Amanda Blankenship is the Chief Editor for District Media. She frequently writes for a handful of blogs and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn't typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. During her free time, you're likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.

staffing models

Grocery Chains Reevaluate Staffing Models Due to Rising Operational Costs

From self-checkout kiosks to leaner floor teams, grocery stores across the country are making big changes to how they staff their stores. With inflation driving up wages, utilities, and supply chain expenses, many chains are rethinking their traditional labor models. The goal? Stay profitable without sacrificing customer service. But for shoppers, these changes can mean…

seasonal hires

Managers Identify Training Gaps With Seasonal Hires Across Departments

Every year, retailers ramp up hiring to meet the demands of the busy shopping season. From stocking shelves to running registers, seasonal hires are the backbone of holiday operations. But behind the scenes, managers are sounding the alarm: training gaps are leaving new hires unprepared, overwhelmed, and underperforming. These gaps don’t just affect employee morale—they…

inventory tracking

Store Associates Report Difficulty Implementing New Inventory Tracking Devices

Retailers are racing to modernize, but not every upgrade goes smoothly—especially when it hits the sales floor. Across grocery chains, store associates are voicing frustration over the rollout of new inventory tracking devices. These handheld tools promise real-time stock visibility and fewer errors, but in practice, they’re creating confusion, delays, and even more manual work.…

coupon verification

Front-End Leaders Say New Coupon Verification Steps Slow Down Checkout Flow

Shoppers love a good deal, but lately many are noticing that scoring those savings comes with a little more friction at the register. Across major grocery chains, front-end leaders say new coupon verification steps—designed to reduce fraud—are unintentionally slowing down the checkout flow. For customers, that means longer lines, more delays, and a checkout experience…

name brand vs generic

Price vs. Value: When It’s Smarter to Buy Name Brand (vs. Generic)—A Real Shopper’s Guide

Every shopper has faced the dilemma: do you grab the cheaper store brand or stick with the familiar name brand? With grocery prices climbing, the choice between saving money and ensuring quality feels more important than ever. The truth is, name brand vs generic isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision—it depends on the product category, your priorities,…