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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.

Retail foodservice has experienced robust growth in recent years that many retailers hope to build upon. FMI’s Power of Foodservice at Retail, sponsored by Hussman and The Shelby Report, strives to provide insights as to how to capitalize on this potential opportunity for the industry. While the report provides a wealth of information about meal planning and execution, buying habits, purchase motivations and preferences, here you will find our top 10 insights.

<p>By: Rick Stein, Vice President, Fresh Foods, Food Marketing Institute<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/deli/fmi-12092014_149_web.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=1be89a6f_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="FMI-12092014_149_WEB" title="FMI-12092014_149_WEB" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /></p> <p>As the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/rotisserie-chickens-the-nineties-gift-to-supermarkets-that-keeps-on-giving-1515061801?shareToken=staa5c96d32c574e1ab0596beaed6b6367&amp;reflink=article_email_share" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&nbsp;</span></em>recently reported, rotisserie chickens are the &ldquo;gift to supermarkets that keeps on giving.&rdquo; In today&rsquo;s highly competitive environment, food retailers are in search of ways to differentiate and grow. Is foodservice the solution? As FMI&rsquo;s <em><a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/food-retailing-industry-speaks">2017 Speaks </a></em>study revealed many food retailers are looking to foodservice as at least part of the solution by planning to expand their space allocation, product offerings and labor allocation specifically for foodservice. But what could be the new &ldquo;golden goose&rdquo; for grocery stores that rotisserie chickens have been for the past 20 years?&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>Retail foodservice has experienced robust growth in recent years that many retailers hope to build upon. FMI&rsquo;s <em><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/power-of-foodservice-at-retail-2018">Power of Foodservice at Retail</a></em>, sponsored by Hussman and The Shelby Report, strives to provide insights as to how to capitalize on this potential opportunity for the industry. &nbsp;While the report provides a wealth of information about meal planning and execution, buying habits, purchase motivations and preferences, below you will find our top 10 insights.&nbsp; </p> <ol> <li><strong>Focus on/optimize <span style="text-decoration: underline;">trip conversion</span>.</strong> While shoppers visit the store multiple times/week, shoppers typically buy foodservice only once every 3 weeks. Cross-promote foodservice with center store and other fresh departments within the store.</li> <li><strong>Strive to be <span style="text-decoration: underline;">top of mind</span>. </strong>When in a rush or not in the mood to cook, retail foodservice is not on the radar of most shoppers. Retailers need to treat their foodservice as its own business and create &ldquo;share of mind.&rdquo; </li> <li><strong>Maximize your <span style="text-decoration: underline;">share of market</span>.</strong> One-half of shoppers purchase grocery deli prepared at outlets beyond their primary store. Increasing awareness of foodservice offerings will serve to keep current customers at their primary store with higher rings and margins. </li> <li><strong>Leverage <span style="text-decoration: underline;">technology</span> to improve awareness</strong> of foodservice as a viable restaurant alternative. Shoppers often use technology to help with meal plans. Making efforts to have retail foodservice appear with restaurant options will open shoppers&rsquo; eyes to this option.</li> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Connect</span> with shoppers using technology.</strong> Most shoppers are willing to sign up to receive outreach about food service offerings, with email and text being the shopper-preferred methods. </li> <li><strong>Provide options for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">speed-focused shoppers</span>.</strong> These shoppers have interest in grab-and-go and heat-and-eat options, along with the ability to order ahead and dedicated foodservice checkout lanes. </li> <li><strong>Provide options for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">nutrition-focused</span> shoppers</strong> who deemphasize price and speed but value customization. Along with healthy options, transparency with respect to ingredients, quality and freshness are important to these shoppers. </li> <li><strong>Enhanced <span style="text-decoration: underline;">in-store amenities</span> to capture Millennials and urban shoppers.</strong> While less important than price, speed or nutrition, Millennials and urban shopper place high importance on amenities such as seating areas, free WiFi, table service, outside patios and even entertainment.</li> <li><strong>Targeted investment in expanded variety <span style="text-decoration: underline;">matched to the core shopper</span></strong> can win over shoppers at mealtime. While consumers want more options, the options need to be matched to the core shopper. Customization is also important to many shoppers, particularly frequent foodservice shoppers.</li> <li><strong>Consider <span style="text-decoration: underline;">meal kits</span></strong> along with made-to-order, self-serve buffets and grab-and-go to provide more time-saving solutions. Store-developed meal kits are a natural extension for foodservice. </li> </ol> Join us on Thursday, January 18<sup>th</sup> for a webinar that explores the <em>Power of Foodservice at Retail</em> in more detail. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=4BF9B000000037">Register at online</a>. For the full <em>Power of Foodservice at Retail</em> report and more FMI research, visit <a href="http://www.fmi.org/research">www.FMI.org/research</a>.&nbsp;<br />

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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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