Independent grocers contribute more than $255 billion to the U.S. economy, according to a new study from the National Grocers Association. This number makes up about 1.2 percent of the U.S. GDP.
In addition, independent community grocers are responsible for more than 1.1 million jobs with earning wages approaching $39 billion. Sales from independent grocery retailers totaled $253.6 billion in 2020 and accounted for 33 percent of total U.S. grocery sales, up 25 percent from a decade ago.
“Not only are independent community grocers at the heart of the community, they are also at the heart of the U.S. economy,” said NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara. “The continued strength and growth of the independent supermarket industry shows consumers are supporting local, community grocers who continue to innovate and bring value to the communities they serve.”
However, despite these gains, some independent grocers lost ground in many rural and urban areas where food deserts exist.
“Through strategic investment and planning, independent community grocers found themselves well positioned to meet the intense demand placed on them by consumers during the pandemic, and have proved themselves to be indispensable partners in their communities and local economies,” Ferrara said. “Despite this growth over the past decade, independents appear to be losing a foothold in rural and inner-city low-income areas. NGA is working to reverse this trend through a comprehensive antitrust advocacy approach that would rein in growing power-buyer influence and encourage grocery investment in disadvantaged communities.”
Related: National Grocers Association Rebrands; NGA Calls on Government to Act on Labor Shortage.