ARLINGTON, VA – March 13, 2012 –The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has long-supported the achievements and value independent store operators bring to its membership, and so it is appropriate that the first day of FMI2012 - FMI’s food retail trade show - will be declared Independents’ Day and dedicated to activities focused on the unique needs of the independent operator.

Chairman of the FMI Independent Operator Committee Kevin Davis, president and CEO of Bristol Farms, Inc., and a member FMI’s Board of Directors, said, “I encourage all wholesalers to consider the FMI2012 event as an opportunity to draw attention to the business needs of their customers by urging the Independent Operators to attend. FMI2012 is the perfect event for all of us to get outside of our community stores and engage with our entire industry."

The program for FMI2012, April 30-May 3, will feature an education track unique to the professional needs of the independent operator, including results of a 2012 survey on store manager success; the impact of the ‘local’ movement; shopper strategies and how to increase sales per customer; and effective uses of marketing dollars. FMI will kick off April 30 with a hard-hat tour for independent operators, offering a sneak peek behind the scenes and a way to map out their show experiences.

“FMI hosts its largest event for the food retailing community, carving out distinct focus areas relevant to the dynamic businesses we represent,” FMI president and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin said. “We want to create an environment at the FMI2012 that’s inclusive for all food retailers and especially meaningful for our independent operator members.”

For Media:

• Deadline for early bird registration at FMI2012 is March 30, 2012.


• Follow @FMI_ORG and use the hashtag #FMI2012


• Media interested in participating in the hard hat tour with Independent Operators can contact Heather Garlich at 202-220-0616