NGA Releases Results of Independent Grocers Economic Impact Study

The National Grocers Association (NGA) released the results of a study on the impact of independent grocers on America's economy. This groundbreaking research provides a clear picture of the key role independent grocers play at the national, state, and congressional district level.

 

The research was conducted by John Dunham and Associates, an economic and government relations research firm based out of New York. The report provides information independent grocers and wholesalers sales, jobs created, wages paid, and federal and state taxes paid. The study also measures the indirect impact and ripple effect of the independent channel on other industries. 

 Significant takeaways of the report include:

• 20,884 stores are operated by independent supermarket companies in every congressional district of the United States.
• Independent grocers are responsible for $129.5 billion in annual sales.
• Independent grocers employ 944,200 people, and pay over $30 billion in wages each year.
• An additional 569,380 jobs are created through re-spending of those wages or companies which support the supermarket industry.
• Independent supermarkets and their employees contribute $13.25 billion in taxes to the federal government, which is 1.73% of the total taxes collected at the federal level.
• An additional $13.98 billion in taxes are paid by the industry at the state and local level.

 

In total, independent grocers account for close to 1% of the total US economy, as determined by GDP.  NGA will use the study to spread the message to suppliers, partners in the industry, and on Capitol Hill that independent grocers are an important part of our nation's economy and that their issues should be heard.

 

To view the full results of the study, including national, state, and congressional district results as well as methodology, visit www.GrocersImpactAmerica.com

How To Embrace Show Rooming

Show rooming is a term used when consumers browse the items at a brick-and-mortar store then compare prices online.  With the ever increasing usage of smart phones, consumers are utilizing comparison shopping apps to search for the best price.  Unless brick-and-mortar retailers can compete with online prices for the same product, they will lose the sale.  This trend of savvy consumers’ use of the traditional retailers as their showroom to touch and feel a product is only going to increase.  The dilemma for retailers is whether to combat this trend or find the way to take advantage of the technology.  It is impossible and unwise trying to prevent shoppers from using technology.  Therefore, the best way to combat show rooming is to embrace this trend by taking advantage of it.

 

Retailers should bring the best of online shopping into the store and can do this by providing shoppers with intera  Retailers should also embrace omni channel, which means creating a seamless experience across all store channels and touch points.  This method makes the web, mobile and in-store experience congruent for shoppers.  The use of these technologies can empower the store personnel and be a powerful sales tool by employees.  Some suggest that face-to-face customer approach can create a forced-selling feeling, while the shoulder-to-shoulder approach with these technologies could foster a collaborative effort, as if the staff is helping the customers buy.

 

Retailers should embrace the trend of show rooming to help reduce perceived wait time, increase engagement throughout the sales process, and empower customers to make quicker, better informed decisions. 

Datalogic Gryphon General Purpose Handheld

The Gryphon™ series represents the premium line of Datalogic ADC’s general purpose handheld data collection products and offers the richest feature set among
the general purpose products.  Featuring Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, the Gryphon GBT4100 readers eliminate the need for cables that limit operator movement and create safety concerns in the workplace.  The reader can also transmit data to the host through its base station as well as to any commercial or embedded Bluetooth® v2.0 compliant device. Datalogic’s unique 2-position cradle provides multiple features for the user.  When in the ‘up’ position, this imager can be used as a hands-free or presentation style reader. 

With the Scan-While-Charging feature, there is never any concern about depleted or dead batteries, ensuring constant up-time for increased productivity.

 

The Gryphon GBT4100 reader’s batch mode capability allows more than 1200 bar codes to be stored in the memory.  Combined with a 33,000 scans per charge Lithium-Ion battery, these two features create unlimited mobility and reliable data collection when out-of-range.

 

Datalogic’s exclusive patented ‘Green Spot’ for good-read feedback helps to improve productivity in noisy environments or in situations where silence is required.  When using the product with the cradle at a 45° position, the Green Spot can work as an aiming system to aid in positioning the bar code for quick and intuitive reading.  Standard multi-interface capabilities include USB, RS-232, Keyboard Wedge and Wand Emulation for the GBT4130 models.  IBM interface models include IBM 46XX, USB and RS-232 Emulation for the GBT4110 models.

 

Reprinted from the Datalogic ADC Web