Lionel Messi goes grocery shopping

Small but mighty

Here at WGB we have a small but mighty team that I am proud to be a part of. This week we launched a special package on the importance of SNAP to the grocery industry. Be sure to check it out here.

OK, on to our regularly scheduled indie news.

Digital dominance debate

A Mercatus study published this week revealed that regional grocers will face a tougher fight online against Walmart.

The digital grocery solution provider detailed its findings on Wednesday in its report entitled Pricing’s Potential Roles for Improving Online Grocery Performance for Regional Grocers.

Will it be a tough fight? Probably. But then again, regional grocers are already prepared because of their ability to adapt and pivot quickly. It’s just that the battlefield is different: It’s not brick-and-mortar but digital. So, it will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially since regional grocers are more closely connected to their consumers.

One grocer among many leveling the playing field is Festival Foods, which recently adopted Upshop's AI tech as part of the Wisconsin-based indie’s growth plan.

Spirit of America Award winner announced

Congratulations to Paul DeMarco for being presented with The National Grocers Association’s prestigious Spirit of America Award. DeMarco was recognized on Tuesday for his ongoing commitment to the independent grocery industry.

DeMarco serves as general counsel to the Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) and is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

“Throughout his distinguished legal career and as a state legislator, Paul has always given his full support to Alabama’s grocery industry,” said Ellie Taylor, AGA president and CEO. “He exemplifies the zeal, the concern and the commitment that make our community and our country great.”

Grocery shopping, of course

What does the world’s greatest soccer player, idolized by billions, do like the rest of us mere mortals? Go grocery shopping, of course. Lionel Messi was spotted this week grocery shopping in a Publix in Florida. Local media reported that fans were delighted to see him pushing his cart through the aisles. Eagle-eyed fans spotted several boxes of cereal in his cart. I hope he selected a cart that had all four wheels working. But then again, if he had trouble pushing the broken cart, it wouldn't matter. It's not the pitch, as Ted Lasso fans would say.

Calling all beer lovers

Ohio-based indie grocer Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) is gearing up to host its first Local Craft Beer Show, featuring 20-plus breweries on site on Aug. 3 at the grocer’s Springboro, Ohio, location.

According to the grocer’s website: “Our goal is that every beer lover not only has a great time surrounded by a community of fellow enthusiasts, but will also find new favorites as well as those tried-and-true craft brews. From the hoppiest of IPAs to the darkest of barrel-aged stouts, we have a feeling that this event will soon be a favorite.”

Cheers!

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