Progressive Grocer - June/July 2009 - (Page 3)

From the Editor By Michelle Moran Celebrating Women The Top Women in Grocery program reaches a milestone, reflecting the steady advances of women in the workplace overall. I t was an incredible honor to review this year’s Top Women in Grocery nominations. The breadth of projects Progressive Grocer produces is remarkable — from Top Women to Category Captains to a justlaunched project with StayWell debuting significant research on improving the health of consumers through connectivity and communication at the retail level. (See the box below.) But I have to say, as a woman working in an industry (publishing) historically dominated by men, the Top Women program resonated with me. I recall my first years out of journalism school working in a daily newspaper in Connecticut. The newspaper had been a family business, recently acquired by Gannett. The newsroom was dominated by men. All of the management roles were held by men. In fact, I can still picture my old publisher — feet up on his desk, smoking a cigar and pulling out a bottle of high-end scotch from the desk drawer to mark the start of the press at midnight. His sheer presence intimidated me, and it was understood that the men had a better chance at advancement than the women. It was a simple fact. Thankfully, times have changed. And they are still changing. PG received more nominations this year than received overall since the inception of the Top Women program three years ago. More than 400 entries were received, leaving us to establish a new goal post for the awards — the Top 100. In addition, we’re introducing this year the Top Women Hall of Fame, in which we’ll recognize previous winners annually. Congratulations go out to all of these extraordinary women who have made substantial strides in the grocery industry, paving the way for the next generation of businesswomen. Coping Strategies PG is sponsoring the debut of a new study by Dave Nazaruk, SVP for retail business development at StayWell/MediMedia, entitled “Retailing’s Critical Role in Revolutionizing Health Care and Revitalizing the Economy” at the Health & Wellness Education Program & Product Pavilion, scheduled for June 16 to June 18 in Chicago, which takes place alongside The All Things Organic™ Conference & Trade Show. “Retailing’s Critical Role in Revolutionizing Health Care and Revitalizing the Economy: A Blueprint for Improving Consumer Health and Wellness, Transforming the Health Care Industry, and Energizing the U.S. Economy Through Retail” is available online at www.progressivegrocer.com/staywellwhitepaper. While we pause to honor these women, the industry and economy struggles forward. As of this writing, reports of a steady stabilization of economic woes in the United States were trickling out from national reports. Associations across the country released their annual reports illustrating a continued malaise in consumer spending. Supermarkets continue to pursue strategies other than discounting prices. Nearly all respondents (97.3 percent) to the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) “2009 Food Retailing Industry Speaks: Annual State of the Industry Review” emphasize perishables to gain a competitive advantage and give it the highest success rating at 8.1, although this figure is down from 8.4 in 2008. In addition, 68.4 percent are focusing on consumer wellness and family health as a competitive strategy, rating its effectiveness at 5.6. These figures decreased from 84.9 percent and 6.5, respectively. Furthermore, FMI’s “2009 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends” report illustrates how the industry can continue to build on relationships with consumers. Fifty-five percent of consumers say they are preparing more meals at home than last year, as a way to control food costs and ensure healthy eating. The report says that consumers are concerned about the nutritional content of their food, and 92 percent say they eat healthier when dining at home. Grocers tailoring promotions for these consumers will see steady strides. These consumers are seeking timesaving, affordable and healthy choices for mealtime. They’ve expressed interest in easy-to-make recipes (48 percent); recipes for cooking a meal for $10 or less (44 percent); and convenient placement in the store for dinner items such as pasta, sauce, bread, meat and salad (28 percent). If you would like to comment or send us your feedback, please send e-mail to michelle.moran@nielsen.com Progressive Grocer • June/July 2009 • www.progressivegrocer.com A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T 3 http://www.progressivegrocer.com/staywellwhitepaper http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - June/July 2009

Progressive Grocer - June/July 2009
Table of Contents
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/ Spotlight: Cheese/Shredded Cheese
Market Snapshot: Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif.
Independents Report: The Advantages of Older Associates
Lempert Report: Food Experts Tackle the Economy
Industry Achievement: The Top 100 Women in Grocery
Multicultural Marketing: 2050 is Today
Retailer of the Year: Celebrating Kroger
2009 Deli/Bakery Operations Review: Shrink-Wrapped
Fresh Developments: Consumer Shifts Create New Complexities for Fresh Food Trading Partners
Produce: Brimming With Possibilities
Meat: Fired Up!
Store of the Month: Giant Eagle’s Express-Ohhh!
Cheese: Cooked Cheese and Other Spiritual Revelations
Beverage Alcohol: A Cup of Cheer
Frozen Foods: Frozen Vegetable Sales are Steaming
Real Estate: Bigger is not Always Better
Technology: At Your Service
Equipment Innovations
What’s Next: Editors’ Picks for Innovative Products

Progressive Grocer - June/July 2009