Labor Pressure Remains a Key Consideration for 2026

Elevated labor costs are not going away, and independent grocers who treat them as a crisis to react to rather than a variable to manage are at a disadvantage. This article looks at what operators should be planning for in 2026 and how to build labor cost awareness into everyday decision-making.  READ MORE

Wage Pressure and Scheduling Rules

Rising minimum wages and evolving scheduling regulations are adding complexity and cost for independent grocery operators. This article breaks down what is changing and how to stay ahead of both the compliance requirements and the financial impact before they affect the bottom line. READ MORE

Labor Pressures Rising: How Independent Grocers Can Control Costs Without Cutting Corners

Labor and benefits costs hit a record 16.3% of sales in fiscal 2024, according to the FMS/NGA Independent Grocers Financial Study — making labor the single largest and fastest-growing expense for independent operators. This article examines how grocers are moving from reactive scheduling to data-driven workforce planning using tools like WorkHappy™ to reduce excess hours without sacrificing service.  READ MORE

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Winning Labor Tactics for Independent Grocery Store Success

High turnover and labor shortages are pushing independent grocers to rethink how they manage and retain their teams. This Q&A with FMS Director of Solutions Engineering Matt Scheelar covers how smarter scheduling, better communication, and tools like WorkHappy™ are helping stores improve retention, reduce manager stress, and build teams that actually want to stay.  READ MORE

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