Culture NUGGET MARKET, INC. • SUMMER 2021
CHR O NI CLE S
Culture CHR O NI CLE S
B
ack and better than ever, the latest edition of the Culture Chronicles is here! Just like everything else we do, this tribute to our amazing team wouldn’t be possible without U. From serving guests on the front lines to keeping everything squeaky clean, addressing opportunities to reaching new
heights, AND doing it all with a smile, U are what makes Nugget Markets truly extraordinary. Now more than ever we’ve seen how important and powerful it is to have the right team by your side, and in the words of British rock band, Queen, “We are the champions!” #NuggetMarketsTeam
Do you know all our stores’ nicknames? Store 1: Aces
Store 14: Shark Tank
Store 2: Mighty Mace Mavericks
Store 15: The Icebox
Store 5: Florin Kings
Store 16: The Warriors
Store 6: Team Sixcess
Store 17: Bear Squad
Store 7: Wolf Pack
Store 21: Blackjack
Store 8: Gladi8tors
Store 30: Team 30 Rock
Store 9: Gold 9ers
Warehouse and NMK: The Hive
Store 10: The Perfect 10 Store 11: Phoenix Store 12: The Show
FUN FACT: Our newest Nugget Markets, Store 10, opened March 4 of this year. Welcome to the family, the Perfect 10!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 100 Best Companies to Work For............... pg 4 Benefits......................................................... pg 8 RAVE.............................................................. pg 18 Family............................................................ pg 22 Have Fun....................................................... pg 34 Positive Attitude........................................... pg 40 Trust............................................................... pg 44 Communication............................................ pg 50 Servant Leaders............................................ pg 56 Rewards & Recognition................................ pg 62 Community & Sustainability........................ pg 70
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We the
BEST! (well, technically #24, but you know...)
As a company, we have three main goals: guest satisfaction, constant improvement and to be a world-class employer. I am so proud of our teams for making these goals become a reality—they aren’t just words on a wall, they’re what we live by. We come together as an extended family and create an amazing culture. A culture that has fun and knows how to get things done! Thank you for being a part of our Nugget Markets family. You are the best! ERIC STILLE
Nugget Markets President/CEO
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A
t Nugget Markets, we’re not just an extraordinary grocery experience, we’re an extraordinary place to work! For the 16th year in a row, Nugget Markets claimed a spot on FORTUNE Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, coming in at #24 in the nation in 2021. We earned this ranking thanks to our world-class benefits, dynamic culture, pandemic response and, of course, feedback from you, our amazing team! Taking care of our team has always been a priority with our company, which is why we offer industry-leading wages, flexible work schedules and other amazing benefits. One of our biggest benefits is that we pay 100% of associates’ healthcare premiums for both full 6 |
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and part-time associates working at least 22 hours a week. And there’s a lot more where that came from! When it comes to COVID-19, we were one of the first companies in the nation to offer an additional “thank you” bonus pay, which has continued uninterrupted for more than a year! Not only that, as an additional thank you, we increased our discretionary 401(k) contribution by 1% last year, bringing our total match to 5%, and doubling the holiday bonus for every associate. Why do we go above and beyond to take care of our amazing team? Because you go above and beyond for our guests each and every day. Thank you, team—we appreciate U!
Sweet
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Our 16th year on FORTUNE’s “Best Companies to Work For” list also marks the addition of our 16th store—Nugget Markets West Roseville, a.k.a the Perfect 10!
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Got Great Benefits?
YES, WE DO!
SHERI BOONE Director of Payroll & Benefits
Nugget Markets is proud to offer associates great benefits from health and wellness to retirement and lots in between! Benefits@nuggetmarket.com
Feel Free To Reach Out!
ENGLISH: (530) 399-3355
(select the benefits option) SPANISH: (530) 399-3375
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RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ
JILLIAN MATTA
Human Resources - Benefits Team
Human Resources - Benefits Team
Got Leave? Having a baby? Going into surgery? Baby bonding? If need for a leave arises, contact the benefits team at Benefits@nuggetmarket.com or 530-399-3355 (select benefits option) to learn what options are available to you. SUMMER 2021 |
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Got Retirement? YES, WE DO!
