My column this month will be in two parts, somewhat unrelated but as always, anything that affects our business is a part of us. A couple of years ago I wrote a column about an incident that happened one Sunday on the way home after church. We stopped at a supermarket to pick up a […]
Tag: column
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
Of Fiscal Conservatism
It is time for those who are truly proud to be an American to take back our country from those who have betrayed us. There has never been an election in my lifetime that was any clearer than the one coming up in 2012. Let’s stay prayed up for America before it is too late […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
12 Members of Congress Who Could Have a Profound Impact
Back in early August, right before members of Congress hightailed it back to their districts for the August recess period, the Administration and Congress finally came to an agreement at the 11th hour to raise the nation’s debt limit. A major part of that agreement was the creation of a new 12-member “super committee”—formally known […]
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
Bat .501 and Keep Your Eye on the Ball
Did you ever have something happen that you thought was just, well, awful, but then later it turns into a point of pride, something you’re sure to share with your as-yet unborn grandchildren? Happens all the time. One day you can’t quite get your bearings. The next you’re on top of the world. Getting from […]
Posted in, Another Side, Southwest
Why the US Beef Ban in Japan and China? Blame the World Order
COLORADO—If you were Japan or China, would you rather take your chances with mad cow disease, or meltdown and arguably the worst air pollution in the world?
Posted in, California Perspective, West
Redistricting Creates New Problems
For the first time, California’s once-a-decade reapportionment process is being undertaken by an independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission. The Commission, created in 2008 by voter-approved Proposition 11, is a 14-member panel charged with redrawing California State Assembly, Senate, Board of Equalization and Congressional districts to reflect population changes noted in the 2010 U.S. Census. In prior […]
Posted in, Another Side, National
Cash and Cart Thieves Prove Stupidity Knows No Boundaries
Theft has no boundaries, and though the venues vary, the absence of common sense does not, either.
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
If Your Friends Jumped Off a Cliff…
My husband and I just returned from an indescribably terrific trip to Salem, Mo. We were there for his 30th high school reunion. We’d made it for the 20th, and were excited about seeing everyone again. A half-dozen of us went “floating,” or canoeing on the Current River the Friday before the reunion. It was […]
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
It Can Be Done & Here Is the Proof
It almost makes me ill to see the lack of attention given to this most important part of today’s retail operations called Customer Service, which many have turned into Customer-No-Service
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
Wal-Mart vs. Dukes: Giving Us Something to Talk About
People are talking about Wal-Mart Stores Inc. v. Dukes, probably more so because the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Wal-Mart’s favor.
Posted in, From the Editor, National
To Reach Young Shoppers, Go to Their Fingertips
How many more brick-and-mortar stores do we really need? Not many more, according to Dan O’Connor, president and CEO of RetailNet Group
Posted in, California Perspective, Guest Contributors, West
Banning the Bag: The Sequel Coming to a Store Near You
Every summer you can bet on two things coming from California: A blockbuster story hitting the movie screen and blockbuster legislation. Last year’s story was Assembly Bill 1998, a statewide bill to ban plastic bags and require a charge for paper bags. Grocers made the difficult decision to support the bill because we knew that […]
Posted in, Another Side, Midwest
Sunflower, Show-Me States Celebrate Native Sons
KANSAS/MISSOURI—Last month two favorite sons from these neighboring states were honored: One whose likeness is on the latest U.S. postal stamp, the other who has made an indelible stamp on the political landscape of America.
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Grocers Take Notice: U.S. DOL Focuses on Supermarket Industry
Hilda Solis, secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), famously proclaimed at the beginning of her term that “there is a new sheriff at the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business.” The department has significantly increased its enforcement action in a number of areas, including OSHA and […]
Posted in, Another Side, Southwest
Government on All Levels Add Burdens to Business
ON THE BORDER—With both the White House and FMI addressing the quest to erase “food deserts” around our country, there has been substantial press on the subject. The reference is to rural, or even urban areas, where there is an insufficient supply of supermarkets or grocers to serve the community with healthy, nutritious food. A […]
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
Just a Reminder
How are your competitors doing? Check them out; you may be on top of most of the competition but not all
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
Future Connect Hit All the Right Notes
Future Connect is all about leadership. The best and the brightest of the food industry get to attend because the people back home believe in their potential. FMI and the sponsors of the event brought some of the most inspiring speakers of our time to teach these future leaders.
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Are You Prepared?
The month of June marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters are predicting a busy season, but hurricanes are only one of many events that can impact retail and wholesale operations. As we’ve seen earlier this year disaster can strike at any given moment. The devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan literally […]
Posted in, Another Side, Southeast
Homeless Man Stays Afloat With His Trusty Canine
No city in America has a monopoly on the homeless, but Seattle has one of the most unique. Although his name and “address” were identified in the local newspaper, we will call him Thirteen Moons and his dog Waverley, for his dog is indeed his best friend. A wolf and husky mix, the canine doesn’t […]
Posted in, From the Editor, Southeast
Chain’s Outreach to Core Customers Pays Off
It is a marketing truth that it requires a higher level of investment, as well as more effort, to attract a new customer than to keep one you already have. A direct marketing test run by South Carolina’s BI-LO supermarket chain earlier this year again proves that investing money to engage, excite and show you […]