The independent grocer is “alive and well” in Arkansas, according to Steve Goode, president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association. Recent years have shown that “independent retailers have the ability to adapt and overcome almost any situation.” He said independents were able to overcome COVID, supply and transportation issues in the past three […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Panel Discusses Labor Challenges In Today’s Job Market
How do grocers attract employees and future leaders in today’s challenging job market? Those were the among the topics of a panel discussion at the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention in Orlando, Florida. The inspiration for the panel came from a presentation at an NGA board meeting. GFIA President Kathy Kuzava listened to economist […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Floods Swallow Isom IGA In Kentucky
From IGA News The morning of July 28 hit different from other Thursdays for Isom IGA Owner and 2007 IGA International Retailer of the Year Gwen Christon. After a 12-hour deluge in eastern Kentucky brought 7-10 inches of rain overnight and raised the North Fork Kentucky River about 11 feet above flood stage – an […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
GFIA Posts Record Attendance For Popular Annual Conference
More than 900 people attended the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention, held in Orlando, Florida. The majority of those were retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, according to GFIA President Kathy Kuzava. She cited several highlights of the annual conference: Teross Young, VP of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs for Ahold Delhaize USA, received GFIA’s 2022 […]
Posted inPackaging News, Feature, Southeast
Mister Bee Potato Chips Expands Co-Packing Production
Parkersburg, West Virginia-based Mister Bee Potato Chips is expanding its private label co-packing services to add to its chip making for retail outlets. The small, woman-owned business upgraded its entire facilities – new fryer, computerized seasoning, bagging process and new warehouse – providing opportunities for expanding its production to make custom chips for other snack companies, […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Hometown Foods Serving Waterloo, Tiny Town Of Traer
Jill and Doug Eilderts both had backgrounds in the grocery industry before deciding to buy their first Hometown Foods store in Waterloo, Iowa, in May 2019. In September 2020, they acquired a second store in nearby Traer. Jill Eilderts has worked at the Waterloo store for 35 years, starting off as a cashier when she […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Measure Aids Online Market Transparency In Louisiana
The Louisiana Retailers Association led an initiative this year to pass Act 316, legislation that will make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods online. According to Jessica Elliott, executive director of the LRA, the measure will increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure verification of high-volume online sellers. “Grocers have made significant […]