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Retirement Benefits 401(k) Retirement Plan (with Company Match plus an Annual Discretionary Profit Sharing Contribution) that equated to 5% in 2020! Eligibility Requirements for 401(k) Participation Must be 20½ years of age and have 6 months of service. Empower will notify associates about enrollment.
Company Match Weekly, Nugget Markets will contribute 50% of the first 4% of associates’ contribution. Annual Discretionary Profit Sharing Contribution Has been historically 2% (3% for 2020) of eligible earnings; is applied to associates’ 401(k) accounts during the first quarter of the following year. (On a vesting schedule)
(100% vested)
Two Contribution Options Pre-tax 401(k) (traditional) and/ or after-tax 401(k) (ROTH)
Ease of Online Access account to perform contribution changes, fund allocations and more. Also, a great resource for helping you with retirement. www.empowermyretirement.com or 1-844-465-4455
Automatic 1% Increase to Contribution Rate Every July, an increase of 1% to those whose contribution is between 1% and 9% unless associates opt-out. Automatic Enrollment at 2% If associates do not elect a deferral, they will be autoenrolled at 2% of pay and contribute to the pre-tax option. The contribution rate can be changed at any time throughout the year.
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Got Health & Wellness? YES, WE DO!
Eligibility Requirements for Health Plan: There is a 60-day wait period (from date of hire) and associates must average 22 worked hours/week (yes, an average of only 22 worked hours/week for healthcare coverage!) in that timeframe. Insurance will be effective the first of the month following the 60-day wait period as long as enrollment has been completed and eligibility is met. To maintain coverage, associates will need to continue to work an average of at least 22 hours/week. Plan Year for the Health Plan runs January 1–December 31 annually. The month of November is the open enrollment month for any changes, which become effective in January.
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Group Health Care
(M E D I C A L , D E NTA L , V I S I O N , PR E SCR I P TI O N) **No Premium Cost for Associate Coverage with Anthem Blue Cross! Yes, you read it correctly, No Premium Cost for Associate Coverage with Anthem Blue Cross! ** PPO Medical Plan: No premium cost for associate coverage with Anthem Blue Cross! With a PPO plan, there is no need to receive a referral from your primary provider in order to see a specialist. Our medical provider network is Anthem Blue Cross Prudent Buyer and utilizing it will save you money! Dental Plan: No premium cost for associate coverage! Associates can go to their choice of dentist, however, preferred pricing is applied if the Anthem Blue Cross dental network is used and it will save you money! Orthodontic: No premium cost for associate coverage! Coverage is available through the dental plan! Vision Plan: No premium cost for associate coverage! Our plan is through VSP (Vision Service Plan). To find a provider, simply go to vsp.com. LiveHealthOnline: Medical professionals are available to assist with medical needs (including mental health wellness) via video visit. To access, go to www.livehealthonline. com, download the app, or call 1-844-784-8409. 24/7 Nurseline: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist associates enrolled in Anthem Blue Cross in determining the best course of action for their medical need. Just call 1-800-700-0196 (the phone number is also on the back of your health insurance card).
Flexible Benefits Plans: Dependent Healthcare Premium, Health Care Reimbursement & Dependent Care Accounts Dependent Healthcare Premium: No action is required by associates! The weekly dependent premium deduction will automatically come out of your check on a pre-tax basis. What does that mean? Associates do not pay federal, state or FICA taxes on this deduction! Health Care Reimbursement Account (a.k.a. Flexible Spending Account): Allows reimbursement on eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses on a pre-tax basis. What does that mean? Associates do not pay federal, state or FICA taxes on this deduction! Dependent Care Reimbursement Account: Allows reimbursement on eligible dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. What does this mean? Associates do not pay federal, state or FICA taxes on this deduction! Eligibility Requirements for Flexible Benefits Plans: Newly hired associates are eligible to enroll after a 60-day wait period (eligible at the same time as health) and plan becomes effective the first of the month following the 60-day wait period. Plan Year for Flexible Benefits Runs from January 1–December 31 annually. The month of November is the open enrollment month to enroll for the following year. Associates must re-enroll each year.
EAP (Employee Assistance Program): No Cost to Associates or their Families: EAP: No-cost resources that associates and their families can utilize for help and guidance in many areas including mental health, substance abuse and other professional counseling (up to 5 free visits).
