David Orgel, editor-in-chief of Supermarket News, left, presents SN's 2007 Retail Excellence Award to Kelly Griffith, president of Safeway's Portland, Ore., division, during the 13th annual Executive Forum sponsored by the Food Industry Leadership Center at Portland State University. In accepting the award on behalf of the Pleasanton, Calif.-based retailer, Griffith acknowledged the work done by Safeway associates across the U.S. and Canada that helped earn the award, which was based on the chain's ongoing conversion of stores to the lifestyle format; designing the “Ingredients for Life” campaign; developing proprietary lines of natural and organic products; creating a third-party gift card business; and adopting a market-based approach to health care.
