Editor’s note: This is the first 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 individually. As president of the Business Service Resource Group, I’ve spent over three decades working directly with family-owned businesses in the […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocers In Missouri Navigating Uncertainty, Regulation And Market Shifts
Missouri’s grocery retailers are navigating a period of uncertainty shaped by federal trade disputes, state-level legislation, labor shortages and shifting consumer demand. “I would say we’re pretty much like the rest of the country, in that we’re a little nervous,” said Dan Shaul, executive state director of the Missouri Grocers Association. “Everybody wants it to […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Associated Grocers, Inc., News, Southeast
Outgoing EVP: From Get-Go, Associated Grocers Has Been ‘All About Service’
Carl Marks, EVP and chief strategy officer at Associated Grocers, will retire in October, marking the close of 27 years with the company across two distinct tenures. Marks initially joined Associated Grocers in 1988, having started his career in the grocery industry “sort of accidentally” at a small wholesaler in Alexandria, Louisiana, followed by a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, News, West
Zupan’s Celebrates 50th Anniversary In Portland, OR
Zupan’s Markets is celebrating its 50th anniversary all year long. “We’re proud of our family’s legacy and deeply grateful for the customers, associates and partners who’ve supported us over the years,” said Mike Zupan, president and CEO. “This milestone is as much theirs to celebrate as it is ours.” Zupan’s, operating three gourmet markets in […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Associated Grocers, Inc., News, Southeast
Grounded In Experience, New AGBR Leadership Guides Company Forward
“We’re just getting started.” That’s the message from David Politz, new president and CEO of Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. (AG), as the company marks its 75th anniversary this year and positions itself for future growth. “It’s a combination of being local experts in our food market and offering a level of service and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Wakefern Ties, Hybrid Model Allow Price Rite Marketplace To Thrive In Rhode Island
The Griffin Report recently chatted with Kevin McDonnell, president of Price Rite Marketplace, about the state of the supermarket industry in Rhode Island. How would you describe Price Rite Marketplace’s product assortment strategy and the factors that influence that approach? At Price Rite Marketplace, our focus is on creating a curated assortment of products […]
Posted inBakery News, Feature, National, News
Bimbo Bakehouse Unveils Bakery Innovations To Meet Everyday Occasions
Bimbo Bakehouse is expanding its innovation pipeline to meet the needs of younger consumers and drive growth in the in-store bakery. The Griffin Report recently caught up with Mollie Crudden, senior director of marketing for Bimbo Bakehouse, and Dana Strain, senior marketing manager at Bimbo Bakeries USA, about additions to the company’s lineup. “We have […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, West
Ray’s Food Place Filling Grocery Needs Of Happy Camp, CA
Happy Camp, California, sits about as far north in California as one can go. The Siskiyou County town – population about 900 – sits in the middle of the Klamath National Forest, on the banks of the Klamath River. The memorable name of the town, legend has it, was bestowed by a prospector who found […]