EmployeeConnect: offers professional, confidential services to help you and your loved ones improve your quality of life. GuidanceResources.com Username: LFGSupport Password: LFGSupport1
LifeKeys: provides access to a wide array of services to help you and your loved ones through life’s ups and downs—and prepare you for whatever lies ahead. GuidanceResources.com First-time user: Click on “Register” Enter Web ID: LifeKeys
TravelConnect: is a comprehensive program that can bring help, comfort and reassurance if you face a medical emergency while traveling 100 or more miles from home. mysearchlightportal.com Enter Group ID: LFGTravel123
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Got Other Benefits?
YES, WE DO!
Associate 10% Discount Program/ U-Card Combination This program is designed to thank associates for all you do, and allows you to buy groceries at a 10% discount. • Associates receive their card within a couple of weeks of being hired. • This card is also your U-card. See your U-card image on company communications and win cash!
Company-Recognized Paid Holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day • Non-Worked Holiday Pay: After passing 90-day introductory period and working 20 hours in the holiday week, associates will receive either 4 or 8 hours (based on year-to-date average hours) of holiday pay. • Holiday Worked Pay: If associates work on a recognized holiday, they will be paid at 1½ times their hourly base rate for the worked shift. This is in addition to the non-worked holiday pay.
Vacation Pay • After 90-day introductory period, associates begin accruing vacation. Earn up to 5 weeks of vacation, depending on years of service. • Any unused vacation will carry over into the following year. • Associates may request a payout of available vacation without taking the time off.
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Paid Time Off (PTO) • Associates begin accruing PTO as of their hire date up to 56 hours per year. • Any unused PTO will carry over into the following year. • Associates may request a payout of available PTO without taking the time off.
Group Term Life Insurance (GTL): No Cost to Associates! • No Cost to associates and they are automatically enrolled and notified when eligibility is met. • Up to $60,000 death benefit, depending on years of service. • Eligibility Requirements for GTL: Must be 20½ years of age and average at least 22 hours per week over a 6-month measurement period.
Bereavement Pay • After being employed 1 year, associates are eligible to receive up to 3 paid days per calendar year to make arrangements and attend the funeral of eligible family members.
Scholarships • Nugget Markets is proud to award 12 separate $1000 scholarships annually to associates and dependents of associates.
Long Term Disability (LTD): No Cost to Associates! • No Cost to associates and they are automatically enrolled and notified when eligibility is met. • LTD pays up to 60% of pre-disability wages. • Eligibility Requirements for LTD: Associates must work for the company for 5 consecutive years and average at least 22 hours per week, averaged over a 12-month measurement period.
Note: These are only highlights! Please refer to the Associate Handbook and applicable Summary Plan Description (SPD) for complete details, or contact the Benefits Team.
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2021
Scholarship Winners Each year, Nugget Markets awards $12,000 in scholarships to associates or dependents of associates who are continuing their education. Scholarships are based on academic merit and evidence of outstanding character and leadership potential. If you’re pursuing your education, don’t forget to apply!
GENE & JOAN STILLE SCHOLARSHIPS Elxx Vanderpool - Store 1 Rashida Gumah - Store 5 Joseph Rodriguez, Dependent of Luis Rodriguez - Store 5 Cyrena Selden - Store 9 Aurora Schunemann - Store 12 Savannah Henderson - Store 21 Noemi Martinez - Store 17 Rebecca La Bad, Dependent of Ken La Bad Jr. - Store 21 Trejon Smith, Dependent of Dale Smith - Corporate
ADAM BAZARNIK SCHOLARSHIP Giovanni Garcia - Store 1
BARRY ASHCRAFT SCHOLARSHIP Daniel Ramos - Store 5
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U-Cards Now that our associate discount cards and U-Cards are one and the same, it’s even easier to save (and win!) money. Keep your U-Card handy to save 10% on groceries from our stores, and keep an eye out for your unique “U” design on company communications for your chance to earn cash rewards for staying in the know. Learn more about our communication program on page 51.
Associate Card Gene Stille 12345/9876 • A 10% discount will be applied when this card is scanned. Receipt must be filled out and signed for every purchase. • Only Nugget Market, Inc. associates and their immediate family members (with whom associates reside) may use this card. Card is non-transferrable. • This card may be used at any grocery store owned and operated by Nugget Market, Inc.
