Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National

Truly Inspirational: BIPOC Independent Grocers Virtual Roundtable

By Chelsea Matzen / VP, NGA Foundation Diversity and inclusion is one of the NGA Foundation’s five programmatic pillars and one that will be important to the long-term success of the independent grocery industry. For an industry that can boast its position at the heart of the community, its reflection of that community – through […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast

Carolina Retailers Face Alcohol Issues, Though Solutions Differ

Modernizing alcohol regulations has been a top priority in North and South Carolina, according to Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council.  In North Carolina, the CFIC has been working to limit wine wholesalers’ split case fees. The charges ultimately limit retailers’ ability to provide deals to the customers and have been […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Beverage News, Southeast

Ready-To-Drink Cocktails Yields ‘Mixed Bag’ Of Success For TGCSA

Tennessee grocers are finding success in the sale of wine-based ready-to-drink cocktails, according to Rob Ikard, president and CEO, Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA).  The amendment to the original Wine Act of 2014 went into effect Jan. 1. Although TGCSA had proposed legislation that would have authorized the sale of both wine- and […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest

Shoplifting Bill Fails To Advance In Colorado

Colorado retailers can feel a bit safer after a low-level crime proposal that would’ve prohibited the arrest of shoplifters was struck down in the state’s most recent legislative session.  “It was really kind of egregious, especially with inflation,” said Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association & Convenience Store Association. While […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast

Kentucky Grocery Industry ‘Quite Strong,’ Retail Crime A ‘Huge Issue’

The state of Kentucky reported General Fund receipts for July of $1.1 billion, which was the 11th straight month that revenues surpassed the $1 billion mark. The state’s overall unemployment rate for July was 3.8 percent, which is very low historically, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. […]