Jan 6, 2025
By Craig Rosenblum, Principal, Columbus Consulting What 2024 has taught us and what grocers should be focused on in the New Year 2024 has certainly been an incredible year, and while many uncertainties remain, it has taught us several valuable lessons. Omni-channel Evolution: The retail landscape has transformed as eCommerce continues to see year-over-year growth,…
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Dec 16, 2024
By Dana Lawnzak / Director, Food Chain Outreach, American Egg Board The holiday season is here, and with it comes the beloved tradition of holiday baking. This season, baking becomes more than just creating a treat – it’s a cherished way for families and friends to bond, share traditions and make memories. At the heart…
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Dec 5, 2024
Dave Wargo, Associate Partner Columbus Consulting Master data serves as the backbone of efficient operations in the grocery industry. Accurate and comprehensive master data is essential for operational excellence, reliable analytics, enhanced customer satisfaction, and maintaining competitiveness. Key elements include detailed product attributes, a structured hierarchy, status flags, and strong data governance. Product Attributes Grocery…
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Nov 25, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist Are you a bonfire master? It’s the most important position in retail, according to store design guru Kevin Kelley – that someone in charge of creating an experience that is neither too small to compel attention nor too big to scare people away, and the…
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Nov 21, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist Food traceability can lead to critical advantages for independent grocery retailers and wholesalers, now and in the future. A recent webinar hosted by the National Grocers Association explored why traceability is becoming essential for independent grocers, from complying with regulatory standards to enhancing food safety…
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Nov 20, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist Put a few hundred independent grocery leaders in a room for three days, and some keen insights into the business are bound to emerge. That’s exactly what happened during the National Grocers Association’s annual Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, held Oct. 28-30 at the…
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Nov 20, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist One of the most challenging aspects of food safety is knowing when to exclude or restrict sick employees, and when to allow them to return to work. The Employee Health Policy Tool from FDA is designed for both managers and employees to help navigate decisions…
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Nov 18, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist For grocers and their customers, the past year was defined by the cumulative impact of many months of inflation. Independent grocers continued to meet the challenging marketplace realities with creativity and nimbleness. Many independent operators made changes to their sales and operational strategies — focusing…
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Oct 24, 2024
By Craig Rosenblum, Principal, Columbus Consulting According to a report by Gartner, more than one-third of CEOs anticipate that GenAI will lead to a productivity increase of over 15% in their companies within the next two years. With this forecast in mind, it’s essential to clarify the ambiguous terminology surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning…
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Oct 14, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist Independent grocers hold an enviable position in the marketplace. They typically have an edge over their national chain and big-box competitors when it comes to quality, service, specialty offerings and bringing a personal touch to the shopping experience. As the heart of their communities, independents…
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Oct 7, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist Traditional pricing methods are often manual and disjointed, making independent grocery pricing, merchandising and category leaders feel like they’re failing to keep up with market demands. In a recent webinar hosted by Bungee Tech and the National Grocers Association, experts explained how the right data…
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Oct 3, 2024
By Krystie Wiese, Associate Partner, Columbus Consulting In this latest installment of The Columbus Consulting Tech Scan, our grocery expert, Krystie Wiese, explores three emerging trends that are shaping current technology investments for grocers. The grocery industry is rapidly evolving as consumer behavior shifts and technology advances. To stay competitive, grocery retailers are embracing innovative…
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Oct 1, 2024
Networking, Inspiration, and Leadership Development Key Components of Successful Event The latest gathering of leaders in the independent grocery industry occurred in Austin, Texas from September 17-18 with the Women Grocers of America (WGA) Symposium. The event was a blend of sessions focused on leadership development and inspirational stories, with additional opportunities for networking. The…
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Sep 30, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, a reminder of the opportunities that independent grocers have all year long to make better connections with the diverse communities they serve. “It’s important to ensure consumers are seen, heard and understood,” Michelle Mendoza, VP of marketing and customer experience…
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Sep 26, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist One of the most common misconceptions about smart carts is that they only serve as an alternative to self-checkout. But many grocery customers like the ability to keep an eye on their running total, instantly access coupons and loyalty programs, earn discounts and shop independently.…
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Sep 23, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist NGA’s Creative Choice Awards have long been a showcase for the innovation and ingenuity of independent grocers in their ability to engage their customers and the broader community. To be sure, retailers over the years have excelled with their creative marketing and merchandising endeavors, leveraging…
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Sep 12, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist The Beatles got by with a little help from their friends – why shouldn’t you? It’s no secret that independent grocers have their hands full. Owner-operators routinely ply both front and back of house, taking on multiple responsibilities to ensure things run smoothly. With so…
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Sep 11, 2024
By RF Buche With so many voices competing for attention on the issues of the day, it’s easy to understand why some folks feel they’re not being heard. But by sticking together, independent grocers are not only being heard, they’re making progress toward bringing about the kind of change that will help not only our…
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Sep 4, 2024
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA Managing Editor and Content Strategist The business community is anxiously watching this election year unfold, and independent grocers are no exception. The rollercoaster race for the White House has transformed from a 2020 rematch to a showdown between former President Trump and current VP Kamala Harris, who could become the…
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Sep 4, 2024
By Craig Rosenblum, Principal, Columbus Consulting The magnitude of investments in running Grocery retail is never-ending and growing in today’s uber-competitive omnichannel environment. Due to this, it is more important than ever for Retailers to ensure they make the right technology decisions to compete and thrive to best serve their customers. Recognizing the limited amount…
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