Sales tax collections and metro population totals both have been up in Arkansas over the past year, according to Steve Goode, executive director of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association in Little Rock. “The overall economy is doing slightly better than a year ago,” he said. Sales tax collections are up by 1.8 percent […]
Category: Harps Food Stores
Harps, a cherished grocery chain, has been a cornerstone of communities in the Midwest and South since its inception. Founded in 1930 in Springdale, Arkansas, the brand has established itself as a trusted destination for quality products and personalized service. With over 100 locations across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, Harps remains dedicated to providing customers with fresh, locally sourced produce and a diverse selection of grocery items.
In addition to its commitment to quality, Harps distinguishes itself through its forward-thinking approach to future growth and expansion. With a keen eye on the evolving needs of customers and the ever-changing retail landscape, Harps is strategically planning for the future. The company is actively exploring opportunities to expand its footprint, enhance its product offerings, and introduce innovative solutions to better serve its communities. By prioritizing growth and adaptation, Harps ensures that it remains a vital part of the neighborhoods it serves for generations to come.
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, Harps Food Stores, National
Independent Grocers Must Always Keep Looking Forward
NGA’s slogan is “At the heart of the community,” reflecting the important position that independent grocery stores have in so many communities around the country. I’d go out on a limb and suggest a secondary tagline, “Always looking forward,” because a significant part of NGA’s mission is to help its members prepare for whatever lies […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Appoints Tackett, Taylor To Key Leadership Roles
Harps Food Stores Inc. has announced strategic leadership changes with the appointments of Jim Bob Tackett as the new VP of store systems and John Taylor as the new member of the executive committee. These appointments were made following the retirement of Mike Thurow, who served as the SVP of store systems and CIO for […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, Health & Wellness, Northeast, ShopRite, Wakefern
Grocery TV Expands In-Store Retail Media Network In ShopRite Pharmacy
Grocery TV has expanded its in-store retail media network into pharmacies, providing brands and retailers with another touchpoint to engage shoppers and provide valuable health-related information to pharmacy customers during their store visit. Grocery TV’s in-store digital pharmacy solution has been rolled out with a number of the retailers in its network, including ShopRite Pharmacy, […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Executive News, Independent Store News, Southwest
Former Harps Food Stores Chairman, CEO Collins Dies At 75
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores has announced the July 1 death of its former Chairman and CEO Roger Collins. He began his career at Harps in December 1986, serving as VP of finance. From his initial role, Collins quickly became an integral part of shaping the future of Harps Food Stores. Under his guidance, the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, Southeast
ECRS Introduces EBT Chip, Tap Technology For Retailers
Recognizing the need for enhanced security measures, ECRS has spearheaded the transition to chip and tap technology for EBT payments. Through collaboration with industry experts, ECRS’ E-Payments team has implemented support for the new SNAP EBT chip cards, allowing payment acceptance to retailers running ECRS’s CATAPULT Retail POS software. This initiative not only demonstrates ECRS’s […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, National, Online Grocery Technology
ECRS, Birdzi Partner On API Integration With Harps Food Stores
Birdzi has begun an API integration with ECRS, alongside their joint customer Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores. Grocers that utilize Birdzi’s and ECRS’ integration, such as Harps Food Stores, can enable their customers to redeem digital coupons, loyalty rewards and Birdzi’s VISPER offers in real time as they shop. Since its founding, Birdzi has worked with its retail […]
Posted inAssociation News, Harps Food Stores, National
NGA Focuses On Fresh For Independent Grocers At Ops Summit
Fresh departments in supermarkets were in the spotlight for nearly 100 operations-focused grocery leaders attending the National Grocers Association’s 2024 Store Operations Summit: Focus on Fresh, held June 17-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Attendees found the summit to be a worthwhile experience. “Fresh is a priority for independent grocers, and the content presented during NGA’s […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Grocery TV Helping Harps Roll Out Retail Media Network
Through a partnership with Grocery TV, Harps Food Stores is expanding its retail media network to 145 of its stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Harps will leverage Grocery TV’s end-to-end in-store retail media solution to engage shoppers with digital displays. In addition, the grocer will use Grocery TV’s Content Management System […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award Goes To Kim Eskew Of Harps
Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores, is this year’s recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the National Grocers Association. The award, sponsored by Mondelēz International Inc., is presented annually to an independent retailer who demonstrates persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship. Eskew is committed to building a strong […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Retailer of the Year, Southwest
Harps’ Culture Sparks Further Growth With Recent Acquisitions
Harps Food Stores had “a bunch of irons in the fire in 2023,” according to Chairman and CEO Kim Eskew. Those “irons” are among the reasons the Springdale, Arkansas-based company has been named The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s 2023 Retailer of the Year. Harps added 34 net new locations and moved into two additional […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Elevates Creek, Taylor To VP Roles
Harps Food Stores has appointed Debbie Creek as VP of finance and John Taylor as VP of information systems, moves that follow the retirement of Jim Antz, who had served as the SVP of finance and CFO for 37 years. Creek joined Harps in 2006 as controller and played a role in overseeing day-to-day financial […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Opening Nears For Harps Foods Store In Brookland, AR
Harps Food Stores will hold a grand opening Jan. 17 for its new store at 8107 U.S. Highway 49 in Brookland, Arkansas. The 32,000-square-foot location will feature a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with Harps’ Black Angus beef, all natural pork and poultry, deli and signature bakery products, as well as grocery, health […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Produce News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores To Carry Wild About Sprouts Products
Rä Foods’ Wild About Sprouts brand is continuing its national expansion through a distribution agreement with Harps Food Stores. Wild About Sprouts products come in six varieties – alfalfa, broccoli, clover, clover and alfalfa, clover and broccoli and alfalfa, broccoli and kale. The company’s patented COLD-GROWN process and “out-of-the-box” packaging provide flavor, freshness and safety. […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Festival Foods, Independent Store News, Online Grocery Technology, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Optimize Operations With Upshop
Harps Food Stores has partnered with Upshop, a provider of inventory and replenishment optimization solutions, to improve its operational efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. The Springdale, Arkansas-based grocer chose Upshop’s Magic product to address challenges such as monitoring and managing store conditions, generating orders and ensuring product availability. Upshop’s Magic offers a suite of capabilities, […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Executive News, Independent Store News, Midwest
Harps Food Stores Promotes Breshears, Lee
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores Inc. has promoted two executives, Dakota Breshears and Travis Lee, to new positions. Breshears has been promoted to VP of meat and seafood. Breshears’ journey with Harps began in 2004, when he joined the team in Springdale. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, he joined the Harps’ manager […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Acquires Janise’s Supermarket
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Janise’s Supermarket, a local grocery store at 147 Oak Tree Park Drive in Sunset, Louisiana. Janise’s Supermarket has been a cornerstone of the Sunset community for more than 40 years, known for its friendly atmosphere, personalized customer service and a diverse […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Plans Grand Opening Of Newly Remodeled Morrilton Store
Harps Food Stores Inc. will host the grand opening of its newly remodeled store at 10 a.m. May 17 at 1626 E. Harding St. in Morrilton, Arkansas. The store, formerly Kroger, has undergone an extensive renovation that has updated its interior. This remodel was a significant investment in the store’s future, and is the result […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Acquires Beachler’s Hometown Market
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Beachler’s Hometown Market, an independent grocery retailer at 1000 West Main St. in Prague, Oklahoma. Beachler’s has been in Prague for more than 45 years. Harps plans to continue to operate as a community-focused grocer, as well as retain the current […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps To Hold Grand Opening Of Remodeled Store In Jay, OK
Harps Food Stores has announced the grand opening of its remodeled store at 1107 South Main St. in Jay, Oklahoma. The celebration will be held at 10 a.m. on March 22. The store, formerly a Walmart, has undergone an extensive interior renovation. The remodel is a significant investment in the store’s future, and it is the result […]