The Need for Training in Food Retail

By: Lucas Darnell, Director of Membership, Eastern Region, Food Marketing Institute

I meet with a lot of FMI members to learn more about their businesses and how FMI can serve them best. In nearly every meeting, I’m involved in a discussion about the need for tactical training in supermarket business and management basics. Our members continuously stress the need to get their people the training they need to be successful. FMI is working to fill the gaps for the grocery industry and demonstrate its’ attractiveness as a career.

At the forefront of professional development is FMI’s own signature event, the Future Leaders eXperience. Reflecting today’s workplace realities, the Future Leaders eXperience, which will be held June 11-13 in Chicago, will take an innovative learning-laboratory approach that compels participants to work together as cross-company, cross-functional teams as they challenge assumptions and move out of their comfort zones. While participants hone management skills, digest valuable industry content and connect with new colleagues, they will experience what it is like to take on the responsibilities and opportunities of today’s industry leaders.

There are other opportunities for training as well. Longtime grocery educator and FMI strategic partner Harold Lloyd of Harold Lloyd Presents and Paolo Goelzer, president of the IGA Coca-Cola Institute, are teaming up to present the Supermarket Management Class 2.0, to be held May 8-11, 2017 in Chicago. The course is, “a deep dive into really practical solutions for both the common and the more challenging problems operators experience in their stores each day.” 

FMI recently started to engage more closely with universities and colleges by creating a membership category for them, so that they may engage more closely with retailers and point their students towards careers in food retail. FMI’s newest member, the Niagara University Food Marketing Center of Excellence, will hold the 2017 Food Innovation Summit on April 20 at The Conference & Event Center in Niagara Falls, NY. Executives from retailers and suppliers alike will share industry best practices and offer perspectives to ensure innovation success.

Can’t make it to an event?  FMI offers an online resource for education and training on its website. Visit the FMI Online Education Training Portal to find the resources that are available to you. Over 100 food retail related courses are available in the following areas:  leadership, sales techniques, safety, pharmacy, product knowledge and computer skills.

My advice—keep watching this space for more information about the Future Leaders eXperience and other opportunities to give your team the tools they need for your company to thrive.