Think of the grocery store business in Marion County as the retail version of college football's BCS standings.
There are two powerhouses — Publix and Wal-Mart — at the top followed by some scrappy competitors– Sweetbay Supermarkets, Aldi and Winn-Dixie — trying to gain market share in an industry, though stronger than other retail sectors, that still lost ground for the second straight year.
Supermarket sales grew a meager 0.12 percent in 2009 and same-store sales decreased 0.82 percent, illustrating the complex and challenging marketplace in which food retailers operate every day, according to the 2010 Food Retailing Industry Speaks: Annual State of the Industry Review from the Food Marketing Institute.
The tough sales climate resulted in a drop in net profit among retailers from 1.43 percent in 2008 to 1.22 percent in 2009. A closer look shows that 12.1 percent of stores posted net losses.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Ocala Business Journal (Ocala, FL).
