Progressive Grocer - March 2009 - (Page 18)

Independents Report Big ideas for the smaller grocer New Day Dawning FMI’s recent Midwinter Executive Conference served as a showcase for the agendas of new leaders — both of the trade organization and the United States. I ging consumer confidence and a new administration in Washington, D.C., Sarasin remains focused. t was a business card that I knew for sure I “The Food Marketing Institute wanted to keep, so I tucked it into my desk is here to serve the industry and drawer when I traveled back to Ohio after consumers and, of course, our meeting Leslie G. Sarasin at the Friends of the members,” she said. “All of our Industry Dinner held two years ago at FMI’s members, including retailers and Midwinter Executive Conference. wholesalers, both international and I was lucky enough to be seated next to Sarasin at domestic, and independents, the event, and felt one of those immediate connec- regionals and nationals.” tions when we introduced ourselves to one another. She added, “We will do our job Leslie G. Sarasin I specifically remember sharing stories about our well — and we will shape the unique food industry experiences — hers as the pres- future of the industry to everyone’s benefit.” ident and CEO of the American Frozen Food InstiWithout a doubt, those in attendance at the FMI tute, and mine as a longtime independent-retailer- Midwinter Executive Conference, which was held in turned-writer for Progressive Grocer. And by the end Orlando, Fla., benefited from an outstanding agenda of the evening, I had that feeling — and hope — organized by Sarasin and her staff that included a numthat our paths would someday cross again. ber of accomplished food industry leaders and others. Just a few weeks ago, they did. It was during this Two of my favorites, perhaps because of their year’s Midwinter Executive Conference that Sarasin was seemingly great appeal to independent grocers in formally introduced as the new president and CEO of the attendance, were the presentations of Peter Lynch, Arlington, Va.-based Food Marketing Institute (FMI). chairman, president and CEO of Winn-Dixie Stores, The first woman to be appointed to the high-pro- and CNN senior correspondent David Gergen. file position, she presided over the event with enthuLynch, a 30-year veteran of the retail food indussiasm and aplomb, setting the tone for what members try who prior to joining Winn-Dixie was president are favorably referring to as “a new day” at FMI. and COO of Albertson’s, Inc., shared his experience of successfully navigating Winn-Dixie through its Focus in a Challenging Time recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Having inherited a solid foundation from leadThe exec stressed Winn-Dixie’s commitment to ers who came before her, Sarasin, prior to sharing her meeting the needs of each individual neighborhood, own vision for FMI, praised during her opening through its program of investing approximately $2 remarks the work of Bob Aders — who launched the million per store on remodels. trade organization in 1977 and created critical out“It used to be that a Winn-Dixie was a Winnreach to consumers, the media and government — Dixie, no matter where it operated,” he explained. and Tim Hammonds, whose most important work “Today, we operate with five neighborhood sets: galvanized coordinated industry efforts on food safety, affluent, resort, Hispanic, kosher and urban.” organized retail crime, electronic interchange fees and Lynch, who joined the FMI board of directors in ongoing member education. 2005 and is perhaps most respected More ONLINE Energized by the challenges throughout the industry for his For additional information ahead at FMI, whose members extensive experience in restructuron independent operate over 26,000 food stores and ing and merging company operaretailers, go to 14,000 pharmacies, through tions, asset rationalization and Progressivegrocer.com unprecedented economic times, lagexpense reduction for major chains, By Jane Olszeski Tortola A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T acknowledges that reorganizing a Fortune 500 company with annual sales in excess of $10 billion was more than challenging. “But we’re definitely on the right track, and I feel fortunate to have gone through the process,” he said. It was after listening to the words of CNN’s Gergen, who is also a professor in the psychology department at Harvard University, that I sensed retailers feeling perhaps more at ease with the recent transfer of power in Washington. Obama and the Food Industry Gergen, who was assigned to transition headquarters, where he got to know members of the Obama administration, spoke at FMI Midwinter courtesy of the Kraft Foods Lecture Series. “There are many in Washington and throughout the country feeling that Obama is a better, complete package,” explained Gergen. “He’s very focused and rooted in a huge power of concentration.” He continued: “While he may lack leadership experience, Barack Obama is much like former President Ronald Reagan in that he is very emotionally balanced. He’s very punctual, he works out and reads every day, eats a balanced diet and enjoys playing basketball and watching ESPN. Moreover, he is very much into the Internet and the millennial generation.” With the economic stimulus package and energy reform at the top of the new president’s agenda, as well as, of course, the Iraq war, Gergen predicts that issues impacting the food industry, such as health care, will come later during his tenure. “Obama is a much more middle-of-the-road Democrat, and he’s already reaching across the aisle,” he concluded. “He understands the enormity of the job and knows that not one person can do it. It takes a team. It takes a nation.” Independent Retailing Editor Jane Olszeski Tortola can be reached at JanieOT@aol.com. www.progressivegrocer.com 18 • Progressive Grocer • March 2009 http://www.Progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

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

Progressive Grocer - March 2009
Contents
Front End: Ahold Banners Launch 'Major Consumer Wellness Initiative'
Nielsen's Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: Frozen Foods/One-Food Oriental Entrees
Market Snapshot: Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Independents Report: The New Agenda at FMI - And in Washington
Lempert Report: What Shoppers Will Demand in 2009
Wake-Up Call: Back to the Future
Progressive Views: Looking Forward
Frozen & Refrigerated Trends: Staying Cool
Store of the Month: Straub's Newest Family Member
FutureView Introduction: Great Expectations
Futureview: Magnetic Core
Honey: Sweet Sensation
Organic/Natural Cereal: The New Face of Breakfast Sales
FutureView: Home-Cooked Homecoming
2009 Meat Operations Review: Solid Ground
2009 Seafood Operations Review: Rough Seas
Pharmacy: A Destination for Health
Technology FutureView: Retail 3.0
Equipment FutureView: Sustainable Differentiation
What's Next: Editors' Picks for Innovative Products

Progressive Grocer - March 2009