We appreciate your dedication and all you do. Thank you!
It Pays to Get Vaccinated! Thinking about getting vaccinated? Any associates who wish get the shot(s) will receive a $100 “thank you” bonus once they’re fully vaccinated. As of May 2021, 64% of our entire company has been vaccinated— we’re well on our way to Nugget Markets herd immunity!
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There is only one race... the human race! MACK STILLE
Nugget Markets Cofounder
W
hile many things have changed this last year, our dedication to RAVE and all it stands for is stronger than ever. To Respect, Appreciate and Value Everyone is more than one of our core values—it’s a cornerstone of our culture, serving as a guidepost for how we take care of our guests, communities and each other. As you can tell by the wise words from our cofounder, Mack Stille, the idea of RAVE has run deep at our company since the very beginning. Now 95 years later, the concept is still a vital one. Regardless of race, creed, color or any other characteristic, we always strive to
embody RAVE in all our interactions, whether with guests, vendors or each other! We’re so proud of our team for excelling at RAVE, and for always striving to keep growing, listening and learning in a dedication to constant improvement. In the last year, our amazing team has risen to the challenges through the pandemic, and become a role model of diversity and social justice, all while continuing to take care of each other and our communities with hearts full of kindness and compassion. If that’s not RAVE, what is? SUMMER 2021 |
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RAVE IN THE
WORKPLACE
“RAVE in the Workplace” was designed to help our whole team learn or get a refresher on protected categories and other vital dos and don’ts in how we treat one another. With the help of our marketing team, we tailored the video to reflect our unique company culture and core values. Big thanks to Greg DiDio from HR and Alex Ornelas from Training for starring in this blockbuster film!
We made our own Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) training video in-house because we really care about our company culture!
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F E A T U R I N G
GREG DIDIO
Human Rescources
O U R
V E R Y
O W N
ALEX ORNELAS
Director Of Training
Break it down.
Keep it fun!
The world of EEO can be incredibly complex, which is why Greg helped break down important topics into easy-to-digest lessons.
Meanwhile, Quizmaster Alex injected a little silliness in between serious subjects to keep the quizzes both fun and interesting.
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Family FOSTER LOYALTY AND CAMARADERIE,
PROMOTING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH.
We are a family of dedicated people with a love of food and a passion for excellent service. We are committed to constant improvement, our people, and most importantly, guest satisfaction. Our associates are our competitive edge— superior quality and great prices are just part of the bargain. NUGGET MARKETS
Mission Statement
J
ust like our mission statement says, first and foremost, we’re a family! You, our truly amazing team, make everything we do possible. You inspire us every day with your can-do spirit, positivity and fun-loving mindset—it’s the essence of Nugget Markets’ family culture. We are so proud to have faced the challenges of the past year together, growing and strengthening the bonds that make our culture so special. What makes our Nugget Markets family so extraordinary? For one, we truly care about supporting one another, and this core value helps us develop strong bonds and trust. From new hires to veterans in every store and 22 |
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department, our blend of unique quirks, talented individuals and real camaraderie create one big team where associates can find comfort, community and encouragement with their work family. As an essential business, we couldn’t be more grateful for our world-class team and your unwavering spirit of positivity, camaraderie and fun. We were already topping the charts when it comes to world-class service, but in this last year especially, you have risen to the top of the industry. Huge thanks to our entire Nugget Markets family—together, we can accomplish anything!
Tropical Fam You don’t have to go far for a tropical getaway when your team is as fun and festive as ours!
Grocery Fam No one throws a load like the Shark Tank. You’re going to need a bigger pallet!
Vegan Fam No meat? No problem! A lot of our associates (and guests!) prefer the plant-based lifestyle.
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JAIMIE LEE Get ‘Er Done with the company for 13 years
Congrats to all the associates who retired this year!
JACK SKOLNICK Store 7 with the company for 13 years ROSALIE KELTZ Store 11 with the company for 20 years STEVE GRAHAM Store 5 with the company for 21 years CHEUK SZETO Store 12 with the company for 24 years
We’ll miss you, Jaimie!
Enjoy your retirement, Steve!
Have fun on your next adventure, Jack! 24 |
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Cheers to your retirement, Cheuk!
