With 2012 being a presidential election year, food retailers around the country polled by SN said they see several legislative and regulatory challenges, both on the national and local levels.
- Jay Campbell, president and chief executive officer, Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge, La., said he thinks “the biggest drawback on U.S. economic growth is the uncertainly we all have about the federal statutory and regulatory environment.” Operators concerned about the Obama Administration’s pro-union stance on many issues, he said, as well as its approach toward environmental issues and taxation. At the local level, he said businesses in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi have been fortunate to enjoy a pro-business climate.
- For California, the biggest legislative concern is a class-action lawsuit that’s still in the early stages that would charge the industry with failing to make sure employees take the breaks and lunch periods to which they are entitled, said Jack Brown, chairman and CEO. “Apparently we are supposed to monitor whether they eat lunch or take their breaks,” he explained. On the national level the biggest concern, he said, is the economy in general, “which is a national disaster and a disgrace for which both political parties are to blame. Both parties need to roll up their sleeves and go to work. We knew four years ago we needed jobs, and our politicians tell us they are concentrating on creating jobs, but we need leadership at the national level to get it done.”
- Jerry Golub, the newly named CEO at Price Chopper, Schenectady, N.Y., said his company is “particularly concerned about a number of anti-business initiatives that are being endorsed by the [National Labor Relations Board]. In addition, we are closely monitoring congressional efforts to reduce SNAP benefits, which, if enacted, could have a devastating impact on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. Finally, as citizens, we should all be concerned with the commitment of Congress to reduce the national deficit.”
- Scott Karns, president of Karns Foods, Mechanicsville, Pa., said his top concern on the legislative front is reducing joblessness. “I’m very concerned about legislation that’s going to move our economy forward,” he said. “The supermarket industry is all about the 99%. Those are the people who shop in stores every day — not the 1%, they can afford to go out and eat. For the 99%, we need jobs. And until we have a significantly under 8% unemployment it will be tough to strongly grow the economy and grow profitable sales.”
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