FMI - OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

When I started with FMI in 2014, one of the first goals I had was to move the industry from using the term “private label” to “private brand.” With the momentum, innovation and awareness the private brand industry was receiving, it felt like an imperative to start recognizing these programs for what they truly were—brand builders. Over the last couple of years, we have measured this goal in our Power of Private Brands: From the Industry research report and I’m happy to see the needle is moving. Over 80 percent of the food retail industry now recognizes their program as a brand, whether that be a store brand, own brand or private brand.

“The Digitally Engaged Food Shopper” report spells out six significant digital imperatives that the industry must deal with to achieve its goal of a seamless and profitable omnichannel model. The imperatives range from “getting the right people in place in unduplicated organizational structures” to “fixing inaccurate master data” and “improving marketing and promotions.”

Have you ever wondered if you shop like your generation? You may find you identify with some their shopping habits, but not every shopper aspect.

What do Coborn’s grocery stores and American Heart Association’s (AHA) Healthy For Good ™ program have in common? Both are National Family Meals Month 2017 Gold Plate Award winners!

At Natural Products Expo East last week, it was a pleasure to meet inspiring innovators and entrepreneurs that are raising the bar at food retail today.