Category Archives: Columns
On Point: Quality will tell
A strong private label program is its own reward. By Tom Weir An important trend in the industry over the past decade or more … Continue reading
Food Forum: The future of payments
Are retailers ready for the next generation of payment processing technologies? By Paul Cwalina As consumers change their spending habits, they expect merchants to … Continue reading
Food Forum: The supply chain of the future
Supermarket supply chains have been reconfigured time and time again. What will the next generation supply chain look like? By Jim Ritchie Supermarket supply … Continue reading
Food Forum: Time to rethink center store
Grocers have done a great job attracting shoppers to the perimeter departments. Now they need to apply that expertise to the center store. By … Continue reading
Nonfoods Talk: Sweet smell of success?
Unilever has introduced a product that company officials hope will bring new sales to the deodorant category. Can it drum up interest in a … Continue reading
An Independent Voice: Change can do you good
Guided by new leadership, this year’s NGA Convention featured spirited discussions of health care, politics, energy and other challenges facing today’s independent grocers. By … Continue reading
Food Forum: Media matters
By Timothy P. McMahon, Ph.D. Generation Y, a segment of the population born between 1977 and 1994, encompasses 80 million consumers with more than … Continue reading
From the Publisher: Small is big
As other retailers shrink their stores, does it make sense for supermarkets to follow suit? By Seth Mendelson Suddenly big is bad. At least … Continue reading
Sounding Board: The eyes have it
What can retailers learn by literally looking through the eyes of their customers? By Len Lewis If you are in the supermarket one day … Continue reading
Nonfoods Talk: Writing the next chapter
What lessons can supermarkets glean from the fall of Borders? By Seth Mendelson What’s the book on Borders? As has been well documented in … Continue reading
Sounding Board: Who shall lead?
The recent medical leave of Apple’s founder Steve Jobs pushes succession planning to the forefront. By Len Lewis I like to think that companies … Continue reading
Nonfoods Talk: Feeling the power
Rather than go the way of photo/film, the batteries category is re-inventing itself as consumer needs change. by Seth Mendelson The retail industry can … Continue reading
An Independent Voice: Barking up the right tree
Some independents are giving pet owners a treat by creating outstanding pet sets that go beyond the traditional offerings. By Jane Olszeski Tortola During … Continue reading
Food Forum: Flower power
New varieties of orchids are easier to grow and can fit into any budget. By P. Allen Smith Over the past several years, floral … Continue reading
On Point: Here today, gone tomorrow
Could your brand end up on the auction block? By Tom Weir As 2010 was drawing to a close, a group of people gathered … Continue reading
Wellness Forum: How men shop
By Cary Silvers Many retailers know that their success is determined by their ability to be ahead of the curve on trends and consumer … Continue reading
Equipment Forum: Cold, hard profits
An automatic ice bagging system creates an in-store ice plant and greater opportunities for retailers. By Harry Starkweather At a time when margins are … Continue reading
An Independent Voice: Charity begins close to home
From cancer centers to marching band uniforms, independents find creative and meaningful ways to support their communities. By Jane Olszeski Tortola When visiting Coborn’s … Continue reading
Food Forum: Producing for a cause
The upcoming Produce for Kids spring promotion will benefit local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. By Heidi McIntyre Produce for Kids, a cause marketing organization … Continue reading
From the Publisher: Standing at the top
Coborn’s has a well-earned reputation for great service, a strong product assortment and community service, making it a logical choice for the 2011 Grocery … Continue reading
Sounding Board: Time to build
While the economy has some retailers stuck in survival mode, many of America’s top companies were conceived in tough times. By Len Lewis Time … Continue reading
Nonfoods Talk: Reshuffling the cards
The social expression department was once the star of the nonfoods category. Its current struggles at supermarkets highlight the problems of all GM/HBC segments. … Continue reading
Food Forum: Retail convergence
While more consumers are shopping and comparing prices online, the store is still relevant. Mike Webster Retailers are experiencing an unprecedented rate of market … Continue reading
An Independent Voice: The best year ever
Four independent grocers share their plans for 2011 and beyond. By Jane Olszeski Tortola Mark Batenic, Juvenal Chavez, Bill Orr and Rick Geyer are … Continue reading
On point: Attitude adjustment
What is critical about hard times is how you approach them. By Tom Weir For the past couple of years we have all been … Continue reading
