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  • July 16, 2020 2:42 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    Two new grant programs totaling $50 million aim to help Missouri businesses amid the coronavirus. A $30 million program for small business upgrades and $20 million worth of grants for producing personal protective equipment are both funded by the federal CARES Act. You can learn more HERE.

  • July 09, 2020 3:41 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    Sheltering in place. Social distancing. Face mask required.

    With COVID-19 affecting virtually every aspect of our lives, changing the way we shop for groceries is no different. Status quo and conventional wisdom have gone out the window, replaced by a new normal of “contactless pickup,” “one-way store aisles” and other necessary measures. As customers adapt to a new way of shopping, grocers and retailers must also adapt.

    Pre-COVID 19, convenience already was highly valued by consumers and that has only increased exponentially in quarantine.

    Instacart, Walmart Grocery and Shipt have seen their daily downloads surge by 218 percent, 160 percent and 124 percent, respectively.1

    Making changes to boost customer traffic in grocery stores will require flexibility, nimbleness and creativity.

    Restaurants have done a good job of creating appealing and convenient offerings to diners in the wake of restaurants being shuttered. Real world examples include offering more “grab and go” offerings, selling raw beef and pork in takeout kits and introducing alcohol delivery.

    How can grocery stores continue to generate more traffic and increase beef and pork sales during quarantine?

    Here are a few ideas:

    • Stock more ready-made and convenient to-go options in your meat case. Yes, people are sheltering in place, but they’re still busy. Providing protein rich, delicious meal options that can be prepared quickly will always be popular with shoppers whether they’re buying for one or a family of five.
    • Offer special discounts on beef and pork. Unemployment is high and a large chunk of the population is struggling to make ends meet. And even if they aren’t, everyone loves a discount, a BOGO or a giveaway.
    • Start offering home delivery or online shopping with contactless pickup – if you already offer it, waive or slash your usual fee to remove a barrier to customers trying it for the first time.
    • Leverage your social media platforms to share quick and easy beef and pork recipes. People have time in quarantine to try new dishes but don’t necessarily want to attempt anything super complicated. With the arrival of summer, recipes that focus on grilling out are always a big hit.
    • Offer meal kits with pre-marinated meats that skew toward international cuisines. Quarantine is a good time for people to try new things and encouraging experimentation is another way to increase foot traffic.

    And here are a few general grocery store suggestions not specifically related to fresh meats:

    • Reassure customers by posting signs outlining the steps taken to ensure their safety, such as additional deep cleanings of the store.
    • Be even more friendly than usual – in an age of social distancing, simply greeting customers (at a safe distance, of course) can go a long way.
    • Create special hours first thing in the morning for elderly or high-risk shoppers to shop before the general public is allowed in.
    • Partner with “quarantine friendly” companies such as Redbox to offer coupons for free movie rentals.

    Whatever you decide to do to try and boost traffic, just be sure you do something. Daily life post-COVID 19 will be completely reshaped and changed by this virus. Taking steps to position your business to succeed is crucial to the future of your store. Now is not the time to “ride out the storm.” It’s time to be proactive, creative and inventive.


  • July 09, 2020 3:39 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    The Missouri Grocers Association is committed to serving and representing the health and wellness of our members. In the times that we live in today, it is important that our organization rallies around and supports the grocery industry as we continue to serve our communities in these unprecedented times. It is for that reason, that I am proud to announce the launch of the MGA’s Affinity Health Insurance Plan.

    The MGA’s Affinity Health Insurance Plan provides members with a cost-effective way to purchase health insurance for their employees. This plan is designed to give employers the opportunity to provide a great employee benefits package at rates that are lower than they would be on the open market. This option for members will provide our industry with another tool to take care of our employees and lower costs during these challenging times.

    For more information on the program, CLICK HERE.

    QUESTIONS? LEARN MORE

    James Nevins at (417) 228-3565 or email james@nevont.com

  • July 09, 2020 3:38 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    Unemployment dipped in June, as businesses reopened following months of pandemic-related shutdowns. Payrolls rose by 4.8 million last month and the unemployment rate fell to 11.1% from 13.3% in May. Despite the good news, economists are worried that skyrocketing coronavirus cases will eliminate recent job gains as several states reverse their reopening plans.

  • July 09, 2020 3:37 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    As e-commerce continues to boom, so does online impulse buying, a new survey reveals. The research from Magid showed the top impulse buys were snack foods and ice cream or frozen treats, with shoppers saying they were more likely to repeat the purchases if they were offered special deals or a "buy again" option while shopping online. You can read the full story HERE.

  • July 09, 2020 3:36 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    Snack food consumption increased 8% in April during the pandemic, according to a new study from the NPD Group, with savory and sweet options among the biggest beneficiaries. The fact that more consumers are turning to snacking is not new, but the coronavirus has changed eating habits and made it more deeply ingrained in the lives of many people. Learn more HERE.

  • July 09, 2020 3:30 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    Monday evening, the city of Columbia voted to require that people wear face masks. Under the order, all businesses must provide masks to employees or face fines. This decision in Columbia continues a trend of Missouri cities and counties requiring face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

    Besides Columbia, the current orders are concentrated in the Kansas City and St. Louis regions. The details of each order vary by location — find out if your business needs to follow certain requirements at the link below. The following counties and cities currently have a mask ordinance in place (as of July 8):

    COUNTY MASK ORDERS:

    Clay County

    Jackson County

    Johnson County

    St. Louis County order

    MUNICIPAL MASK ORDERS:

    Columbia

    North Kansas City

    St. Louis City

    If you would like a "Wear a Mask" sign for your store, click HERE to view and print one

  • June 25, 2020 1:35 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    The uncertainty surrounding the second half of 2020 means some retail companies might need to shelve long-range planning for the time being and focus instead on short-range goals that address immediate needs, said Target CEO and Chairman Brian Cornell. Speaking to the National Retail Federation, Cornell said, "My [long-range plan] at Target is the next four weeks." Read the full store HERE.

  • June 25, 2020 1:34 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    On Friday, Reps. Dan Kildee (D-MI-05) and Rick Crawford (R-AR-01) sent a letter to House leadership in support of additional emergency funding in the next coronavirus aid bill for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). GusNIP provides funding, through non-profits, to Americans on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase fruits and vegetables at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. This program also increases the purchasing power of SNAP recipients and helps low-income families afford nutritious food. The Congressmen write that “GusNIP stretches families’ food budgets, incentivizes healthier options and stimulates the economy. Without an emergency increase, GusNIP grantees will be faced with exhausted funding exactly at the time they are most needed in the recovery phase of the pandemic.” NGA supports efforts to provide additional funding for GusNIP in the next federal coronavirus relief measure. Please click here to read the letter.

  • June 25, 2020 1:32 PM | Greene (Administrator)

    President Donald Trump announced his support for an additional round of direct cash payments to Americans as part of another round of federal coronavirus relief. Trump did not specify his preference for the amount individuals would receive from the Treasury Department but said details will be announced in next couple of weeks. Trump signed a $2.2 trillion stimulus into law in late March that provided payroll support to small businesses, $1,200 direct payments to families, and boosted unemployment insurance (UI) checks to those affected by shutdown-related layoffs. Congress has been split on the issue of additional relief with Democrats calling for another round of federal stimulus and Republicans less eager to back such measures.


The Missouri Grocers Association315 N Ken Ave, Springfield, MO 65802 | Phone: 417-831-6667 | Fax: 417-831-3907

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