Barbara G. BERGER

President of Food City Markets, Inc.

My dad, Robert Katz, founded our family business in 1953. While he was a visionary in the supermarket business, he was also very cautious in analyzing new locations. He always wanted to be prepared for any severe setback in business. When he died in 1996, I became President. I can still hear his voice, imparting his cautionary wisdom: “The sun doesn’t shine forever.”

While growth and expansion are always a priority, plans and preparation for major downturns and new competition can save a business in bad times.

During an upturn, prepare for the downturn