Eating and Shopping Well — An Independent Operator Experience - OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

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.

Food retailers, particularly independent operators, are uniquely positioned to be a resource in helping shoppers eat well by offering knowledge, support, inspiration and advice.

By: Lucas Darnell, Director of Member Relations and Advocacy for Eastern U.S., Food Marketing Institute  <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/produce/20171205-fmi-store-shoot-0180_ed.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=12c1786e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="20171205-FMI-Store Shoot-0180_ed" title="20171205-FMI-Store Shoot-0180_ed" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />Grocery stores have become an increasingly important ally for the consumer in eating healthy. Shopper confidence in the primary food store has never been higher. Food retailers, particularly independent operators, are uniquely positioned to be a resource in helping shoppers eat well by offering knowledge, support, inspiration and advice. <h4>Consider the following statements from FMI’s US Grocery Shopper Trends 2018:</h4> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li>Brick-and-mortar grocery remains the centerpiece of the many channels that shoppers use to fulfill their eating-well and shopping-well desires, continuing to deliver the preferred experience of choice, fresh quality and connection.</li> <li>In a direct comparison, brick-and-mortar remains differentiated from online for its expertise in fresh categories and its service.</li> <li>While online is emerging as a player in center store, brick-and-mortar retains trust in the categories most aligned with quality.</li> </ul> As I visit stores across the country, it’s hard not to notice the focus on local, healthy products that are being highlighted by independents, right in the front of the store. You see the many stories of local suppliers and the products they offer when you walk through the stores. All questions can usually be answered by a knowledgeable and smiling staff, which are ready to help whenever the customer needs it. Independent operators are the gatekeepers of eating well and shopping well, with their ability to be nimble and provide the absolute best in fresh categories and personal experiences from a service stand point. While the grocery world expands and offers more options, this is further evidence that the good ol’ grocery store is alive and well…and poised for a successful future! <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends" class="button-secondary">Download U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends</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.