Iowa Grocery Industry Association

ARLINGTON, Va. – Progressive Grocer and the National Grocers Association launched a social networking community specifically for independent grocers, where they can learn from their most valuable resources – each other.

Called the Independent Grocer Network, the online community was created to empower its members to discover and share actionable insights unique to the independent grocer. Members can gather with peers to learn from each other by sharing retail-specific best practices, addressing real-world challenges and engaging in ongoing discussions with depth and breadth unavailable anywhere else.

"We learned from our executive roundtables that retailers want the opportunity to connect directly with their peers on issues that are important to them," said Joseph Tarnowski, Progressive Grocer senior editor and manager of the network. "However, traditional media – even typical online media – doesn't provide this direct connection, and in-person events don't have the frequency for regular communication. With the Independent Grocer Network, they can engage each other 24/7."

Frank DiPasquale, executive vice president of NGA said "This network is essential for the industry as the need for peer-to-peer trading partner communication has never been so critical. As the retail environment continues to evolve and is impacted by changing consumer demographics, federal and regulatory issues independent retailers need a forum to share and relate such issues, find educational tools and materials, and discover new resources. This private platform is the ideal setup for this dialogue."

While a business-to-business social network is unique in itself, what will truly set the Independent Grocer Network apart from other online business communities is its close moderation by its network manager.

"Many social networks I see tend to forget about the 'social' aspect of the platform," said Tarnowski. "They just build the site and expect it to manage itself, and are surprised when it turns into a job posting or product announcement message board. While the platform enables direct communication of its members, it still has to be moderated if it's going to deliver value to the membership. And it won't exist solely online; I'll be in touch with members regularly via phone calls and in person at NGA events."

Tarnowski will manage the network on tasks such as content development – including content exclusive to the network – moderating discussions, holding live chats on topics of the member's choosing, as well as assisting members in developing their own content.

"As an independent retailer, it would be invaluable to have a resource like the Independent Grocer Network," said Don Fallon, general manager of Ring Bros. Marketplace, a community-based independent in South Dennis, Mass. "We face extraordinary challenges not only in this economy but with ordinary day-to-day operations as well. The opinions and advice that a community of peers would provide could save a retailer from making costly mistakes. And having a centralized resource where that knowledge is concentrated in one place would save time and resources – two things independent grocers never have enough of."

In addition to independent grocers, the network's exclusive membership will also include the wholesalers that serve them.

"I have participated in many retailer/wholesaler roundtables and share groups, and working with my peers on common interests and challenges creates a network of highly functional leaders to help solve even the most difficult of issues and stay up-to-date on grocery industry subjects," said Mike Brown, general manager, retail technology, at Commerce, Calif.-based Unified Grocers. "The Independent Grocer Network would provide a forum for such sharing, something that is lacking in the industry. What's more, it would be available 24/7, unlike in-person forums and events."

"Most important," added Brown, "it would be a platform retailers and wholesalers can truly call their own, since we'd have the ability to add our own content and connect with those peers who share common interests."

Here are just some of the IGN's features available only to members:

Blogs: Every member of the network can post blogs about topics and issues relevant to them and other members, from details of a store visit to comments about industry news.
Discussion forums, where members go to find solutions to their real-world problems, and seek the opinions and insights of their peers. For convenience, the forums are segmented by topics such as technology, logistics and nonfoods.
Category and function specific share groups, with their own blogs and forums, enable retailer-members to zero in on what is most relevant to them.
Events calendar that puts comprehensive and detailed information on industry events at members' fingertips.
Multi-media sections where members can search and share retail-relevant photos and videos.
Member Profile Page: As a member, you get your own profile page, with details about your company and the roles you play in its success, as well as references to your activity on the site, such as the posts and comments you contribute and which groups you belong to. Your profile page helps other retailers with similar interests connect with you.
Phil Lempert will feature his latest "Hits & Misses" and "The Lempert Report" videos, as well as his own group in which members can interact with the Supermarket Guru.

While the site will feature regular content from the Progressive Grocer, NGA and Lempert, the most important component of the Independent Grocer Network is the valuable content generated by its retailer members.

To request membership, visit www.independentgrocernetwork.com or contact Joseph Tarnowski at (646) 654-7469 or jtarnowski@progressivegrocer.com.

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About Progressive Grocer Magazine

Progressive Grocer has been the voice of the food retail industry for over 85 years, serving top management at headquarters and top decision-makers at store level. Progressive Grocer is published by Nielsen Business Media, a part of The Nielsen Company – a global information and media company.

About the National Grocers Association

The National Grocers Association is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about the NGA and the independent sector of the industry, see the NGA’s Web site at www.NationalGrocers.org.