IGA offers initiatives, help to keep pace with the trends by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Phil Blackburn owns four IGA grocery stores in eastern Washington, two of which are general market and the others Hispanic-oriented. In 2021, he expects another good year for independent grocers. “We’re still holding with a lot larger basket size, so […]
Category: National
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, National, Shelby Exclusives
NGA To Independent Supermarkets: Tell Your Story, Emphasize Local
Consumers likely will keep associating them with safety by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Greg Ferrara sees 2021 as “the year of opportunity for independents.” Because while 2020 brought disruption to businesses across the nation in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery came out stronger on the other side. “Our industry overall responded incredibly well, […]
Posted inShelby Exclusives, Home Page Slider, National
Column: Taking A Peek Past Pandemic – Predictions For 2021, Beyond
by John Ross, president and CEO of IGA Your inboxes likely are filled with looks back at 2020 and reflections on all the craziness that ensued. Instead, I want to look forward to 2021 and the years ahead in our industry. Using insights from our stores in China, which has been dealing with the coronavirus […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Home Page Slider, National, Shelby Exclusives
Sorensen: Channel Competition Driving Growth of Wholesale Services
by Cindy Sorensen / founder, The Grocery Group Many of you can only imagine how much change occurs over the course of nearly 40 years in any given field. In 1983, I started my career in the grocery industry as a sales representative for Nestlé Foods. I was responsible for selling a portfolio of Nestlé products in […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Slider, National
Coca-Cola With Coffee Now Available In U.S. Markets
Coca-Cola with Coffee officially made its U.S. debut on Jan. 25. The breakthrough innovation creates the new “refreshment coffee” category with a proposition that “sips like a Coke and finishes like a coffee.” Coca-Cola with Coffee and Coca-Cola with Coffee Zero Sugar bring together Coca-Cola taste infused with Brazilian coffee. It is available nationwide in […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, National
Fresh Produce & Floral Council Introduces New Board Of Directors
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council has introduced a new set of board members for 2021. Typically, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council would hold its annual dinner dance to announce the passing of the gavel from Brian Cook of Pete’s to Sean McClure of Professional Produce, the incoming 2021 chairman of the board; but […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Association News, National
NGA Poses Five Questions For … KeHE’s Ari Goldsmith
NGA is introducing a regular feature that explores the insights of independent grocery operators. This week, Ari Goldsmith, VP of marketing for KeHE Distributors LLC, shares her thoughts with us … What were the most important lessons of 2020? An important lesson that has emerged during 2020 is to stay nimble and find new ways […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Produce News
Looking At Local Produce And Nutrition Incentive Programs
By Ted Mason and Jimmy Wright / NGAF TA Center As buying agents for the grocery shoppers they serve, grocers never lose track of their obligation to provide shoppers with the products they want and need. Just as home gardeners know fruits and vegetables grown in their backyard are the freshest one can get, grocers […]