The Women Grocers of America Symposium has always been a highlight of our industry’s (and my personal) calendar, but this year’s gathering carried a special energy. Over the course of two days at the Atlanta headquarters of the Coca-Cola Co., a premier sponsor of WGA, it became clear that the independent grocery industry is not […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, Southeast
Asheville, NC-based Earth Fare Looks Back On Helene, Continues Relief Efforts
One year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, Asheville-based Earth Fare executives say the storm tested both the company and the community – and revealed the strength of partnerships forged during crises. Laurie Aker, director of marketing, described the experience as “literally like we were in ‘The Walking Dead.’ There was absolutely no communication.” […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Building To Last – Timeline For Long-Term Succession In Grocery
Editor’s note: This is the second 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. In the first part of this series, we discussed the future of our industry. Now, we dive into the tactical […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest, News
Economy Stable, Food Retailers Strong In Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s grocery industry is holding steady, but independent grocers are closely watching labor, inflation, consumer confidence and regulatory and legislative issues, according to Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “I think the economy right now is fairly stable in Wisconsin,” Semmann said. “From an industry perspective, we’re hoping to make sure […]
Posted inFeature, News, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS Reflects On Hurricane Helene Response One Year Later
In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Helene in late September 2024, the ECRS team in Boone, North Carolina, stepped up to support its community and the greater western North Carolina region. ECRS, a transaction and retail solutions provider, is located in Watauga County, which was included in FEMA’s 39-county disaster declaration. “Our dedicated employees […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Anniversary Issues, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
‘Publix Will Take Care Of You’ – Opportunities Aplenty For Associates Of All Ages
At Publix Super Markets, ownership isn’t just a financial arrangement – it’s a mindset that leaders say has fueled the grocer’s success for 95 years. As the largest employee-owned company in the U.S., Publix has more than 260,000 associates across eight states. Each has the opportunity to become an owner through the company’s employee stock […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Leadership: ‘The 5 Rules’ For Winning The Holidays
For all of us that are grocery retailers, November and December aren’t just regular months. They’re the two biggest sales months of the year – not by a little, by a lot. And it can be overwhelming for our teams and customers. Remember one of my top leadership lessons for success: We take care of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, News, Publix Super Markets, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
‘A Place For Everyone’ – Publix Offers Sense Of Family, Belonging, Career Paths
When Marcy Benton walked into Publix for what she thought would be a summer job while in graduate school, she didn’t expect to find a lifelong career. After all, it seemed as though her entire hometown of Lakeland, Florida, worked for the company, and she wanted to escape the familiar for a bigger city. “They […]