L.A.S.T: A Tool for De-Escalation

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.

How does a grocery store employee communicate with shoppers, particularly when they are agitated? What should they do when they observe shoppers calling one another out for failure to comply with these requirements? How should the grocery associate ask the shopper to comply? These are questions that store managers face as they navigate mask rules and new safety and sanitation regulations.

By Chad Ross, Manager, Industry Relations & Total Store Collaboration, FMI With help from <a href="https://www.rootinc.com/">Root Inc.</a>, FMI hosted a virtual session discussing de-escalation (<a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/conflictmanagement">De-Escalate: Tools for Conflict Management in the Grocery Store)</a>. Our conversation focused on how uncertainty can lead to fear, and fear can lead to tension. The grocery store is the one central external activity that everyone engages with, and because of this, grocery retail workers are sometimes faced with agitated and on-edge shoppers. How does a grocery store employee communicate with shoppers, particularly when they are agitated? What should they do when they observe shoppers calling one another out for failure to comply with these requirements? How should the grocery associate ask the shopper to comply? These are questions that store managers face as they navigate mask rules and new safety and sanitation regulations. While no two situations are the same, what we can control is how we approach tense moments that need to be deescalated. Remember to think L.A.S.T: <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/last-infographic.jpg?sfvrsn=1876d73b_0&MaxWidth=600&MaxHeight=&ScaleUp=false&Quality=High&Method=ResizeFitToAreaArguments&Signature=05B641FAA7A1E0684FDB215B7E44CF25" data-method="ResizeFitToAreaArguments" data-customsizemethodproperties="{'MaxWidth':'600','MaxHeight':'','ScaleUp':false,'Quality':'High'}" data-displaymode="Custom" alt="Last Infographic" title="Last Infographic" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /> We encourage food retailers to <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/industry-topics-doc/fmi-webinar-ta.pdf?sfvrsn=9eaa07ff_2">download and share the L.A.S.T. tool</a> with their employees and to continue the discussion of de-escalation best practices. Our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/fmi-crisis-management-guide-de-escalation">FMI Crisis Management Guide: De-Escalation</a> guide has additional resources and techniques.  <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/conflictmanagement" class="button">Watch The Webinar</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.