Predicting the Transformation of Brick and Mortar Stores

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.

who frontpage

member frontpage

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 influential gamut of emerging in-store technologies captures the eyes of food retail idealists and realists alike.

By: Laurie Gethin, Director, Education, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/timothy-muza-572-unsplash.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=fb20426e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Technology in Grocery Stores" title="Technology in Grocery Stores" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />Futurologist Alvin Toffler garnered worldwide popularity for his predictions on social and technological progress in society. He accurately predicted the rise of the internet, cable television and consumerism as global trends. Toffler knew then what we’re living now: technology is the great growling engine of change. And this ever-evolving engine continues to run on all cylinders.  Per <a href="https://www.fmi.org/digital-shopper">FMI’s Digitally Engaged Shopper research with Nielsen</a>, we’re predicting that the grocery industry will reach $100 billion in online sales by 2023.  Seventy-two percent of all shoppers are expected to integrate digital purchasing into their overall food shopping rituals over the next five years. As technology redefines shopping experiences online, it will also transform traditional store experiences.  “Brick and mortar stores will continue to survive, but they’ll begin to host significant digital experiences,” said <a href="https://www.fmi.org/energy-and-store-development-conference/speakers#0f4b1d03-24aa-6724-9237-ff0000c12749">Thom Blischok, Chairman, and CEO, The Dialogic Group LLC, and strategic growth advisor to Nielsen</a> and its clients.  The influential gamut of emerging in-store technologies captures the eyes of food retail idealists and realists alike. Blischok, who is presenting at <a href="https://www.fmi.org/energy-and-store-development-conference/registration">FMI’s 2018 Energy & Store Development Conference</a> in September, will outline several ways technology will redefine store development: from interactive, storytelling food labels to mobile quality assessments for perishables that engage consumers as they shop, to even voice activation in-store.  Blischok added, “Using technology to make the shopping experience easier for customers and offering expertise that helps shoppers understand where products come from and how food can help their health and wellbeing will be the single largest retail differentiator moving forward.” When it comes to store development and technology integration, Blischok emphasizes it’s important to think about how shoppers will interact with the store.  “Organize for the short-term and strategize for transformative growth. Think about how to replace mundane tasks, so the store operates more flawlessly,” he said. It is <a href="https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2018/08/01/ai-powers-the-customer-experience">no longer just about the in-store shopping trip</a>, but about the experience that retail customers have at every touch point of the shopping experience (in-store, website, mobile app, click & collect, chatbots, home delivery, in-store engagement/experience, etc.). Hear more about Blischok and his session on “Unshackled Grocery Store Designs – 2025” at the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/energy-and-store-development-conference/registration">2018 Energy and Store Development Conference</a>.

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

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.