FMI - OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

Each of us would like to be able to predict what we can expect during the first 100 days of a Trump administration, but in the midst of this speculation, there is one issue food retailers must ensure doesn’t get lost in the media frenzy. When the Senate and House reconvene in January, among the legislative items anticipated to receive a floor vote will be an attempt to eliminate the big bank oversight put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed in 2010. At stake in the consideration of the Financial CHOICE Act - Representative Jeb Hensarling’s legislation intended to repeal and replace Dodd-Frank - would be the loss of debit swipe fee reform established by the Durbin Amendment to Dodd-Frank.

Food retailers do much more than simply provide their customers with food items to purchase; they also feed the spirit of their community in acts of human kindness. The Community Outreach Awards highlight the oft-unmentioned goodwill of grocers that serve and shape our communities. We, at FMI, are continually amazed by the caliber of the nominated programs we receive and 2016 was no exception. The 14 nominated programs made it difficult for our judges to choose the best of the best in each category, but they managed. Here are the 2016 Community Outreach Awards Winners:

No matter how big or small, when merchants get a victory, we run with it. That is what last week’s announcement from Visa and MasterCard is—a win for retail. The two biggest card brands announced they are delaying EMV implementation from the original announced date of 2017 until 2020, largely due to migration challenges and lack of availability of equipment. The three-year delay is a relief for stores who are already working with and toward complete EMV implementation.

It just so happens, that FMI has twelve “gifts” to share this holiday season—our extensive list of education and networking events designed to help food retail professionals at every level of the industry enhance their careers and skill set. So, please forgive us as we endeavor to adapt the traditional tune to outline our conference and signature event offerings.

Are you ready for an FMI Midwinter Executive Conference like you’ve never experienced before? The invitation-only annual event will undergo a transformation this year, making it easier and more convenient for senior-level food retail executives to find the partners they’re looking for, get the vital information they need to grow their businesses and interact with their industry peers. Here’s what’s new in 2017.