Historical Perception vs. Reality: Industry Attractiveness

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

I bet if you took a moment you could think of at least three people in the food retail industry who started their career as a cashier or bagger and now have a role leading the company. Can you think of three? More?

By: Carol Abel, Vice President, Education Program Development, FMI   <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/gen-z-report-image-2.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=f27bc2a8_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Gen Z Report" title="Gen Z Report Image 2" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> I bet if you took a moment you could think of at least three people in the food retail industry who started their career as a cashier or bagger and now have a role leading the company. Can you think of three? More? That’s because the food retail industry has long embodied the American dream—if you work hard, you’ll rise through the ranks and establish a strong career. This aspect of the food retail industry is one of our cornerstones—we’re honored to have so many among us who started out at the bottom and rose through the ranks. However, while our industry continues to value hard work, promotion from within and career development, the food retail industry offers traditional and not so traditional career paths these days. In <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/workforce-attractiveness-in-the-food-industry-how-to-recruit-gen-z">Workforce Attractiveness in the Food Industry: How To Recruit Gen Z</a>, developed under the Gerald E. Peck Fellowship with Saint Joseph’s University, we see the needs of the food retail industry are continuously changing. There are more and more new jobs opening up in the industry such as roles in technology like data analytics and robotics. In many ways the food retail industry has become an industry of innovation and experimentation as companies seek ways to solve the last-mile challenge, revamp to support rising ecommerce consumer demands and shift to a more data-informed supply chain that connects consumers to their food. It’s a fast-moving, dynamic industry creating new jobs, new roles and forging new solutions daily. Yes, the food retail industry has a past of supporting employees who started at the bottom and rose through the ranks, but the industry of today needs staff with legal, human resources, nutrition, pharmacy, food safety, asset protection, procurement, technology, data analytics and sales skill sets to support an evolving food landscape. Which is where Gen Z comes in. Our research finds that many Gen Zers are either not aware of or do not have full information on the many corporate roles that grocery retailers are attempting to hire or the career paths food retailers offer. The food industry, particularly food retailers, have an opportunity to showcase the variety of career options available to Gen Z. The <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/workforce-attractiveness-in-the-food-industry-how-to-recruit-gen-z">Workforce Attractiveness in the Food Industry: How To Recruit Gen Z</a> report outlines key recommendations for food retailers to better recruit Gen Z including: <ul> <li>Offering development programs.</li> <li>Presenting high salaries and quick promotions.</li> <li>Showcasing the variety of career options available.</li> <li>Highlighting company culture and ways food retailers contribute to communities.</li> </ul> It’s important to honor the past of the food retail industry, but it’s also important to showcase how the industry is evolving and the new opportunities within a food retail career. We encourage you to tell the stories online, in job recruitment venues and more of both those who rose through your ranks and those forging new pathways ahead. In the end, the spirit of hard work and entrepreneurialism is alive and well in our industry and leading us forward. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/workforce-attractiveness-in-the-food-industry-how-to-recruit-gen-z" class="button">Download Workforce Attractiveness in the Food Industry: How To Recruit Gen Z</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.