LAUREL, Md. -- For the second year in a row, the Retail Bakers of America here is singling out leading supermarket bakery and deli departments from around the country for awards of excellence.
The Leading Edge awards will be presented at RBA's annual convention-exposition April 9 to 12 in St. Louis. The awards are being co-sponsored by Supermarket News and RBA, and will be given to those in-store operations that exemplify excellence in deli-bakery merchandising.
McMillan/Doolittle, a retail consulting firm based in Chicago, will judge the nominations and present the awards in a conference session designed not just to honor the winners, but to give the audience true insight into what makes these leading operations work. "I think the awards process is good for the industry," said Peter Houstle, executive vice president of RBA. "It recognizes the innovators, and that's important when you're trying to motivate your staff and your company."
Nominations for the awards are being accepted through March 1 from bakery and deli in-store retailers, top corporate management, as well as suppliers. Voters are asked to nominate those stores they believe are most worthy of the awards, with two selections for bakery and two for deli in any marketing area in the country. They are also asked to say why they have made their choices.
Individuals wishing to nominate retailers for the Leading Edge awards who have not received ballots in the mail may call SN at (212) 630-4750 to have a ballot mailed or faxed to them. Responses should be mailed to McMillan/Doolittle, 240 E. Ontario, Suite 201, Chicago, Ill. 60611, or faxed to the consulting firm's office at (312) 944-6518, Attention: Leading Edge Awards.
