The Shelby Report of the Midwest recently caught up with Jon McCormick, president and CEO of the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City, for the latest updates on the grocery industry in Kansas. How is the economy in the state? Unemployment is lower than the national average. That helps our independent retailers in […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocery Industry Navigates Expansion, Rural Challenges Across Kansas
The grocery landscape across Kansas tells two stories: one of aggressive growth in metropolitan corridors where national chains are planting flags and another of persistent struggle in rural communities where the independent store remains threatened by economics and changing demographics. Kansas State University’s Rural Grocery Initiative shared a post from KCUR News of an independent […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Shares Top Consumer Trends For 2026
Natural Grocers has released its annual Top Trends for Living Well in 2026, offering a forecast of emerging consumer behaviors and product interests that are expected to influence health, wellness, food and sustainability in the year ahead. The outlook reflects insights from the company’s Nutrition Education team along with its marketing and analytics professionals. Now […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Swiftly Survey Finds Most Shoppers Trust Local Grocers Over National Giants
A new consumer study released by retail technology provider Swiftly shows a strong trust advantage for neighborhood grocery stores over national competitors, suggesting a potential competitive edge for independent and regional grocers amid ongoing affordability pressures. The True Cost of a Grocery Shop 2025 survey, conducted online among more than 1,400 U.S. grocery shoppers, found […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Equitable Food Initiative Commemorates 10th Anniversary, Celebrates 2025 Achievements
Equitable Food Initiative – a workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers – marked a year of progress in 2025 during which it advanced responsible labor practices, strengthened industry collaboration and drove worker engagement throughout the fresh produce supply chain. EFI also celebrated its 10th year as an independent nonprofit with program […]
Posted inNews, CERTCO Inc., Executive News, Finance News, National
Certco President, CEO Becomes First Woman To Lead ROFDA Board
Amy Niemetscheck, president and CEO of Wisconsin-based Certco Inc., was recently named the first chairwomen of the Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates Board of Directors (ROFDA). “Taking on the role as the first female as chair of ROFDA at the Fall 2025 Conference was a tremendous honor,” Niemetscheck said. “It is a privilege to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Finance News, National, News
Acosta Group Releases 4 Consumer Predictions For 2026
Acosta Group has released its consumer predictions for 2026, highlighting the growing importance of personalization, transparency and innovation for brands, retailers and foodservice operators. The predictions are based on research conducted with the Jacksonville, Florida-based sales and marketing agency’s 40,000-member proprietary shopper community. “Technology and evolving consumer lifestyles continue to reshape the shopping experience, as […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Responds To FTC Complaint Alleging Preferential Pricing For Walmart
The National Grocers Association has issued a statement in response to a Federal Trade Commission complaint that alleges preferential pricing and promotional treatment for Walmart. The complaint, part of an FTC enforcement action filed in January, was unsealed Dec. 12 by a judge in response to a request by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, an […]