Author: Julio Ibanez
Turkey is not just a market. It is a crossroads. Geographically, it connects Europe and Asia. Economically, it balances growth and volatility. Culturally, it blends deep tradition with relentless modernity. And nowhere is this tension more visible than in its supermarkets. In Turkey, grocery retail is not about comfort or indulgence. It is about efficiency, access, and survival at scale. This is Turkey—where supermarkets are engineered to serve a nation of more than 85 million people, every single day. Retail Under Pressure To understand Turkish grocery retail, one must understand the environment in which it operates. Turkey is defined by:…
Italy is not just a country. It is a mosaic of regions, traditions, dialects, and identities—and nowhere is that more evident than in its supermarkets. Unlike much of Europe, where consolidation and financialization have diluted ownership and decision-making, Italy has preserved something increasingly rare in modern retail: family leadership at scale. Here, supermarkets are not anonymous chains. They are extensions of territory, culture, and long-term family vision. This is Italy—where family still runs the supermarket. Retail as Territory, Not Just Distribution To understand Italian grocery retail, one must first understand Italy itself. Consumption is regional. Loyalty is local. And food…
Most people see supermarkets as places to buy food. I’ve always seen them as systems. Systems of trust. Systems of efficiency. Systems of culture. That’s why I’m starting this series — A World Tour of Supermarkets — as a journey from East to West, exploring grocery chains around the world and the lessons they quietly teach about retail, communities, and long-term value creation. And there was only one place where this journey could begin. Spain. Where my career in grocery truly started. Where I learned that retail is not built from trends, but from discipline. Why Spain matters in global…
Natural Grocers Expands Private Label Portfolio With New Organic Frozen Fruit and Smoothie Blends Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage continues to strengthen its private label strategy with the introduction of five new organic frozen fruit items, further expanding its presence in the growing frozen and wellness-focused categories. The latest additions include a mix of single-ingredient organic fruits and ready-to-use smoothie blends designed for convenience-focused, health-conscious shoppers. The new products now available in stores are: Organic Frozen Sunshine Smoothie Blend Organic Frozen Super Boost Smoothie Blend Organic Frozen Tropical Fruit Blend Organic Frozen Sliced Bananas Organic Frozen Sliced Peaches These…
PRESS RELEASE Washington DC June 20th. 2025 The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce Appoints Guillermo Washington as Retail Vice President The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce (HRCOC) is proud to announce the appointment of Guillermo Washington as its new Retail Vice President. With a distinguished career spanning top retail organizations across the United States and Mexico, Guillermo brings unmatched expertise in Hispanic retail strategy, operations, and expansion. His extensive background includes leadership roles at some of the most prominent Hispanic supermarket chains in the U.S., including Mi Pueblo in California, El Rancho Supermercado in Texas, Talpa Supermercados in Georgia,…