Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Nonfood Items

Inspired Home Show 2026 Set For March 10-12 In Chicago

The Inspired Home Show 2026 will take place March 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, bringing together more than 2,000 brands and 300,000 products for North America’s largest home and housewares industry event. The show, organized annually by the Rosemont, Illinois-based International Housewares Association (IHA), will feature key retailers and brands from around the globe. Major […]

Posted inExecutive News, National, News, Snacks Brands

Rise Baking Co. Names McNeil As CEO

Rise Baking Co. has appointed Mark McNeil as CEO, succeeding Brian Zellmer, who led the Minneapolis-based manufacturer over the past five years. McNeil is a seasoned food and beverage executive with more than 30 years of cross-functional leadership experience across retail, foodservice and manufacturing. He most recently served as CEO of Shearer’s Foods, the largest […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast

Publix Opens New Store In Locust Grove, GA

Publix opened a new store Jan. 28 in the Shops at Indian Creek, 4518 Hwy 42 S. in Locust Grove, Georgia. The 48,387-square-foot store features traditional departments, including a full-service deli counter with a variety of meats and cheeses, an international selection of olives, antipastos, hummus and more than 200 artisan cheeses from the United […]

Posted inAssociation News, Independent Store News, National, News

NGA Recognizes Creative Choice Awards Winners At 2026 Show

The National Grocers Association honored the winners of its annual Creative Choice Awards at The NGA Show on Feb. 1 in Las Vegas, recognizing outstanding marketing and merchandising programs from independent grocery retailers across the country. Houchens Food Group received two national awards this year. The Bowling Green, Kentucky-based, 100-percent employee-owned company received the Unilever […]

Posted inAssociation News, Independent Store News, National, News

NGA Honors Hugo’s Magnuson Nelson With Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award

The National Grocers Association named Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president of Grand Forks, North Dakota-based Hugo’s Family Marketplace, as the 2026 recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. One of the most prestigious honors in the independent grocery industry, the award honors the legacy of Zaucha, NGA’s first president and CEO, whose career was […]

Real-Time Insight For Real Results: Giving Independent Grocers Control Over The Decisions That Drive Profit

Independent grocers operate in one of the most demanding areas of retail. Margins are tight, labor is unpredictable and vendor costs can change without warning. Yet many store leaders still rely on month-end reports or spreadsheets that arrive long after the moment to adjust has passed. That delay makes it harder to lead with confidence. […]

Ask The Experts: Ryan Draude, Giant Food

Ryan Draude has spent nearly 15 years building nationally-recognized loyalty programs at brands like Choice Hotels, RITE AID, and now Giant Food — where he currently serves as the head of loyalty.  But as cross-shopping, value-seeking behavior becomes the norm, earning loyalty from grocery shoppers is getting harder every day. We spoke with Ryan about […]