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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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Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

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.

The private brands work FMI performed in 2017 focused on transparency, research and exploring lessons learned and opportunities from other countries. While perhaps not as catchy as Julius Caesar’s “Veni, vidi, vici - We came, we saw, we conquered,” there is some truth to the notion that last year, we learned, we got clear, we explored new opportunities.

<p dir="ltr">By: Doug Baker, Vice President, Private Brands &amp; Technology, Food Marketing Institute<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/private-brands-2017.png?sfvrsn=44ba7a6e_2" data-displaymode="Original" alt="Private Brands 2017" title="Private Brands 2017" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">The private brands work FMI performed in 2017 focused on transparency, research and exploring lessons learned and opportunities from other countries. While perhaps not as catchy as Julius Caesar&rsquo;s &ldquo;Veni, vidi, vici - We came, we saw, we conquered,&rdquo; there is some truth to the notion that last year, we learned, we got clear, we explored new opportunities.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">On the transparency front, private brands saw both benefits and challenges from some of the big topics facing the food retail industry. Although we received some relief on the timing of Nutrition Labeling and Education Act implementation and have most of the debate around GMO labeling legislation behind us, there remains work to be done on both fronts. The<a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/private-brands"> Private Brands Group Leadership Council</a> quickly adopted the mantra, &ldquo;A delay is only beneficial if you take advantage of it. Otherwise, it quickly becomes a deadline once again.&rdquo; Additionally, the Council formed a special task force to focus on the voluntary industry initiative,<a href="http://www.smartlabel.org/"> SmartLabel&trade;</a> . This task force will explore various options to move the initiative forward within the food retail industry and to our customers. The new<a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/private-brands/smartlabel-implementation-guide"> SmartLabel&trade; Implementation Recommendations</a> has been added to FMI.org to help companies implementing the transparency initiative to get started and think through obstacles and process.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">The Research &amp; Education subcommittee of the Council embarked on a new white paper that explores clean label trends, diving deeper into best practices and benefits of introducing this strategy as well as some key things to consider when building a program. This research will be completed in 2018. After significant positive feedback on the<a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/power-of-private-brands"> Power of Private Brands</a> research, the group started working on year two with a new chapter, &ldquo;From the Industry,&rdquo; and delivered key findings at the Private Brand D.C. Summit. Although private brands are back in growth mode after a couple of flat years, most gains are coming from non-traditional channels. The additional chapters of the report, &ldquo;From the Consumer,&rdquo; &ldquo;From the Industry,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Trends&rdquo; will be released over the first half of 2018 and the full report will be available on FMI.org.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Lastly, the Council held the 3rd Annual Private Brand D.C. Summit in October with a number of key industry topics for the attendees to explore and discuss. Back by popular demand was our &ldquo;meet the retailer&rdquo; segment featuring Denmark retailer, Dagrofa&rsquo;s Michael Rehbak. Michael, director of private brands, shared the evolution of moving from a &ldquo;private label&rdquo; program to a &ldquo;private brand&rdquo; program and how it helped them compete more effectively with new food discount retailers.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Summit attendees also discussed Council research projects focused on clean label, Power of Private Brands &ndash; From the Industry, and Category Management &ldquo;2.1.&rdquo; To round out the experience attendees visited the historic Ukraine Embassy for a reception and learned more about the Ukrainian Brands Summit. In addition to experiencing food and culture from a different country, attendees had the opportunity to spend time with both the Ukraine Ambassador to the U.S. and the Ukrainian Minister of Finance.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">As the food retail industry faces challenges from omnichannel, emerging technologies, workforce changes and more, private brands can play an important role in supporting a food retail company by establishing and strengthening its brand. Our work this past year is helping companies face these challenges head on. </p> <div>&nbsp;</div>

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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.

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OMEGA Members Receive a 3.4% discount

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