The grocery-store industry is enjoying robust sales growth as a tough economy has prompted people to eat out less often. According to North Carolina-based marketing research firm Sageworks Inc., privately held grocery store sales were up 5.7 percent in 2007 and are up 7.9 percent in 2008, while privately held restaurant sales were up 4 percent in 2007 and 2.2 percent in 2008.

According to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, as other sectors of the economy are laying off workers and cutting back production shifts, the grocery-store industry seems to be financially stable. And the beneficiaries are local Ohio grocery store chains such as Acme Fresh Market, Giant Eagle and Buehler's Fresh Foods.

Officials at Acme and Buehler's, both private companies, declined to reveal financial details, citing competitive reasons. Both report a significant increase in store brands, or products sometimes called generic or private-label brands.

Prepared foods, such as rotisserie chickens and soups to go, continue to see higher sales, Acme and Buehler's officials said. Buehler's is also seeing an increase of non-Buehler's shoppers during the holidays looking for special items, such as gift baskets, meat-and-cheese trays, and fresh baked goods.

The grocery store industry is one of the best businesses to be in now, said Tom Jackson, president and chief executive of the Ohio Grocers Association, which represents large and small store owners.