Last year, we had the privilege of recognizing Cheuk Szeto (better known as Chuck to our guests and associates) as our individual Spotlight on Service winner! Chuck has been with our company a long time and is retiring this weekend. But we can’t let him go without properly thanking and recognizing him for his long history of giving everyone WORLD-CLASS SERVICE! Davis (Covell) Store Director Jonathan Giannini put it best: “An absolute pillar at our store, Cheuk joined our family in 1996. Year after year, he has always led by example. In his own calm, kind, and focused way, Cheuk has built amazing relationships with our guests. Some guests will only go through his line because they LOVE HIM." We always strive to create an environment in our stores that hearkens back to a time when the grocery store was the hub of the community, and where people were known and felt cared for.
example of how to execute in a World Class way. Cheuk, I am not alone when I say that I will truly miss you. You have had a profound impact in our store and you have been a mentor to many. Thank you for all of your years of service, and for bringing your passion every single day. Congratulations on earning the Spotlight on Service Gold Star, and cheers to your retirement!
CHRIS CARPENTER Nugget Markets COO
Cheuk has helped to create this environment through his thoughtful service. Our guests appreciate that no matter what is going on in their day, no matter what is happening in the world, they can count on going in to the Nugget and spending a few moments with Cheuk. I personally have so many great memories with Cheuk and recall the early years when we had first opened Store 12, and how he was always so steady and consistent—quick to laugh, yet maintaining a world-class balance of professionalism. For me, he has always been an SUMMER 2021 |
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Welcome to the Family, W
PERFECT X!
e’re thrilled to welcome our West Roseville store to the family! Store #10, a.k.a. The Perfect 10, opened its doors March 4, 2021 and has been a hit with the community ever since. Leading the charge at our newest store is Angel Nolasco, a Nugget Markets veteran for nearly 30 years and a Roseville resident himself. Big thanks to our whole West Roseville team for making our grand opening a huge success!
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As a nod to our local roots, our newest Nugget Markets has an agricultural feel with gorgeous murals and tractor art by local artists. The Perfect 10 was also built from the ground up with sustainability in mind to help take care of our environment, as well as our guests, associates and community.
NEWS This just in! The grand opening of our newest Nugget Markets was quite the scoop! Naturally, every reputable news source (and even a few sensational ones) wanted a piece of the action, but only one highly-acclaimed journalist—Curtsy Carryout of Perfect X News—was given the ultimate eXclusive featuring behind-thescenes interviews with eXperts from all our departments. You may recognize a few of our interviewees, so be sure to ask for their autograph when you see them in the store! Seriously though, this fantastic feature was made for Store #10’s Grand Opening kickoff rally to help get all our new associates pumped for the big day. Fun facts, product knowledge and food puns galore made this novel news feature a must-watch. Don’t worry, even if you missed the original airing, you can still catch a replay online. And don’t forget to visit in person the next time you’re in the Roseville area!
CHECK IT OUT!
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From the
I
GROUND UP!
t took months of hard work and preparation to make the Perfect X ready for its grand opening debut, but it certainly paid off! From sustainable construction and state-of-the-art fixtures to hand-painted tractor art and some personal finishing touches from our team, there’s no place like West Roseville. Huge thanks to all our associates for making it possible from start to finish!
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T
he Nugget Markets Kitchen (a.k.a. the NMK) is a hub of culinary creation. The talented associates who represent our kitchen and bakery here churn out delicious dishes by the ton, often literally! From chef-prepared salsas, salads and sauces to artisan breads, pastries and more, the gourmet goodies that come out of the NMK allow our stores to carry a huge variety of top-notch foods that are all Homemade with Love. Not only that, they also keep our consistency and quality high so guests can enjoy the same amazing foods no matter which Nugget Markets they visit. Huge thanks to our NMK peeps for always cooking up a storm!
NMK FUN FACT
Our NMK chefs make about 16,500 salads, more than 1,600 pounds of guacamole and over 1,000 pounds of spinach dip every week! As if that weren’t enough, our NMK bakers supply our stores with over 8,000 cake rounds a month and more than 50,000 cookies each week! Thank you, NMK team—U rock! 30 |
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Warehouse THE
FAMILY
W
here would we be without our amazing warehouse team? Day in and day out, these unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure our stores stay stocked with everything on our guests’ shopping lists. Our wonderful warehouse team picks and ships orders almost every day, constantly juggling incoming and outgoing loads like the pros they are. With stacks on stacks of products as far as the eye can see, they go to great heights to make sure our stores and guests get exactly what they need. Unsung no more, we’re shouting it from the rooftops—we love our warehouse heroes!
