Progressive Grocer - May 2009 - (Page 36)

Independents Report Big ideas for the smaller grocer Giving Back IGA’s global initiatives demonstrate the generosity of the independent spirit through community service and retail success. By Jane Olszeski Tortola T heir mission in Australia is simple — “to proudly provide customers with value through friendly service, quality and active community involvement.” And it is perhaps IGA’s incomparable community involvement that Thousands of Community Chest Events Planned by IGA makes the banner the supermarket of choice for those Retailers in Australia Have Included the Following: living Down Under. Operating over 1,000 stores in five defined • The Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run in Queensland involved marketing areas, IGA Australia recently earned warehouse and office workers, and IGA retailers. accolades as one of the top 30 fundraising organ• Chatham IGA donated a new rescue board to the izations in the country, and serves as an outstandBlack Head Surf Club. ing example from which independents operating • IGA retailers on the Sunshine Coast organized a special around the world can learn and ultimately enhance screening of the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean,” which their own philanthropic efforts. helped to generate over $300,000 for the Leukemia Recently, industry icon Dr. Tom Haggai, chairFoundation. man of IGA Global, shared with me just a few of • Pyramid Hill IGA presented its local Fire Brigade with a new emergency the successful programs developed by his retailers, equipment trailer, courtesy of the store’s Community Chest funds. their suppliers and IGA’s Red Oval Partners. • Golf Day, organized by the IGA and Supa IGA stores from Avon Village, raised The initiatives, and hundreds of others organ$10,000 for the Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades. ized by stores small and large, are credited with • The Multiple Sclerosis Society in Western Australia was the beneficiary of $116,000 raised when local IGA stores sponsored the musical production “Oliver.” helping the world’s largest voluntary supermarket • Preston’s IGA and Supa IGA Gatton celebrated Breast Cancer Month by network, which entered Australia in 1988, to enjoy decorating the store with pink balloons and ribbons, and selling pink steady growth over the past two decades. In fact, merchandise. Associates dressed in pink aprons, hats and accessories. last year alone, with the support of suppliers and IGA Red Oval Partners, the banner experienced an overall sales increase in excess of 10 percent. athletic competitions, and even coaching tips. and market the brand, and retailers themselves being Take a look at the list below and you’ll no doubt National Pensioner Program: IGA Australia responsible for 20 percent of the promotional activity. discover new ideas that can be easily incorporated provides assistance to the elderly by coordinating IGA Community Chest: Each year, IGA stores into your existing and already successful commu- volunteers to provide shopping service, transportation across Australia donate millions of dollars to local nity programs. to and from appointments, or regular visits and chat communities through its “IGA Community Chest.” Food 4 Life: IGA’s “Food 4 Life” television pro- time to those in need. Since the program’s inception, over $37 million has gram features a registered dietitian. “Food 4 Life” is Local Heroes: IGA television commercials in been distributed to more than 7,000 organizations. also incorporated into the “consumer zone” of IGA Australia often profile outstanding retailers and their A guaranteed percentage is set aside from the Australia’s Web site and provides valuable nutri- commitment to local charities, emergency rescue purchase of each IGA-branded product or selected tional information and advice to squads, schools, aged-care facilities, line with the Community Chest logo. At the end of More ONLINE consumers. and more. Recent “Local Heroes” the year, each IGA store chooses a local group or For additional information Little Athletics: Having a reladonations, among others, include charity to which to donate the funds. on independent tionship with Australia’s Little Atha $25,000 cash donation to provide retailers, go to letics program for a number of years, short-term and long-term assistance Independent Retailing Editor Jane Olszeski Tortola Progressivegrocer.com IGA recently entered into a national to emergency search-and-rescue can be reached at JanieOT@aol.com. A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T www.progressivegrocer.com sponsorship agreement with the organization. Through advertising efforts on and off sports fields, its consumer-oriented Web site, and in-store promotions and activities devoted to Little Athletics, in which over 85,000 youngsters participate, IGA provides useful information on how to keep children active, eating balanced diets, how to best prepare for workers and local police departments assisting flood victims, as well as IGA Queensland’s donation in the amount of $27,000 to the Leukemia Foundation’s “Shave For A Cure.” The Local Heroes campaign stresses an 80:20 principle, with IGA’s national advertising campaign being responsible for 80 percent of the initiatives to grow 36 • Progressive Grocer • May 2009 http://www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - May 2009

Progressive Grocer - May 2009
Contents
Nielsen's Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: Candy/Chocolate Candy
Market Snapshot: Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
The 76th Annual Report of the Grocery Industry: Opportunity Knocking
Industry Ranking: The Super 50
Independents Report: IGA's Stores Down Under Are Experts at Giving Back
Lempert Report: Sustainable Agriculture is the Key to Feeding the World
Store of the Month: Angels in the City
United Fresh Product Forecast: Save-A-Lot Savors Suite Life at United Fresh
Meat/Seafood: A Signature Cut
Show Preview: IDDBA's Dairy-Deli-Bake 2009
Beverage Alcohol: A Heads-Up for Hops
Confectionery: Eye Candy
Hand-Held Frozen Entrees: Holding On
Coffee: Bean Counters
Private Label Trends: Private Practice
HBC: A Healthy Boost
Technology Case Study: Employ Automated Hiring
Equipment: Reach for Safety
What's Next Editors' Picks for Innovative Products
General Merchandise Taking Stock

Progressive Grocer - May 2009