Jun 3, 2020
Help independent wineries take advantage of the COVID sales surge By Jim Dudlicek, NGA Director of Communications and External Affairs With most bars still closed due to the pandemic, grocers’ spirits are soaring – sales of spirits, that is. Beer and liquor, and especially wine, have been selling well as folks continue to shelter in…
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Jun 2, 2020
by Terence Huie, Manager, Grassroots and PAC Last Friday, NGA hosted a virtual town hall with Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) sponsored by the association’s Grocers PAC. NGA was pleased to welcome the Congressman for an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues with our members, including the AG CHAIN Act, the nation’s food supply chain,…
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May 29, 2020
By Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications NGA Announces Virtual Executive Conference in September Earlier this week, NGA announced it will host its annual leadership meeting virtually from 9/22-9/25. The decision was made in the interest of health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The new NGA Executive Conference will serve as NGA’s signature event going…
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May 27, 2020
By Jim Dudlicek, Director, Communications and External Affairs As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, some states are starting to ease restrictions, allowing businesses to reopen. As an essential business, supermarkets have remained open throughout the crisis, adapting operations on the fly to the dictates of social distancing and enhanced safety and sanitation procedures. Consumers are…
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May 21, 2020
Shellie Wood VP of Sales, KeHE Distributors I have had the pleasure of being a mentor for the student program for the past two years. I never imagined that this experience would be something I look so forward to each year. As a mentor, my role is one of support and guidance, as well as…
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May 19, 2020
Samantha McGrath Western Michigan University, Class of 2020 I am a graduate of Western Michigan University, with my BBA in food and consumer packaged goods marketing, and a three-time participant in NGA’s Student Case Study Competition, mentorship groups and WGA Fun Run, and a recipient of the generous Asparagus Club Scholarship. I entered college knowing…
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May 18, 2020
Ideas for boosting sales as shoppers warm back up to hot bars and shared spoons By Jim Dudlicek, Director of Communications and External Affairs The bright light that was grocery store prepared foods and in-store dining was suddenly extinguished by the COVID-19 pandemic, and only time will tell if and when it will be relit.…
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May 15, 2020
By Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications FMS Solutions to Acquire UNFI’s Retail Accounting Services Division This morning, FMS Solutions, Inc. (FMS) announced it has entered an agreement with United Natural Foods, Inc. to acquire (UNFI)’s Retail Accounting Services Division. The transaction is expected to be completed by June 6. The move will help independent…
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May 11, 2020
Leadership, communication essential to serving shoppers in a crisis By Jim Dudlicek, Director, Communications and External Affairs The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of ecommerce, making strides in five weeks that the industry thought would take five years. During these challenging times, as grocers of all sizes are working around the clock to meet…
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May 4, 2020
By: Alison Bodor, AFFI President and CEO The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and 210 Analytics have partnered to provide weekly frozen food sales data at retail. While we know based on our weekly reports that frozen food sales at retail have seen a surge amid COVID-19, we wanted to dive deeper into consumer purchasing…
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May 1, 2020
By: Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications COVID-19 is changing the grocery industry with social distancing in stores, employees and customers wearing protective masks and gloves, and products such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer flying off the shelves. Through these changes, grocers are stepping up to the plate, creating innovative ways to keep customers…
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Apr 27, 2020
By NGA Nutrition Consultant, Shari Steinbach, MS, RDN According to recent consumer data from NPD, Americans continue to eat in at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, which has led to a sharp increase in meals made at home of about 7%, over 500 million meals per week nationally, or 4-5 meals per household per week.…
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Apr 25, 2020
By Jim Dudlicek, Director, Communications and External Affairs As an essential business, grocers have experienced a surge in sales during the coronavirus crisis despite restrictions imposed on other retailers. But while sales of food, cleaning products and paper goods are soaring, floral products are taking a lower priority, even with the looming Mother’s Day holiday.…
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Apr 20, 2020
*Sponsored Content* By: Tallen Birmingham, Sales Executive, Triple T Transport, Inc. During the last week of February, I was sitting amongst my peers from the logistics industry listening to Bob Costello, Chief Economist for the American Trucking Association, give his annual economic update. As Costello reeled off his prognostications for 2020, I, like many in…
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Apr 17, 2020
COVID-19 pandemic brings out the best in store operators and suppliers Independent grocers are showing strength, resilience and creativity during this unprecedented time in history, ensuring access to food and other essential goods in a period of soaring demand that’s testing the limits of the nation’s supply chain. Examples of independent grocers stepping up for…
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Apr 10, 2020
By: Anne-Marie Roerink, President, 210 Analytics Produce sales rose along with consumer anxiety levels. IRI found that 58% of consumers were extremely concerned about COVID-19 the week of March 22, up from 38% the prior week. 210 Analytics, IRI and PMA partnered up to understand the effect for produce. Produce continuing to move at unprecedented…
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Apr 10, 2020
By: NGA Nutrition Consultant, Annette Maggi, MS, RDN, LD, FAND Stay at Home orders implemented across the country are essential in the fight against the coronavirus crisis. They’ve also created a dramatic shift in where and how consumers prepare and consume meals. All students, including college ones, are at home. Parents are working remotely. While…
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Apr 8, 2020
By: Anne-Marie Roerink, President, 210 Analytics LLC The past few weeks have seen incredible spikes in grocery sales as the nation hunkered down amid the growing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. According to IRI, meat has been the leading sales driver for the perimeter, up by 91% for the week ending March 22, with volume…
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Mar 31, 2020
By Paul Adams Adams & Associates The outbreak of Coronavirus disease [COVID-19] may be stressful for many, especially for those who must work frequently in the public arena. Fear and anxiety about a major disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Everyone reacts differently to this kind of situation. How a person responds can…
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Mar 30, 2020
By Greg Ferrara NGA President & CEO Almost overnight, independent supermarkets found themselves facing an unprecedented demand, driven by panic surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. As shelves were emptied, retailers and wholesalers began what has been nothing less than heroic efforts to restock and replenish shelves, stretching the supply chain to its limits, not for a…
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