The Story Behind FMI’s Grocery Industry Benchmarking Research, Now 70 Years Old

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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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.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of The Food Retailing Industry Speaks report. Throughout the decades, this research has documented important benchmarks and facts and figures of food retailers and wholesalers. The report’s value can be measured by the countless ways in which the data have been used.

By: Sue Wilkinson, Senior Director, Information Service & Research, FMIThis year marks the 70th anniversary of <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/food-retailing-industry-speaks">The Food Retailing Industry Speaks</a> report.<a sfref="[images|OpenAccessDataProvider]04cd3403-24aa-6724-9237-ff0000c12749" href="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/speaks-history.jpg?sfvrsn=2e66536e_0"><img sfref="[images|OpenAccessDataProvider|tmb%3Alarge-350-]04cd3403-24aa-6724-9237-ff0000c12749" src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/speaks-history.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=2e66536e_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" title="Speaks History" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Speaks History" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></a> Throughout the decades, this research has documented important benchmarks and facts and figures of food retailers and wholesalers. The report’s value can be measured by the countless ways in which the data have been used: <ul><li>By members desiring to make informed business decisions.</li><li>By FMI in regulatory comments and testimony on the Hill.</li><li>In trade and business news stories. </li><li>By students from grammar school to postdoctoral programs. </li><li>And the list goes on. </li></ul>It’s because of the vision of leaders of the Super Market Institute (one of FMI’s predecessor associations) that we have this report today. Here’s the backstory.Since 1944, Super Market Institute (SMI) tried to develop a comprehensive research program to study the operations of a then nascent grocery industry. After some disappointing attempts, in January 1949, under the leadership of its president, Sidney Rabb (also Chairman of Stop & Shop), SMI utilized the Marketing and Research Department of Stop & Shop as the research department for the Institute. It was headed up by <a href="https://alumni.neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/docs/Harvard_Professorsips_Book_1721-1992.pdf">William Applebaum</a> and <a href="https://www.coloradoan.com/story/announcements/2015/06/11/curt-kornblau/71037270/">Curt Kornblau</a>, two familiar names to some readers.In that same year, Kornblau was released to the Institute by Rabb and together with Applebaum, they brought out the first edition of The Super Market Industry Speaks. Kornblau would serve FMI as senior vice president until his retirement in 1994. Applebaum, after working in management for Stop & Shop until 1953, became an industry consultant, and throughout his career authored many books and articles about the industry.If there is any doubt about the importance of the first edition of Speaks, let me share this tribute to William Applebaum found this past summer in the FMI archives. It reads:To William Applebaum A seeker after truth to serve his fellow manIn appreciation for the comprehensive study “The Super Market Industry Speaks” a research project that will long endure as a living testimonial to his vision, his knowledge, and his intellectual integrity.He has earned the respect, the affection, and the gratitude of the industry which he has served with such selfless devotion --and whose cause he has done so much to advance.A Resolution “In Appreciation” by the Officers and Directors of Super Market Institute May 8, 1949The leadership of SMI would be pleased to know just how much this research has long endured thanks to the many companies that contribute invaluable data every year. Now that you know the story of how Speaks came to be, I urge you to download the 2019 report and see how the grocery industry is performing today.<a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/food-retailing-industry-speaks" sfref="[f669d9a7-009d-4d83-ddaa-000000000002]6d9f0703-24aa-6724-9237-ff0000c12749" class="button-secondary">Download the Food Retailing Industry Speaks</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.