Initiatives like diversity and inclusion, leadership development, technical assistance and support for the industry’s next generation are important to independent grocers but are often eclipsed by the ongoing day-to-day business of feeding their communities. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, the NGA Foundation supports the future of the independent community grocer […]
Category: Guest Contributors
What’s Driving Dairy Purchasing Decisions?
Dairy is a destination for daily staples on most shopping trips. But, how are evolving demographics, changing nutritional requirements and the rise of alternative products influencing what winds up in consumers’ baskets? A recent webinar hosted by NGA explored consumption trends for dairy products as part of a healthy eating pattern, including potential barriers that […]
A New Look At Labor Retention For Independent Grocery Operators
Grocery has one of the highest employee turnover rates of any U.S. industry. A recent study commissioned by the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council examined the lingering impact of the pandemic and other issues around hiring and retention. In a recent webinar hosted by the National Grocers Association and the NGA Foundation, longtime industry expert, observer […]
SNAP Choice Preserved As Deliberations Continue On Nutrition Policies
A year ago, independent grocers were looking toward a reauthorization of the Farm Bill, the nation’s nutrition policy roadmap that’s supposed to be updated every five years. Work toward a new Farm Bill has continued since last November, when lawmakers passed a one-year extension to the 2018 legislation. A politically divided Congress continues to hammer […]
Taste Of The Southeast: Why The Grocery Landscape Stands Out In This Area
by Diana Leza Sheehan, founder and principal consultant, PDG Insights The grocery industry across the United States is a complex ecosystem, but the Southeast boasts a unique landscape shaped by regional preferences, strong community ties and a dominant player: Publix. In this report, part of Shelby Publishing’s Successfully Selling Regional Grocers series this month, let’s dive […]
Simmering Southwest: Region Boasts Unique Brew Of Grocery Retailing
By Diana Leza Sheehan / founder and principal consultant, PDG Insights The American grocery landscape is a fascinating ecosystem of national giants and regional independents, learning and competing against each other. The Southwest region of the United States has evolved in unexpected ways, driven by strong independents that innovate effectively while continuing to successfully compete […]
Wild West Of Grocery: A Look At Dynamic Landscape Of Western U.S.
by Diana Leza Sheehan / founder and principal consultant, PDG Insights The grocery store aisles of the American West provide a unique picture compared to the rest of the country. Beyond familiar national brands, the diversity of its population and storied history of the region has shaped shopping habits and a demand for non-traditional ingredients, […]
Inflation, Diversity and Other Hot Buttons
The post-pandemic period is offering independent grocers challenges that operationally may pale in comparison to those of the COVID-19 era but are adding pressure to the bottom line and the way supermarket operators are perceived by consumers. Inflation has driven up the cost of most aspects of doing business in a way that has made […]
