Grocery Business Hall of Fame 2023: In conversation Rod Sturtridge, president of Carlton Cards

First job in the business? Sales rep at Carlton Cards in Kingston, Ont. in 1983. At that time, grocery stores were just starting to add greeting cards to their assortments. How times have changed. The grocery channel has been of the largest points of distribution for decades now.

What do you like best about the industry? The people. I have met and worked with so many and grew up in this industry. They may have started in a warehouse or a store stocking shelves, and over the decades have worked their way through many critical jobs learning the business, which allowed for more thoughtful discussions.

What can the industry do better? Mentor the next generation of leaders to ensure they not only understand the numbers and the spreadsheets, but that they are engaged in the whole business. We need the next generation of leaders to want to make a life career out of this industry, and with it, create lifelong friendships.

A memorable career moment? It’s more of a time than a moment. It was during the pandemic. I was so impressed with how everyone managed to pivot and work together to keep the supply chains and retail outlets operating. It is a testament to the quality and dedication of the people employed in the grocery industry. It was a time of uncertainty and fear of the unknown, and everyone stepped up to the challenge.