News Room

Store Managers Worldwide Compete With Success Stories of Outstanding Customer Service in Annual FMI Contest

May 6, 2002
CHICAGO, IL — May 6, 2002 — Recognizing supermarket store managers who excel in customer service, Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced the winners of the Third Annual Supermarket Store Manager Customer Service Contest here at the 2002 FMI Show. Contest winners received free registration to the FMI Show and were honored at FMI’s annual banquet Sunday night.

“Supermarket store managers who understand the importance of courtesy and who always express a willingness to extend themselves for shoppers represent the best loyalty marketing program of all,” notes Kathi Trepper, FMI’s vice president of marketing and international services. “FMI is thrilled to present the store manager customer service award to honor those outstanding individuals who have truly gone above and beyond the call of everyday duties.”

Winners are:

Charles Fitzsimmons,
Bruno’s Supermarkets, Store 239,
Gardendale, AL

Paul McCarthy
Superquinn Carlow
Dublin, Ireland

Darcy Nutter,
Price Chopper Supermarket,
Bennington, VT

Doug York,
D & W Food Centers, Inc.
Grand Rapids, MI

Store managers were asked to send in their most innovative stories about how they have excelled in the area of customer service. Entries were judged on originality, creativity and significance of the customer service effort.
The contest was open to in-store managers employed by food retail, mass merchandise and convenience store operators anywhere in the world. More than 400 entries were received.

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion.  FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members. 

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