As we close out the year, I want to extend my sincere thanks for your continued partnership and support. Together, we’ve navigated challenging economic headwinds and laid a strong foundation for success in 2026.
The Riteway Business Insights Team greatly appreciates your collaboration. Through our joint efforts, we’ve been able to deliver actionable insights that empower our retail partners to make smarter, faster decisions.
At Riteway, we’re continuously investing in state-of-the-art technology and analytics to enhance our insight services and strengthen our position as the leading food broker in the Southeast. Our proprietary category management platform continues to evolve—designed to organize and distill ever-growing data sets into fast, focused insights.
We also want to recognize the resilience of today’s consumers, who have endured more than 21% food inflation over the past four years. Despite these pressures, our teams and clients have partnered to provide creative, value-driven solutions that help shoppers stretch their dollars further.
Finally, to our clients—thank you for your continued collaboration and trust. We recognize you have choices, and we’re honored to be your partner. Together, let’s close out the year strong and launch into 2026 with momentum and optimism.
Ed Field
Vice President
Business Insights
Employee Spotlight
Recognizing Two of Our 2024 Riteway Impact Award Winners
Mark Meyer – Director, Space Technology
Mark Meyer is, quite simply, a one-man planogram wrecking machine. His exceptional expertise and attention to detail have earned him deep trust from Category Managers, who frequently seek his guidance even on planograms outside our direct scope of representation.
Mark’s leadership and precision give Riteway a distinct competitive advantage in Space and Shelf Analytics. His ability to streamline complex layouts into practical, effective solutions continues to drive success for both our clients and retail partners.
Tom Gentry – Director, Business Insights (SEG and Carolinas Team)
Tom Gentry is known for his teamwork, collaborative spirit, and relentless pursuit of excellence. He’s always ready to lend a hand, listen carefully, and ensure every voice is heard.
When Tom takes on a project, his passion for problem-solving and data precision shines through. He’s meticulous in his analysis and delivers insights that are clear, actionable, and tailored to benefit both Riteway and our clients.
We congratulate both Mark and Tom for their well-deserved recognition. Their dedication and leadership exemplify the values to make a real impact at Riteway.
Riteway in the Community: Publix Partnership Supports Breast Cancer Awareness
This October, Riteway joined forces with Publix Super Markets and 12 national brands to raise funds for breast cancer charities across Florida. Featured in local media and trade publications, the campaign invited shoppers to purchase specially marked products from the Publix Extra Savings flyer, with proceeds going to support organizations such as Glam-A-THON, Gilda’s Club South Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Pink Ribbon Jax.
Together, the initiative is expected to generate $15,000 in donations to help women and families impacted by breast cancer.
Riteway in the Community: Ingles Market Turkey Dinner Giveaway
On November 18th, the Riteway Carolinas team, led by Jamie Mann and Bobby Duncan, will partner with Ingles Markets to distribute over 1,100 complete turkey dinners to families in need. The event will take place at the site of the former Ingles store in Swannanoa, NC that was damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Each family will receive a 15-pound turkey and all the fixings for a full holiday meal. Riteway Carolinas and its client partners raised more than $41,000 to make this possible, helping families still recovering from the lasting effects of the devastating storms last year.
Riteway in the Community: Mayfield Dairy Farms – 10,000 Scoop Challenge
On September 24th, the Mayfield Dairy Farms 10,000 Scoop Challenge Tour made a sweet stop in downtown Jacksonville at James Weldon Park. Partnering with The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida, the event served up 10,000 free scoops of Moose Tracks ice cream and raised $10,000 for the Salvation Army.
The weather was perfect, the volunteers were energized, and the smiles were endless. Riteway was proud to be part of this community celebration that combined fun, flavor, and philanthropy.
Riteway Annual Meeting Recap
This year’s Riteway Annual Meeting was held Oct. 6-9 and brought the entire team together in Sarasota, Florida, for a vibrant, circus-themed event celebrating the city’s Ringling heritage.
Teams from our Lakeland, Jacksonville, and Carolinas offices gathered for two days of connection, collaboration, and fun. The event took place at the Westin Hotel in downtown Sarasota. Our team enjoyed an excellent dinner while leadership presented awards and recognized our outstanding performers. The meeting featured team-building activities that included building red wagons and each group could earn toys by participating in trivia games. At the end of the activity all wagons and toys were donated to Sarasota Boys and Girls Club.
On the second evening, the spirit of teamwork and enthusiasm was on full display when our team enjoyed a night of circus performers and entertainment at the New College of Florida building, built by Charles Ringling. It was a great evening setting the stage for more excitement in 2026.
Industry Insights & Trends
Every Generation Shops Differently – Insights from Progressive Grocer
Today’s grocery landscape is more diverse than ever, shaped by the unique habits, values, and expectations of multiple generations shopping under one roof. From Boomers who prioritize familiarity and value, to Gen Z shoppers who seek digital engagement and authenticity, grocers must adapt to meet everyone’s needs.
Progressive Grocer’s recent article, “One Store for Every Generation,” explores how retailers can bridge generational gaps through tailored marketing, digital innovation, and curated assortments that appeal to all age groups.