In addition to leading daily store walks with her team, Brittany has guided this location into a new and better path. You might even call it a U-turn.

In less than a year under her direction, this store has made a financial turnaround, posting significant year-over-year sales growth. That lift was fueled by high-margin product placement strategies, optimized inventory and a successful move to combat shrink, along with gains in labor productivity.

In tandem with labor productivity, the strong store performance was accompanied by an above-industry-average score on the associate engagement survey, which was also the highest in her retail division. Such high marks signal Brittany’s deftness at achieving operational results and leading people through everyday interactions as well as daily huddles, walks and weekly meetings.

On her most recent internal associate engagement survey, her store received an impressive score of 86% on the question, “I understand how my work supports the goals of my team.” The survey results are even more notable considering that this store is located in a small community with a limited workforce. While her Family Fare has remained fully operational and staffed, many local businesses have struggled to maintain consistent operations, and some have been forced to close early due to worker shortages.

In another reflection of her leadership, Brittany’s store has gone two years without a recordable safety incident. That milestone was attributed in part to her emphasis on open communication and encouragement of proactive behavior among associates to report potential risks. Brittany also recognized team members who contributed to the safe environment.

Her rising-tides-lift-all-boats approach extends to community outreach. Brittany has spearheaded several special events and volunteer programs and encouraged active participation in local organizations. She and her team donate 250 pumpkins to a local college every year for its Harvest Festival, and her strategic approach to upselling through an in-store program centered on “One More Item” has led to the donation of thousands of dollars’ worth of products to a local food pantry and area school snack programs.

She has accomplished a lot during her current short tenure. Brittany’s promotion to store director last summer was well-timed and well-deserved, according to her award nominators. She was elevated to her current management position following a successful term as an assistant store director with SpartanNash, a role that provides her with the skills needed to grow operational excellence and team engagement.

Her location is now positioned for long-term success, parent company SpartanNash reports, with demonstrated momentum in growth. That puts the U-turn in the rear-view mirror, as she and her team move forward on a straighter path.