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WAREHOUSE FUN FACT
From March 2020–March 2021, our warehouse received a whopping 1,811,390 cases and shipped 1,757,318 cases, with adult beverage receiving 353,126 cases and shipping 348,652 cases. Our team received up to 17 trucks some days (vs. the usual 12) to keep up with demand—they’re truly amazing!
SALUTE TO THE
Night Crew N
ot everyone can pull all-nighters to get the job done, but our fantastic night crew does it every single shift! If you’ve ever wondered who’s responsible for getting our stores ready for a “Grand Opening” every morning, these are the people to thank.
They stay moving from dusk ‘til dawn to break down and throw loads, pull out-of-code items, stock and face displays, operate heavy equipment and generally get our stores in pristine condition by the time we open. Thank you, night crew! We couldn’t do it without U!
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“HAVE FUN” You can’t spell FUN without U!
- Nugget Markets’ Global Expectations (x3!)
BAG-OFF On October 8, 2020, the best baggers in our company squared off at the warehouse to determine who was our top bagger! While all our competitors brought
While this core value may have been one of the hardest to maintain in a crisis, it was also one of the most important. Along with lifting our own spirits, when we have fun, our guests can feel it and we wind up lifting their moods, as well!
their competitive spirit and represented their stores
Luckily, the fun factor is strong at Nugget Markets, which is why we found clever ways to continue smiling, laughing and generally having a good time despite the need for masks, social distancing and other safety precautions. Our store teams hosted everything from decorated mask contests and fun photo guessing games, to raffles and Spirit Weeks encouraging associates to dress up for special themed days.
over a real fire cauldron. A huge THANK YOU to
like champs, it was Alexa Sobsey of Store #12 who took home the gold! Attendance was limited this year, but that didn’t stop the Get ‘er Done team from building an entire arena for the Olympic-themed Bag-Off complete with flags from around the world hanging everyone involved for another outstanding Bag-Off!
By adapting our parties, celebrations and events like Bag-Off to fit the times, we made sure FUN never got lost in the shuffle. Now and always, we prove you can work hard, play hard and never lose your sense of humor (one of our strongest assets!). Even a global pandemic can’t keep our team down for long! SUMMER 2021 |
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UC Olympics Our second annual UC Olympics was a huge success! This awesome event highlights the skills of our amazing Utility Clerks (UCs), including shagging carts, returning go-backs and more. Even without a large gathering or fanfare, we still managed to have a few fans cheer on our
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competing utility clerks safely away from the event. Competition was stiff, but Coach John Goselin helped lead Stevie Bullock, Rolando Campos and Irai Martinez and to victory. Way to go, everyone who participated, and extra congrats to our 2020 winners!
Coupe Du Nug De La Boulangerie Our bakery’s Annual Coupe Du Nug De La Boulangerie is an epic bread-based showdown to see which store team can produce the loveliest loaves. While all our teams brought their A-game, it was Store #12 who took home the trophy this year—congrats to The Show!
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Work Hard, Play Hard We love having fun at work!
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Here’s to hitting the slopes in 2022! Associates of all experience levels wet their feet on the slopes of Tahoe in early 2020. From novice to expert, skier to snowboarder, our team showed up ready to take on the mountain. While we may have had to take a year off, we look forward to our next adventure in 2022!
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Positive Attitude “WHETHER YOU THINK YOU CAN, OR YOU THINK YOU CAN’T—YOU’RE RIGHT.”
- HENRY FORD
Not just a core value, positive attitude is a driving force at Nugget Markets! Over and over, our mettle was tested this last year, and time after time, our team’s positivity and tenacity pulled us through. The formula is simple: whatever we put in, we get out. Instead of mediocre attitudes leading to mediocre outcomes, our consistently great attitudes yielded consistently great results! When looking for new associates, we make a point to hire for positive attitude because we believe everything else can be taught. With a strong foundation of positivity, we can accomplish anything! Even when we couldn’t procure products from our vendors fast enough (or at all), our whole company rallied together to accomplish amazing feats. It just goes to show how resilient our teams are, and how positive attitudes and tenacity can make a huge difference.
