7/26/2012
For the second time since 2006, Supermarket News, the only nationally circulated weekly trade magazine for the food distribution industry, has selected Hy-Vee as the winner of its Retail Excellence Award. As this year’s nominee, Hy-Vee joins Kroger Co. as the only retailers to be honored twice since the award was first introduced in 2003.
Each year the award recognizes a retailer that demonstrates innovative strategies that set it apart from the competition, shows a deep understanding of its customer base, and has had a positive impact on the food industry in developing solutions to grow its business.
When Hy-Vee was honored in 2006, associate editor Jon Springer highlighted Hy-Vee’s unique autonomy as an employee-owned company and its commitment to making health part of the brand.
This year’s award echoes those same sentiments as the consumer focus on nutrition continues to evolve.
“Hy-Vee has been a very successful operator in this industry for a long time, but its winning formula encompassing local autonomy, strong pricing and a focus on nutrition is more relevant today than ever,” said David Orgel, editor in chief of Supermarket News and in a press release announcing the magazine’s selection.
While the honor recognizes the overall brand, CEO Randy Edeker says it is more of a reflection of the work being done by the 62,000 helpful smiles in the company.
“This is great commentary on all of the hard work our employees do every day for our customers. They are the reason Hy-Vee is in a position to be recognized for this honor,” says Edeker. “On behalf of Hy-Vee, I couldn’t be more proud to receive the Retail Excellence Award from one of the leading publications in the industry.”
A feature article profiling Hy-Vee and the new 93,000-square-foot Urbandale store is scheduled to appear in the Sept. 3 issue of the magazine.