Food Marketing Institute on Thursday recognized four supermarket store managers for their work generating sales growth, providing great customer service, contributing to company goals and serving their communities.
The 15th annual Store Manager Award winners are:
Category A: (1-49 stores)
• Larry Hack, Martin’s Super Markets, Granger, Ind.
Hack’s use of creative merchandising in center store, including the Biggest Barefoot Wine Display Ever Built and a Cereal Display of a Race Car, has been key to increasing sales.
Kate AllredCategory B: (50-199 stores)
• Kate Allred, Lowes Foods, Clemmons, N.C.
A shopping trip in Allred’s stores has been described as “like going on a field trip” or “going to Disney Land” with interactive, original displays such as the singing Chicken Chandelier or the Sausage Professor.
Randy KruseCategory C: (200-plus stores)
• Randy Kruse, Hy-Vee, Ames, Iowa
Through expanding connections with Iowa State University, Kruse has quadrupled the amount of business the store gets from the university and companies associated with ISU athletics.
Category D: (International)
• George Katsifolis, Delhaize Group, Kalamata, Greece
An entrepreneur at heart, Katsifolis pushes for “out-of-the-box” ideas, such as a new fish department or a dedicated local foods initiative that help drive sales and growth.
The 2014 Store Manager Awards were announced at FMI Connect in Chicago. Winners each received a $1,000 prize and a crystal award.
“Store managers are the heart and soul of our industry,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “Our 2014 Store Manager Award winners display all the key leadership qualities—dedication to their customers and community, ability to bring out the best in others, and innovative marketing ideas—that are the gold medal qualities of successful food retailers.”
