Observations from Groceryshop—Through an FMI Lens

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.

In his June address to an audience of 6,000 at their annual associates and shareholders celebration, Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc. shared, “If I oversimplify our ability to thrive in the future, it comes down to one thing: our ability to solve problems together well enough and fast enough.” Later in his presentation, he expanded on change, saying, “Retail will change more in the next five years than it has in the last 50.” McMillon’s two statements ring true as I reflect on my time at Groceryshop 2019. Here are some takeaways from the event.

<p>By Margaret Core, Vice President, Marketing & Industry Relations, Food Marketing Institute<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/groceryshop-2019.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=a8bd536e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Groceryshop 2019" title="Groceryshop 2019" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /></p> <p>In his June address to an audience of 6,000 at their annual associates and shareholders celebration, <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2019/06/07/doug-mcmillon-to-associates-heres-how-walmart-will-thrive">Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc.</a> shared, “If I oversimplify our ability to thrive in the future, it comes down to one thing: our ability to solve problems together well enough and fast enough.” Later in his presentation, he expanded on change, saying, “Retail will change more in the next five years than it has in the last 50.”</p> <p>McMillon’s two statements ring true as I reflect on my time at <a href="https://groceryshop.com/">Groceryshop 2019</a>. Here are some takeaways from the event:</p> <h5>Partnership Is Still Essential</h5> <p>When tackling technology solutions, there is a need for retail, CPG, and tech providers to come together and share conversations, best practices and strategic insights in order to find opportunities that might be right for their specific business needs.  </p> <h5>Retail Teams Are Changing</h5> <p>Retailer teams are becoming more cross-functional and better at decision making across functional areas. We were thrilled to see FMI retail members send larger teams to Groceryshop 2019, showing that explorations and decisions are being tackled in cross-functional teams. The roadmap to a successful digital strategy is built on organizational collaboration and integration.</p> <h5>Customer Data Requires Building Trust</h5> <p>Every food retail company has one thing in common right now—without meaning to, they have become proprietors of a new kind of trust dealing with customer data. The flip side of acquiring consumer data is that customers hold the food retailer to certain expectations—namely, taking steps to safeguard their privacy. What are you doing to build data trust and privacy? How are you preparing for the coming privacy revolt? Pay attention to the signs, so you can have a strategy in place.</p> <h5>Shopping Is Changing</h5> <p>Customers are using online tools during their awareness and discovery shopping process as well as to purchase online and offline. Retailers and brands need to adapt and roll out new models to deliver on rising customer expectations. Omnichannel retail models require retailers and brands alike to reinvent how they deploy people, technology, marketing and media. Highly engaged omnichannel shoppers are critical to growth, but how do you pivot to take advantage of the opportunity to win them over?</p> <h5>Resources from Groceryshop 2019</h5> <p>As a partner with Groceryshop, we’re delighted to share:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li><a href="http://em.shoptalk.com/b00006TKSLd0F43H030qA8b">Videos</a> of general session keynotes approved for sharing.</li> <li>1,000+ <a href="http://em.shoptalk.com/UqI408F0KT0L6S033b000eA">photos</a> of the event.</li> <li>Some of the extensive <a href="http://em.shoptalk.com/b00006TKSLf0F43J030qA8b">media coverage</a>, including in <em>Business Insider</em> and <em>Forbes</em>.</li> <li>Must see videos from the <a href="http://em.shoptalk.com/lSTqK000K3A40F3680b0g0L">“Get to Know the Speaker Series” filmed onsite</a>.</li> </ul> <p>We’re looking forward to <a href="http://em.shoptalk.com/AS0Q08LT30b634q00K0m0AF">Groceryshop 2020</a>, which will take place on Sept. 14-17, 2020 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.</p> <p>Our next stop is <a href="https://www.fmi.org/midwinter-conference/fmitech@">FMItech@Midwinter</a>, Jan. 24-27, 2020, where retailers and CPG will continue to share ideas with solution providers with Tech Talks, Tech Exchange meeting tables and more.  </p> <p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/omnichannel" class="button-secondary">Omnichannel Resources</a></p>

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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.