Supermarket Industry Soaring

Chicago, According to a state-of-the-industry report released Monday by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the supermarket industry increased sales overall by 5.3% in 2006, and upped same-store sales 4.0%.

Although the national chains reported a banner year in terms of sales and profit growth in 2006, other retailers didn’t fare as well. According to the report, nearly 25% of food retailers saw same-store sales decreases.

Issues raising concerns among all groups include, according to FMI, healthcare costs, competition from other retailers, credit-/debit-card interchange costs, energy costs, staffing, hiring and retention, technology investments and food-safety scares.