Energy Trends Reflecting Today’s Shopper

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.

Contrary to numerous media stories, Millennials are still seeking in-store shopping experiences despite their growing interest in ecommerce. Retailers are working to create energy-efficient and sustainable shopping environments to not only meet the demand of shoppers, but reduce the burden of operating costs.

By: Laurie Gethin, Director, Education, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/20161208-fmi-1192_ed.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=93c8786e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Lighting in Grocery" title="Lighting in Grocery" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />Contrary to numerous media stories, Millennials are still seeking in-store shopping experiences despite their growing interest in ecommerce. When it comes to in-store experiences, this generation is also most apt to judge a company by its business ethics and sustainability practices, reports <a href="http://www.fmi.org/grocerytrends">U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2017.</a> Retailers are working to create energy-efficient and sustainable shopping environments to not only meet the demand of shoppers, but reduce the burden of operating costs. For energy professionals in food retail, technology advancements have been driving decision making for short-term, medium-term and long-term strategic thinking. According to <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/food-retailing-industry-speaks">The Food Retailing Industry Speaks</a><a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/food-retailing-industry-speaks"> </a><a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/food-retailing-industry-speaks">2017</a>, 78 percent of respondents report that energy costs have a negative impact on sales. With this challenge, a popular topic for energy and systems managers remains how the industry can turn energy-using equipment into revenue-producing assets and to constructs greener stores we know shoppers seek. Attendees at the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/ESD2017">2017 Energy and Store Development (ESD) Conference</a> took a deep dive into the challenges, trends, and solutions for the industry. ESD Committee member, Andrew Goldberg, senior energy project manager at Hannaford Supermarkets, shares his perspective: “There was such a focus on future trends, alternative refrigeration strategies, and current events that connected how our industry fits in the transforming world,” explained Goldberg. “The conference is the perfect overlap between energy, refrigeration, store development and food retail. Everything presented is very applicable to my world, which makes it worth the time invested.”  Conference sessions provide insights on hot topics, changing trends, and how to prepare for the future. And, opportunities to collaborate with energy leaders serving food retail is a great way to find solutions to today’s demands.  According to Goldberg, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for any retailer, of any size. The key is to have a clear strategy of what you want to achieve, and find partners who can help you execute it.  Goldberg continued, “The overlap between food retail and energy can be so small, that finding the vendors and contractors who are experts in this technology is challenging. At ESD, the manufacturer-retailer exchange is a great way to review new products and technologies that I would not have seen. The more knowledgeable you are of the industry, the more value you can bring to your organization.”  To learn more from the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/ESD2017">2017 Energy and Store Development Conference</a>, read <a href="https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2017/12/11/what-will-the-role-of-store-development-be-in-the-digital-age-of-food-retail">“What Will the Role of Store Development Be In The Digital Age of Food Retail?”</a>,“<a href="https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2017/08/16/creating-a-food-theater-in-your-store">Creating a Food Theater in Your Store</a>,” and “<a href="https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2017/11/29/how-industry-trends-and-technology-will-influence-the-future-of-physical-stores">How Industry Trends and Technology Will Influence the Future of Physical Stores</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.