Ask the Expert 2025
Nicki Leonard
Nugget Market
Have you ever wanted to shop for a living? As Specialty Grocery/General Merchandise Buyer for Nugget Market, Nicki Leonard gets to do just that! But it’s a lot more complicated than clicking “Add to Cart.” Learn how she uses her expertise and passion to get the right goods into stores and to guests like you.
What exactly does a Grocery Buyer do?
A lot of things, really. One of my main responsibilities is to search out boutique, local and artisan vendors, finding items unique to our market and giving them a platform to shine. I also get to build relationships and promotions with smaller specialty brands, and direct displays to help showcase their items. Grocery shopping for a whole set of stores is a big job, but that’s half the fun!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I’m extremely passionate about building displays and sharing that skill. I love having the opportunity to go to all our stores to help train teams, and seeing our associates gain confidence—it gives me more drive each working day. I’m also just excited about cooking equipment and groceries anyway. I’m always looking for fun new kitchen gadgets or condiments to add to my collection!
What makes Nugget Market’s selection unique?
For starters, we offer more than 15,000 gourmet groceries in our stores, and I keep a pulse on all the items that set us apart. Whether it’s a rare ingredient or just the right tool, if any place has it, Nugget will! We love to connect our partner producers and our guests so we can be your one-stop shop for any culinary adventure. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, let us know. We’re always on the hunt for new ways to fulfill our fellow foodies’ needs.
Multiple locations. nuggetmarket.com
