DAY ONE WRAP UP- GSF WEST RETAILER CONNECT AND THE 2020 INDEPENDENT GROCER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED!
MAY 11, 2021, TORONTO— May 11, 2021 marked the first full day for GSF West Live Retailer Connect. Following the remarkable success of GIC @HOME LIVE in November, 2020, the spring event features A.I. powered matchmaking meetings to grow business connections and sales.
COVID-19 has still taken a huge toll on many industries, but the CFIG has shown that through innovation and resilience, they have been able to overcome the challenges facing businesses in the grocery industry today. GSF West Live allows even more retailers to attend, because it bypasses the need for costly travel, expensive accommodation, and significant downtime from their stores.
Today’s roster of superb keynote speakers kicked off with RON TITE (The Purpose-Driven Leadership and Marketing Expert) who lectured on “Grocery Leadership Redefined.” This was followed by a closer look at what’s driving retail innovation, presented by NEIL STERN of Good Food Holdings and AMANDA LAI from McMillanDoolittle. Keynotes were followed by workshops that included an overview of key issues and concerns facing the sector and independents and why it makes good business sense to have an accessible online and in-store experience for customers with disabilities. This is content that truly makes GSF West Live an incredible value for the industry.
Retailers voted on their Top 10 picks for the Top 10 in Grocery Awards, which will be announced officially on May 12, 2021.
The day concluded with a virtual “mix and mingle” and the announcement of the 58th Annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Award winners.
2020 Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards ANNOUNCED!
The 58th Annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards was presented in front of a virtual audience of the country’s leading grocers, suppliers, and distributors at GSF WEST LIVE Retailer Connect 2021, Western Canada’s premier virtual meetings and conference event.
Each year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) Awards Program recognizes the success of outstanding independent retailers and offers insights into innovations that are changing and enhancing the way retailers compete.
The NATIONAL GOLD AWARD Winners for Top Independent Grocer of the Year for 2020 are:
Longo’s – Mount Pleasant, Brampton, ON (Large Surface)
Battistelli’s Your Independent Grocer, Lively, ON (Medium Surface)
Vince’s Market, Tottenham, ON (Small Surface)
DAVID C. PARSONS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN SPECIALTY FOOD RETAILING (GOLD):
Yummy Market-Maple – Maple, ON
SPECIAL AWARDS
CFIG is proud to announce that Bruce Logan, Jerry Liedtke, Glenn Logan, Scott Logan, and Russell Logan of Village Food Markets, Sooke, BC, are awarded THE ARNOLD RANDS HERITAGE AWARD. The award is given to the year’s best multi-generational store that is privately owned, and that has been in the same family for at least two generations, in the same community for 35 years.
CFIG is proud to announce the following grocers into the HALL OF FAME: Brooke and Linda Kynoch and Team, Safety Mart Foods, Chase, BC.
About the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards
The Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year is the most prestigious award CFIG can bestow.
Each year, independent grocers from coast-to-coast compete for the coveted title in each of the specialty, large, medium and small surface categories. Each of the competing stores is evaluated on retailing excellence and innovation, store team performance, customer service, space utilization, freshness and cleanliness.
Full list of winners can be downloaded here:
https://justinpoy.sharefile.com/d-s1daa4973991046bbb6921d7a179fa080
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