It’s no secret that being an independent community grocer is hard work. Grocers aren’t strangers to long days on the job, fulfilling their commitment to ensure customers are not just satisfied but surprised and delighted every time they visit. As such, opportunities to spend time away from the store can be few and far between. […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independent Grocers Gather For NGA’s Fly-In For Fair Competition
The National Grocers Association held its second annual Fly-In for Fair Competition June 6-7 in Washington D.C. The fly-in began with advocacy training to prepare NGA members for their Congressional meetings on June 7. Training was conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation, an advocacy training organization in Washington D.C., and showed NGA members how to get the […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National
FMI Shares ‘Power Of Bakery,’ Emphasizes Health And Well-Being
Health and well-being are at the forefront of many consumers’ minds, and that includes how they look at bakery items. FMI VP Rick Stein presented The Power of Bakery report Sunday during the IDDBA Show in Anaheim, California. “I think it’s interesting, as we start asking customers about their eating approaches, most customers said they […]
Posted inFeature, Association News, National
New President: Association More than Show, ‘We’re Here 365 Days’
David Haaf, the new president of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, said he is pleased with the organization’s show in Anaheim, California. The Shelby Report caught up with him Sunday on the expo floor. “We’re most excited that we have actually hit our 2019 retail registry numbers,” he said. “And 2019 in Orlando was a record […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Consumers Increase Produce Purchases Due To Favorable Prices
The April Circana sales results and survey of primary grocery shoppers underscore that economic pressure on income continues to result in consumers moving around dollars between channels, products and brands. Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association have teamed up to document the impact on sales patterns in fresh produce. April fresh produce sales […]
Posted inFeature, Association News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National
Outgoing IDDBA Executive Readies For Retirement After Show
Mike Eardley, president and CEO of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, is getting ready to wrap up a decades-long career in the food industry. He will be retiring following the IDDBA Show, to be held June 4-6 in Anaheim, California. Eardley recently reflected on his years in the industry and his plans for retirement. […]
Posted inDairy News, Bakery News, Bravo Supermarkets, Deli News, National
IDDBA Shares Main Stage Lineup For 2023 Show
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association has announced the main stage lineup for the association’s flag ship event on June 4-6 in Anaheim, California. “Announcing our main stage lineup always comes with such anticipation and I am honored to make the official announcement,” said Whitney Atkins, VP of marketing for IDDBA. “Without further ado, IDDBA will welcome Padma Lakshmi, Alton Brown and Tom […]
Posted inIndustry Leaders Speak, National, Online Grocery Technology
Five Issues Omnichannel Grocers Need To Address This Year
Sponsored content By Mark Fairhurst, VP of marketing, Mercatus Technologies Inc. As VP of marketing at Mercatus, Fairhurst leads the development of the company’s overall marketing and brand strategy and related programs. He’s also co-host on “The Digital Grocer” podcast and brings to the show a marketer’s perspective on the rapidly evolving grocery tech landscape. […]
Posted inAsk The Experts, National
Consumer Safety And Brand Trust: A Must In The Grocery Retail Industry
Sponsored content Q&A with Quang Kwok, senior product manager at Invafresh More than ever before, consumers are demanding more information about the products they consume, where they come from and how they’re prepared. Food traceability is especially important in the world of fresh. Invafresh discusses the role fresh food retail technology plays in end-to-end traceability […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IGA Coca-Cola Institute Partners To Launch Online Active Shooter Course
The Retail Learning Institute/IGA Coca-Cola Institute, in collaboration with Rouses Markets and the Thibodeaux, Louisiana, Police Department, has launched an online course aimed at equipping grocery store employees with the knowledge to respond to active shooter incidents. Available in English and Spanish, this five-minute course provides a comprehensive how-to video that emphasizes the “Run, Hide, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Lipari Foods, National
NGA Announces Return Of Print, Online Magazine
The National Grocers Association has announced the return of its print magazine, “Independent Grocer.” “Formerly published years ago by the association, NGA has relaunched ‘Independent Grocer’ as a biannual magazine for association members that explores NGA member companies, executives, advocacy efforts and events. Also available in an online edition, Independent Grocer will be published twice […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Category Management Demands The Art Of Arrangement
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA director, communications and external affairs In today’s competitive environment, significant thought and consideration must be given to managing available shelf space. The arrangement of products demands creativity and foresight. To optimize available space, placement of items within a category must be done deliberately and artfully. Using data-driven planograms, or maps […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National
New City, Brand For 2024 Sweets And Snacks Expo
The Sweets & Snacks Expo has announced a new brand for its premier confectionery and snack trade show. Rolling out to coincide with the show moving to a two-city rotation in 2024 with Indianapolis, attendees at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo caught a preview of the new brand. “As we look to the future of this […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Supports USDA Efforts To Implement WIC Online Program
The National Grocers Association submitted comments May 24 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding its proposed updates to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children program to facilitate online access, ordering and food delivery for WIC participants. “USDA’s WIC program is critical in addressing nutrition insecurity and food access for millions […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Explore The Four Topics That Had Everyone Talking At AMC 2023
By Michael Uetz, managing principal, Midan Marketing Earlier this year, I had the privilege of meeting in person once again with individuals from all parts of the meat industry during the 2023 Annual Meat Conference. In the three years since the last conference, our world has been completely disrupted by COVID-19. Every conversation at this […]
Posted inMerchandising News, National
Survey Finds Shoppers Expand Perception Of Value Beyond Price
The latest survey of grocery shoppers by FMI – The Food Industry Association for its “U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends 2023” series reveals that the meaning of “good value” is becoming more complex as consumers navigate grocery aisles. The analysis revealed several common considerations for how shoppers think about value, both for the food and beverages they buy […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Executive Offers Look At ‘What Is Next’ Across Protein Industry
Pork is a great option for protein during these inflationary times, according to Ozlem Worpel, VP of marketing, innovation and communication with Seaboard Foods. Shelby Publishing talked with Worpel at a recent trade show about what’s happening in the industry. Worpel said pork has not risen much in price due to inflation, with more increases […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Independents: Take Gen Z’s Fears About Grocery Prices To Heart
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA director, communications and external affairs Millennials and Generation Z’s are supplanting Gen X’ers and Boomers as the top spending consumers. So, it should be of great concern when young people say they’re afraid they won’t be able to pay for groceries, despite indications that food inflation is gradually easing. According […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National
Study Shows Candy, Snacks Considered Accessible Luxuries
Economic uncertainty, self-checkout lanes, omnichannel shopping and natural and organic trends are impacting the way consumers are purchasing and consuming snacks and candy, according to a recent survey from Acosta Group, conducted with its shopper community. But one thing is clear – shoppers view snacks and candy as accessible luxuries in their daily lives. “We wanted […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Report Finds Save A Lot Is Top Retailer For SNAP Customers
Dunnhumby has released a special report examining which U.S. grocery retailers are best positioned to win the loyalty of current and potential Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients and how retailers can limit grocery sales losses due to recently enacted SNAP reductions. “The SNAP Rollercoaster: A dunnhumby Special Report on Hunger” in the U.S. ranked Save-A-Lot, Food 4 Less and […]