November 1, 2023
The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket
Benjamin Lorr
We have invested in grocery stores for many years. We appreciate 'boring' but necessary businesses that generate consistent profits. The author brings the industry alive with exhaustive research and eye-opening examples. It begins with the story of legendary Trader Joe(Coulombe) and his historic impact on the business, particularly his obsession with private label. Readers learn about the difficulties of the truckers that serve the industry, the growing power of massive stores like Kroger overbrands, and how a once-considered delicacy, like shrimp, can become available to the masses. We enjoyed the book and walked away with more conviction in our grocery store investments.