Rallying Through Adversity Our associates have always been champions of adversity, coming through for our communities with unflagging energy and enthusiasm even when it felt like everything was falling apart. No matter what else is going on in the world, our amazing family continues to deliver worldclass service through thick and thin, helping make our stores a safe and welcoming place for everyone who walks through our doors.
Work-Life Balance Along with physical safety, it’s also vital to take care of ourselves mentally! To help maintain healthy and positive mindsets, we worked hard to safeguard our team’s mental health and total wellbeing. Along with creating larger breakroom areas for safe downtime, we also rotated shifts and limited overtime to protect our team from burning out, and encouraged good self-care. A little TLC goes a long way!
Over the last year, our entire team has provided a beacon of hope for our guests when they needed it most. We have smiled through the masks, left our troubles at home and really showed our teams and communities what excellent service feels like. Thank you, team, for sharing your positivity with each other and our guests! SUMMER 2021 |
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Dressed to Impress Superheroes, wizards and elves, oh my! From storewide spirit weeks to Halloween festivities, ugly sweater contests and more, our teams took any and every opportunity to strut their stuff in cool costumes and other festive fun. Who wore it best? Our entire Nugget Markets family!
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TRUST 44 |
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“THE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE STANDS IN TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND ADVERSITY.”
- DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Trust is everything. The many trials we’ve faced this past year have proven that. As an essential business, we had a tremendous responsibility to operate as efficiently as possible while protecting our associates and guests. Now and always, we put our team first and do whatever it takes to create a safe and positive work environment no matter the cost or the circumstances. After all, we’re in the people business—we just happen to sell groceries! We’re so grateful to have a team who lives with integrity on and off the clock. Establishing a foundation of trust, safety and ethical behavior helps our guests, vendors and associates know they can count on us no matter what. When costs rose from our vendors and suppliers as supply chains struggled, we did what we could to keep our shelves stocked and prices low even when it meant taking some loss ourselves, because taking care of our community is more important than turning a profit. It’s this honesty, reliability and transparency that help build trust, both with each other and with our guests and community. Quite simply, trust is the firm foundation for everything we do!
It’s Worth It! To date, we have spent more than $9.3 million on COVID-19-related expenses—our second highest expense this year after rent. This includes everything from our company-wide thank you bonus pay to extra cleaning, supplies, equipment, additional sick leave, donations, COVID-19 tests and related medical expenses for our associates. While the costs keep growing, we firmly believe every penny is well spent!
Safety Dance From intensive cleaning and sanitizing to being one of the first retailers to install plexiglass shields at all check stands, we take safety seriously! Mandatory face coverings helped protect our guests and associates, and while the move created backlash at some locations, we stayed committed to the position because the safety of our associates and guests is our top priority! SUMMER 2021 |
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All Smiles (Even Under the Masks!) What happens when a bunch of Nugget Markets associates wind up in the same waiting area after getting vaccinated? Impromptu sunroof party!
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Many Thanks! As essential workers, our amazing team worked harder than ever to keep things running smoothly and cleanly through every crisis that came our way. Our hard work didn’t go unnoticed— our community shared the love online, in person and with signs of encouragement!
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- MOTHER TERESA
Are U in the know…? We certainly hope so!
Communicatio
“SPREAD LOVE EVERYWHERE YOU GO . . . LET NO ONE EVER COME TO YOU WITHOUT LEAVING BETTER AND HAPPIER.”
Whether it’s product knowledge or safety procedures, effective communication with our guests and each other is absolutely essential. Luckily, our long-term efforts to have a world-class communication network have been paying off, as we were able to share calmness, education, facts and policy changes as quickly as they came. This year, we took communication to a new level. From socially distanced team rallies to our daily digital U-Tube messaging and even Zoom meetings instead of in-person gatherings, we pivoted like pros to share news and updates in any means of communication we could. Whether socially distanced or digital, our meetings helped us come together even when we were spread out throughout the company.
Don’t forget, we also want to hear from U! We encourage every associate to make use of our U Matter Boxes, open door policy and 360 reviews, along with coming to your team and leaders with open, robust, RAVE-filled dialogue. And as always… keep an eye out for your U-Card—these important communication tools are a key part of how we share information internally, and could help you win some cold hard cash!
