This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Mike Semmann, vice president of government affairs for the Wisconsin Grocers Association.
The discussion ranges from inflation and supply chain impacts on prices to efforts to address the workforce shortage.
“In this day of inflation and wage costs going up, grocers really have to be very sensitive to making sure that they’re keeping their workers happy, that they’re competitive in their marketplace, and yet keeping an eye on price,” he said. “Because ultimately, that’s going to be affecting the consumers.”
He explains grocery store customers are very price-conscious, given the frequency of their buying decisions.
“If there’s a one-penny increase on the front end of the production side, and maybe transportation costs are going up, all of those are amplifiers — multipliers, if you will — along that supply chain process that ultimately is felt by the consumer,” he said. “So grocers are very sensitive to that whole supply chain, what those costs are.”
Semmann also highlights some of the association’s top policy priorities, including repealing the state’s personal property tax.
“That’s the number one item that Wisconsin grocers hope can get accomplished this legislative session,” he said.
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
