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TODAY'S GROCER reaches chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, wholesalers, distributors, category managers and executives across the supply chain — connecting top decision-makers with the information and opportunities that drive growth.
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The Publisher Speaks
As we move deeper into one of the most consequential periods of economic realignment in modern American history, the Southeastern United States continues to distinguish itself — not only in spirit and values, but in measurable economic performance. Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina are no longer just warm, affordable states with modest growth patterns. They have become national power centers, leading the country in population gains, business formation, economic expansion and retail demand.
This transformation is not theoretical. It is visible in the numbers. Florida has added more than 1.1 million new residents since 2020, the largest gain of any state in the nation. North Carolina has welcomed more than 450,000 newcomers, while South Carolina has added more than 300,000. Together, these three states now account for roughly 35 percent of all domestic migration in the United States. These are families making long term decisions — not temporary movements, but permanent commitments to communities shaped by values they trust.
It is important to note who is driving this growth. Recent IRS interstate migration data shows that more than 78 percent of newcomers to Florida are American citizens relocating from high tax states in the Northeast and West Coast. Many are second and third generation immigrants who have lived in the United States for decades, who built lives within its lawful systems and who are now choosing regions that reflect the economic and social foundations they value. They are moving not for politics, but for stability. Not for slogans, but for predictable governance, strong economies and the promise of upward mobility.
The economic performance of these states affirms the wisdom of their choice. Florida’s GDP has surpassed $1.7 trillion, making it one of the 15 largest economies in the world. North Carolina recently achieved $900 billion GDP, fueled by manufacturing, technology and financial services. South Carolina’s economy continues to accelerate past $300 billion, supported by booming ports, rapidly expanding suburbs and a business climate that consistently ranks among the most competitive in the country.
These shifts have created a ripple effect across every consumer industry, but nowhere is the impact as immediate and measurable as in the supermarket sector. Grocery spending in the Southeast is now growing 2.4 times faster than the national average. More than 167 national chain supermarket locations across the region have closed in the past three years, many due to corporate restructuring and slower adaptation to demographic change. In sharp contrast, independent supermarkets have expanded by 18.5 percent across the Southeast during the same period, with Florida leading at 21 percent growth.
This is not an accident. It is the result of agility, discipline and the ability to move at the speed of the market.
Independent supermarkets are filling the spaces left behind — reviving former chain stores, entering fast growing suburbs before large corporations secure approvals and aligning themselves directly with the needs of the communities they serve. Automation has become a defining advantage. More than 58 percent of independent supermarkets in the region now utilize automated checkout systems, 34 percent use advanced inventory management technology and automation investments across the industry have grown nearly 300 percent since 2020. These tools reduce waste by up to 20 percent, increase labor productivity by 8 to 15 percent and improve overall margins in a period of high demand and rising operational costs.
Behind all of this growth is a shared regional philosophy — one rooted in responsible governance, lawful conduct and economic freedom. The Southeast’s ascent is not based on chance or trend; it is the product of policy. These states maintain low tax burdens, predictable regulations and environments where businesses can expand without unnecessary obstacles. Florida’s zero income tax structure, North Carolina’s 2 percent corporate income tax — the lowest in the nation — and South Carolina’s pro industry incentives have all played direct roles in attracting both companies and families.
Perhaps most importantly, these states have preserved something increasingly rare: a sense of social stability. New residents consistently report that they are motivated by safety, economic opportunity and the desire to live in communities that uphold the value of hard work and personal responsibility. These motivations align with the heritage of many second and third generation immigrant families who have long understood that America functions best when its rules are clear, its systems are orderly and its rewards support those who contribute.
This issue of our publication explores the data, the trends and the real world stories behind this regional rise. It examines how independent supermarkets are not simply responding to population growth, but truly leading in innovation, technology adoption and community engagement. It takes a deeper look at how lawful migration, conservative governance and responsible economic policy work together to create an environment where businesses can thrive, and families can build secure futures.
The Southeast is not just expanding — it is setting the pace for national growth. It is proving that when government stays accountable, when communities stay grounded and when businesses are given the freedom to succeed, the results speak for themselves in every measurable way: higher GDP, stronger job creation, faster household formation, lower tax burdens and booming retail markets.
As publisher, it is my honor to present this issue — a comprehensive look at the forces shaping the new Southeastern economy and the remarkable rise of independent supermarkets within it. I invite you to explore the data, examine the trends and reflect on what this transformation reveals about the fundamental strengths of the American system.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting the voices, businesses and communities that continue to build one of the most dynamic and opportunity rich regions in the United States.
New Dietary Guidelines Signal Where Grocery Is Headed Next
The release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is unlikely to trigger immediate resets in grocery assortments, but it does offer a clear read on where shopper expectations, product development and merchandising priorities are headed.
Issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA, the updated guidance reinforces themes already influencing food retail: higher protein intake, greater emphasis on fruits and vegetables, and reduced consumption of foods high in added sugars and sodium. For grocery retailers, the bigger question is how those recommendations translate amid ongoing price pressure, supply constraints and real-world shopping behavior.
The timing is notable. Food inflation has eased from recent peaks but remains uneven across departments, with dairy and protein categories still facing elevated costs. That reality complicates nutrition-forward messaging, particularly as shoppers continue to weigh health goals against affordability.
The guidelines also add momentum to continued scrutiny of highly processed foods and sweetened beverages, including soda, fruit drinks and energy drinks. While regulatory action is not immediate, retailers may see heightened shopper attention on ingredient transparency, portion sizes and better-for-you alternatives.
While the guidance does not impose restrictions at retail, it signals sustained pressure on center-store categories historically tied to volume and margin. As assortments evolve, execution will matter. Managing shorter shelf lives, reducing waste and fine-tuning inventory will be critical to keeping fresh and perimeter departments profitable.
Ultimately, sustained change will hinge on shopper behavior as much as manufacturer reformulation or retailer assortment shifts.
“Existing operating models across the supply chain are not designed to accelerate adoption of the pyramid and, in some cases, may slow broader uptake,” said Sebastián Garcia-Dastugue, associate professor of marketing and logistics at Florida International University’s College of Business. “Any meaningful transition will depend on whether consumer demand materializes at scale.”
Mangusa: Curaçao’s Family-Built Retail Powerhouse
Mangusa stands today as the largest, best-known supermarket brand in Curaçao — a family-owned business that began as a single “toko” and grew, expansion by expansion, into a destination hypermarket that draws locals, tourists, and even weekend crowds who treat the store as a community hub.
The chain’s flagship Mangusa Hypermarket is now considered one of the island’s premier retail anchors, a place where customers shop, eat, linger in the food court, and enjoy a wide assortment of products that has far outgrown its beginnings.
“People love it, they find everything here,” said Anna Maria Sillé Goncalves Do Estreito, one of five siblings who runs the business. “It has become a destination… on Saturdays and Sundays it’s a party, people stay and chat, there’s music.”
The story of Mangusa begins with two migrants from Madeira, Portugal: Belmira Sousa de Lira and her husband, Francisco Gonçalves do Estreito, Sr. The couple opened their first small shop near the Janwe church in 1973, supplying it with produce from their land and supplementing the rest with goods from the floating market.
As the community grew, so did their business. The chain’s boldest milestone arrived in 2011 with the opening of the Mangusa Hypermarket on Cascoraweg. The family is now planning a full redevelopment of the Rio Canario supermarket.
Many families on the island “have grown alongside us,” the family said, forming a multigenerational relationship with the brand.
In many ways, the community’s enthusiasm continues to shape the company’s direction. “What people like is that we have grown, from what it was before,” said the family.
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