Canadian Retailer - Store 2017 - 52

STORE 2017 GRAND PRIX AWARD

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

LONGO'S TRADITION OF
FRESHNESS HONOURED

Canadian grocer recognized for a lifetime dedicated to service and quality
BY STUART FOXMAN

ANTHONY Longo remembers a piece of long ago advice
The company's values are also evident in
from a succession planning coach. Make sure the family how it tries to make a difference through philserves the business, not the other way around. "We're a anthropy. The Longo Family Charitable Foundifferent kind of company," Longo has said.
dation is dedicated to children's and women's
Family values are central to the operation of Longo's, charities, with a particular interest in health
which operates 25 full-service grocery stores around the and fostering a sense of family and community.
Greater Toronto Area, five urban stores in Toronto under
Longo himself also gives back by serving
The Market by Longo's banner, and grocerygateway.com, on the boards of The Food Marketing Instithe leader in online sales of home-delivered groceries.
tute, The Grocery Foundation, Humber ColThere are many ways to measure a company's success, lege, and Salt + Light Catholic Television.
like sales, revenues, expansion and innovation. Longo, President and CEO of "FOR ME, OUR FAMILY AND OUR COMPANY,
Longo's since 1998, points to other signs, THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN TO
too. Under his leadership, the company GROW THE BUSINESS SUCCESSFULLY WHILE
has been named one of Canada's 10 most
STAYING TRUE TO OUR VALUES."
admired corporate cultures and 50 best
- ANTHONY LONGO
managed companies.
Longo's
That matters to Longo, who joined the family business
in 1982 after getting his business degree. And it mattered
Why does he love the retail sector? Many
to his father Tommy and uncles Joe and Gus, who opened retailers feed consumer needs, but grocery
a fruit market on Toronto's Yonge Street in 1956. The three does that literally. He says people rely on Lonbrothers aimed to provide not just the best food but the go's for food that's safe, delicious, nutritious
best customer experiences. That hasn't changed as Lon- and affordable.
go's has grown.
After 35 years in the business full-time (he
On May 31, 2017, Retail Council of Canada awarded helped out as a student, too) and almost 20
Longo the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement years at the helm, Longo has an appetite to
Award. It recognizes outstanding service to Canada's gro- constantly improve. He and the other sencery industry.
ior leaders have worked hard to create an
A strong work ethic and living its values of honesty, environment where people can grow and be
trustworthiness and mutual respect is what the founders their best. After all these years, and many
believed in, says Longo. Quality and service can be cap- changes in the industry, his biggest chaltured in what the company calls a "fresh tradition". Hon- lenge as a leader is maintaining the corporate
our the heritage of the company, while looking forward to culture started by his father and uncles.
introducing unique offerings and new ways of exceeding
"For me, our family and our company," Loncustomer expectations.
go once said, "the greatest achievement has
That's central to Longo's mission, his 17 family members been to grow the business successfully while
in the business and its 5,000 team members.
staying true to our values."

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