Posted inEmerging Leaders, National

Shelby Awards Program Showcases Emerging Leaders

Shelby Publishing will be honoring the next generation of leaders in the food industry through its second-annual Emerging Leaders awards program. This includes retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers/vendors and solutions providers. Nominations are closing soon. “Shelby’s continued focus on our industry’s emerging leaders is both essential and inspiring,” said Stephanie Reid, president and COO of Shelby […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Feature, Southeast

ARG’s Focus On Creating Personal Relationships Backed By Integrity

When Alliance Retail Group (ARG) was founded in 2004, it was with the mission to create a business model that stood out, based on personal relationships. From the start, it was important to the founders that strong business metrics were ingrained in the company’s culture. To some, it might seem old fashioned, but they were […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Gelson's, Guest Contributors, The Kroger Co., West

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, […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Northeast, Whole Foods

Independent Grocers Building Strong Customer Relationships In Connecticut

One expert recently dubbed Connecticut’s grocery industry “a battleground of competition,” referring to the number of retailers in this market brandishing competitive pricing strategies to attract shoppers and online retail giants that are leveraging convenience with click-and-collect options.  Price and convenience are valid drivers, especially given the economic pressure facing residents. But as independent retailers […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Feature, Hy-Vee, Meijer, Midwest, The Kroger Co.

How Grocery Retailing Differs Throughout Midwest

by Diana Leza Sheehan, founder and principal consultant, PDG Insights The Midwest has a fascinating history that has helped to shape one of the more unique grocery landscapes in the United States. While national chains such as Walmart and Kroger hold significant weight, the region boasts a strong presence of regional powerhouses and a distinct consumer […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Feature, Southeast, The Kroger Co.

ARG Has Evolved To Offer Suite Of Services

Twenty years ago, Joe Wolf and Barry Maddox set out to create a company different from all others that serve independent retailers. Having been in the industry for decades, Wolf and Maddox intuitively knew they could get independent retailers more promotional trade dollars by working directly with consumer-packaged goods companies than what the retailers could […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Feature, Southeast

Alliance Companies Mark Two Decades Of Service

What differentiates the Hendersonville, Tennessee-based Alliance Companies, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is the ability to simplify the complex and provide wholistic solutions, all the while being transparent and driving a tremendous value proposition for its retailers as well as a measurable return on investment for its vendor partners.  Founded in 2004, […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Food City, Southwest, The Kroger Co.

New Stores Emerge As Demographics Drive Change Across Houston Metro Area

Houston’s urban core is seeing residents shift outward. Seeking a lower cost of living, many are choosing to relocate to towns within a 30-mile radius, which still affords them easy access to the city. Retailers appear to be following suit and selecting locations well outside city limits to build new stores. One of the fastest […]