Dennis Darling started bagging groceries at his local independent grocery store while still in high school. It’s where he says he not only discovered a career but met his wife of 41 years, Ruth. At the store, he was promoted quickly up the ladder and started managing for that same company at age 23. Eventually, […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted in, Bonus Content, National, Shelby Signature Content, The Independent Perspective, Women In The News
As First Woman Supermarket Manager, Carole Bitter Has Led Industry For Women
Carole Bitter grew up in a time when opportunities in management for women in the grocery industry did not exist. Even as the daughter of supermarket owners, she never considered running the family business because the heir apparent was a male cousin. Bitter’s grandfather came to the U.S. from Austria-Hungary at the turn of the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Grocery Industry, Market Profile, Shelby Signature Content, Southeast
Tennessee Food Retailers Face Challenges In Readying For Wine Sales Next Year
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer A referendum to allow food retailers in Tennessee to sell wine passed everywhere it was on the ballot last year. While getting that referendum on the November ballot was a long and oftentimes arduous process, the challenges aren’t over. Grocery stores in the 78 municipalities where wine sales will be allowed in […]
Posted in, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Independent Store News, International Foods, National, Shelby Signature Content
AWG Continues To Strengthen Focus On Hispanic Business
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer It would probably be an understatement to say that Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) puts a special focus on its Hispanic business. The Kansas City, Kansas-based wholesaler has been growing its Hispanic segment over the last four years and has seen a more than 500 percent increase in sales, according to Carlos […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Midwest
Show Me State Grocers Have A Trusted Friend In The State House
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Dan Shaul is state director of the Missouri Grocers Association (MGA) and last year added another impressive title: Missouri State Representative, 113th District. The experience has given him, in his words, the opportunity to see “how the sausage is truly made.” The knowledge he is gaining and relationships he is building […]
Posted in, Grocery Industry, Guest Contributors, National, Shelby Signature Content
For A Healthy Return, Invest Executive Time In New Hires
If your company does not arrange for a member of senior management to spend time with new hires during basic training you are missing an opportunity. The opportunity to help newly hired employees get a clear understanding of your company’s brand character as well as the financial drivers that make a retail grocery business successful. […]
Posted in, Merchandising News, Midwest, Perishables, Shelby Signature Content
Dutch Farms Grew From Basement Into Award-Winning Business
Company stays on trend with egg traceability technology It all started in 1987 in the basement of Brian Boomsma’s house in Highland, Indiana, where Dutch Farms’ first office was set up. Initially, the company offered only eggs, which is worthy of note, considering a revolutionary technology regarding eggs debuted at the Dutch Farms buying show […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National, Online Grocery Technology, The Independent Perspective
Technology Is Revolutionizing Shopping
The NGA Show concluded in February, but I still find myself thinking about how new technology innovations are changing the fundamental nature of grocery shopping. The impact of consumer-facing technology was a huge topic among show attendees. Several breakout sessions presented fascinating updates on the latest tech ideas that are driving rapid change throughout the […]