Lou Scudere

Grocery Market Analyst

 

Lou Scudere is principal for Riverbend Retail Consulting LLC, providing developmental and financial solutions for supermarket operators and real estate developers.

Lou was Vice President of Real Estate, Research and Site Development for Food City Supermarkets and President of its real estate subsidiary, Marathon Realty Corp., after which he retired in 2017. During his career, Lou has sited, built or replaced nearly 150 supermarkets, developed two dozen shopping centers, and overseen six major business acquisitions. Lou was also instrumental in the acquisition of nearly 100 supermarkets leading feasibility analysis, resource forecasting and transaction negotiations.

Lou has frequently presented at supermarket industry events focused predominantly on topics dealing with marketing research, real estate development/site selection and capital budgeting. He provides these advisory services to New Venture Advisors as Grocery Market Analyst.

Lou holds a Bachelor of Business from Western Illinois University and an MBA from East Tennessee State University.

 

 

 Whatcom County Food System Plan

In 2021, the Whatcom County Food System Committee conducted a community food assessment that pointed to key opportunities to build a more robust and resilient regional food system. New Venture Advisors partnered with Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee to draft a Whatcom County Food System Plan that builds upon these findings. This Plan focuses on five key goals for building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system, and was informed by an inclusive community engagement process. The Food System Plan will provide the county with a policy roadmap that will strengthen the local food system for years to come. (2023)

 Whatcom Local Food Campus

The Whatcom Community Foundation invests in activities and organizations that improve the ability of people to help themselves, increase connections among people, and take cooperative approaches to community issues. WCF is exploring the development of a local food campus on a waterfront property that would become a multi-tenant site, anchored by a collaborative production kitchen benefitting food access, school system, and community organizations. The goal is strengthening Whatcom County’s local food system by promoting health equity, forging tangible strategic connections between food production organizations, and helping farmers connect with institutional markets. The facility will also feature an incubation kitchen, demonstration kitchen, event and classroom space, collaborative office and conference facilities, and housing.  New Venture Advisors developed the business case for this ambitious project and continues to support its development through engagement and operational development. (2023)