. Americans today are more cautious about what they eat, and […]
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New Study Highlights Economic Impact Of Food, Agriculture Industry
by Lowell Randel / SVP, Government and Legal Affairs for Global Cold Chain Alliance The Global Cold Chain Alliance was among 34 food and agriculture organizations that commissioned a nationwide study measuring the impact of the food and agriculture sectors of the economy. The results of the research were released in March and can be found at […]
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Toolkit Can Help Independents Set Up, Offer SNAP Online Purchasing
by Greg Ferrara / President and CEO, National Grocers Association The ethos of the independent grocer includes a commitment to the community. In the grocery business, that often means helping families that are faced with food insecurity. One of the cornerstones of this mission is the public-private partnership of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, for which retailers play […]
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Emerging Technology Doesn’t Have To Be Threat To Independent Grocers
by John Ross / President and CEO of IGA In my line of work, I see great customer service almost daily. I will be visiting an IGA owner or an unaffiliated independent grocer, and they seem to know the names of every shopper we pass in the aisles. It’s a warm and personal experience where the […]
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Slight Chance For Normal Spring Made Better By Independent Grocers
by Greg Ferrara / president, National Grocers Association A lot of folks were dealt a double whammy this winter – bone-chilling cold plus pandemic-driven restrictions on gatherings and dining out. Perhaps more so than ever before, Americans are ready for some relief and are patiently (or impatiently) waiting for the sun to come out, temperatures […]
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Go Online, Improve Shopping Experience And Modernize Media
by John Ross / President and CEO of IGA It was a long time coming, but somewhere around 2018, the lines crossed – Americans started getting more of their meals from restaurants, takeout and delivery than from meals they prepared themselves at home. And it looked like, based on a 10-year trend, that grocery retailers would […]
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Policy Outlook Offers Opportunities, Challenges For Food Supply Chain
by Lowell Randel / SVP, Government and Legal Affairs, Global Cold Chain Alliance Early in his term, President Joe Biden has taken a series of executive actions and issued policy proposals, several of which will impact the food supply chain. As with any new administration, there have been both opportunities and challenges. It is no surprise that […]
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Industry Vet Sorensen Writing Next Chapter Of Her Career
by Cindy Sorensen / The Grocery Group Ever since I entered the industry in 1983, I’ve always enjoyed reading grocery trade magazines. At the start of my career, I was a sales representative for Nestlé. Every three to four weeks, I visited 65 independent grocery stores in western Wisconsin and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Reading […]