The Pandemic Has Not Stopped Me from Grocery Shopping In Person

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 ongoing pandemic has certainly put a crimp in my style. But I never stopped going to the grocery store. While COVID-19 fears shifted online grocery shopping spending from 14.5% to an astounding 27.9%, according to U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2020, for the first time in years I didn’t contribute to those stats at all.

By Bianca Ruffin, Senior Manager, Marketing, FMI <div class="mg-image--circular" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/center-aisle-carts-baskets/fmi-12092014_501-web.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=73ea9a6f_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="FMI-12092014_501-WEB" title="FMI-12092014_501-WEB" /></div> I have always found a sense of solace at the grocery store. There is something particularly calming, to me, about the produce section and it often informs the rest of my shopping. Seasonal items tend to take the forefront—fresh corn, why yes please! Garlic scapes? Don’t mind if I do! Watermelon radishes? Sure, I’ll try those! The ongoing pandemic has certainly put a crimp in my style. But I never stopped going to the grocery store. While COVID-19 fears shifted online grocery shopping spending from 14.5% to an astounding 27.9%, according to <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends">U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2020</a>, for the first time in years I didn’t contribute to those stats at all. This was somewhat due to grocery stores being the one and only place I could go for months. My favorite grocers had become an escape mechanism—being cooped up in the house made me stir crazy. To be fair, it wasn’t as relaxing a shopping experience as it had been before. Anytime someone got too close or lingered too long in front of the meat section I’d get frustrated. But the new normal has fully set in. I particularly appreciate how much care my primary grocery store has taken regarding the safety of their staff and customers. I, along with <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends">69% of shoppers</a>, feel like the response to COVID-19 by grocery stores has been great, if not excellent. And if you’d ask me whether grocers are on my side, I’d answer with a resounding, “Yes!” right along with <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends">62% of shoppers</a>. I have always enjoyed cooking at home and now I have even more time to focus on that skill set. For all the unease, unexpected change, and topsy-turvy “new normal,” grocery shopping and cooking have kept me anchored in a normal-normal. And for that, I am eternally grateful. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends" class="button">Download 2020 U.S. Grocery Shopper 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.