Cathie Ericson

Grocery store managers understand that vibrant, high-quality fresh produce is the cornerstone of shopper engagement and store loyalty. As the top category purchased at retail, finding its way into 85% of shopping baskets according to Progressive Grocer’s 2025 Consumer Expenditures Study, the produce department sets the tone for the entire store experience. This presents a significant competitive advantage given that Deloitte’s 2025 Consumer Survey found that “good quality of fruits and vegeta...

This special report from FSR Magazine featured three sponsored articles that I wrote for Jimmy Dean

Household spending remains pressured by elevated grocery prices. According to a recent FMI “Grocery Shoppers Snapshot,” groceries remain the most challenging discretionary spending category for consumers to afford. Yet more than three-quarters of shoppers continue to say they have some control over their grocery finances. For grocers, that means spending isn’t always allocated evenly.
“Grocers consistently tell us that shopping behavior is highly cyclical, particularly among value-conscious h...

The work world is undergoing a sea change, and high school students face an unprecedented challenge: preparing for careers that may not even exist yet. Today, students need more than subject-matter knowledge; they need adaptable, resilient skills that will serve them on the multiple pathways for these yet-to-be-defined jobs of the future.
No longer is it enough for educators to align curriculum to a vocation or a college opportunity. Skills are what matter, which is the driving force behind S...

In this infographic, discover how you can build lasting loyalty with family shoppers by stocking options parents approve and kids request.

In this infographic, discover how the current road trip renaissance presents a golden opportunity for c-stores to pump up profits.

When this Marietta-based barbershop set out to grow their business while preserving the charm of traditional barbering, they turned to Square for smarter tools. See how Barbearia streamlined operations, strengthened client connections, and expanded to a second location.

For the past eight years, Barbearia has been pampering its customers in Marietta, Georgia, with a warm and personal barber experience. “We wanted something where people would slow down and talk to each other, look at each othe...

While holiday shoppers may tend to abandon online carts stuffed with clothing and accessories, grocery carts keep rolling through the checkout. ’Tis the season for smart merchandising to turn a quick milk run into a $50 basket filled with seasonal treats and unexpected discoveries.
As other retailers fight for traffic, grocery stores already own it, making them the perfect platform for adding everything from thoughtful teacher gifts to stocking stuffers to those last-minute dinner ingredient ...

In this research report, learn how grocery stores can turn perimeter departments into advantages with strategic tech adoption.

Sponsored content for Amazon; the project also included an infographic.

Sponsored content for Just Walk Out by Amazon