Doug Stephens

Independent Grocers Look to Gain Ground

February 17, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
The National Grocers Association held its annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas last week and attracted 20 percent more attendees than 2009, providing insight into the current state of the independent segment of the supermarket industry.... What do independent supermarket operators and their wholesale partners need from their trade association?      [more...]

The landscape in American retail (including grocery) is changing vastly and will continue to do so over the next 10-20 years. America has never been so niche and sub-segmented. There is simply no longer such a thing as an "average American consumer."

There are unprecedented demographic, social, environmental and technological changes taking place. Many of these changes actually represent enormous opportunity for the independent merchant but unfortunately they aren't being brought to the fore. I personally talk to independents each week who are completely in the dark with respect to what's happening and how it may affect their business.

I feel that trade associations and wholesalers in general need to focus less on operational minutia (the safe stuff) and more on the powerful forces driving change in the market (the scary stuff).

They need to first get their own heads around these important market phenomenon and then educate their members and customers, bringing them along into the future.

In my opinion, making sense of the future is ultimately the best value a trade group can bring their members.