Largely due to niche marketing, small scale Indie grocery stores will continue to thrive. Richmond, Virgina based Ukrop continues to operate after 70 years. The grocery store has survived the Great Depression and the introduction of Wal-Mart’s adoption of grocery sales.

But how do these small scale indie grocery stores survive? Business Week found that it is thanks to the flexibility of the small scale stores, quick introduction of new products, personal connection and instore events for customers, and doing something the big groceries stores can’t. Indie grocery stores are quick to stay ahead of the competition by offering products and offerings the competition can’t or won’t offer. Ukrop was one of the first grocery stores in the country to start offering ready made meals for customers and operates a fresh bakery to give the store a ‘community appeal’. Read