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye When protocols kept shifting, we reached out to our community in every way we could to share information about changes, answer questions and support our guests and team. Along with newsletters and landing pages, we posted frequent updates on social media and responded to more than three times our usual volume of comments and questions from our guests!
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Magazines & More Want to learn more about amazing products across departments and pick up a few foodie FAQs and delicious recipes along the way? Just flip through our seasonal Field Guides and check out our weekly blogs online! Not just for guests, these publications are meant for our associates, too. You could even win some cash by taking the Field Guide quiz—good luck!
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Behind the Scenes
BT
Fun Fact: We produce our own photos and videos in-house! They may make it look easy, but our talented graphic designers (a.k.a. masters of photography, illustration and video editing) work hard to produce the stunning stills and movies we share both internally and externally. From our e-ad, in-store signage and recipe cards to Field Guides, billboards and more, you can find their work almost anywhere you see our logos—and they designed those, too!
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Servant
LEADERS Store Directors
Kanoa Aipia Store Director, Corte Madera
Rodney Beebe Store Director, Woodland
Chaunté Chastang Store Director, Novato
Philippe Chordas Store Director, Roseville
Erica DeGray Store Director, El Dorado Hills
Jonathan Giannini Store Director, Davis, Covell
Erick St. John Store Director, Vacaville
Quentine Lambert Store Director, Davis, Mace
Cody Moody Store Director, Sonoma Market
Angel Nolasco Store Director, West Roseville
Susie Rupley Store Director, Sacramento, Florin
Jazzmen Simms Store Director, Tiburon
Marylin Thorne Store Director, West Sacramento
Randy Watson Store Director, Fork Lift
Brian Wagner Store Director, Elk Grove
Randy Wehman Store Director, Food 4 Less, Woodland
"We make a living from what we get; we make a life from what we give.” - Winston Churchill
T
hough job descriptions may vary, every leader’s main job at Nugget Markets is supporting their team and setting them up for success. Leaning into our core values, constantly filling people’s buckets (like emotional bank accounts) and modeling our
high-execution culture helps our whole team. That’s the core of the servant leadership mindset! Filling others’ buckets has never been more important than when our store associates joined the front lines as essential workers and heroes. While stress and anxiety might dip from our buckets, our servant leaders help refill them. As an added bonus, the love, support and trust our leaders share with their teams
then translates from our teams to our guests. Along with leading the charge with unshakable positivity and encouragement, some store leaders went the extra mile with acts of gratitude and silly incentives. For example, some washed their associates’ cars as a gesture of appreciation, while others offered to receive a pie (or burrito!) in the face for reaching store goals like never missing a sweep. Now that’s dedication!
Homegrown Leaders We’re dedicated to promoting based on talent and ability, which is why 95% of our leadership positions are filled from within! By empowering all associates to learn and grow through a culture of servant leadership, we do everything we can to support the growth of future leaders. Where do you want to grow next? Let your leader know! SUMMER 2021 |
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Coach of the Month & Year No matter what stage you’re at or what experience you have, everyone needs a good mentor in their life. We like to recognize the amazing leaders who help us grow on our road to constant improvement as Coaches of the Month, and the ultimate coach is distinguished as our Coach of the Year!
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On the Move A new store means a new store director! When Angel Nolasco left Store #6 to lead Store #10, Marylin Thorne took his place and left an opening at Store #11, which Erick St. John stepped in to fill, leaving a spot for Susie Rupley to lead Store #5 (but not before they held him hostage)! SUMMER 2021 |
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Global Leadership Training Day As part of our Global Leadership Training Day, every leader from every store comes together to learn about harassment prevention, celebrate Düers and hear from motivational speakers. In 2019, everyone also learned about implicit bias, remembered the legacy of Gene Stille and heard an inspiring presentation by Robert Mendez Jr. (a high school football coach born without arms or legs) about the power of the mantra, “Who says I can’t?” That affirmation still rings true today!
Disney Day A few years ago, we took our stores’ core leadership teams to Disneyland because we value working hard and having fun. What better place to go for team bonding and celebration than the happiest place on Earth?
A few lucky leaders from Store 1 had the chance to meet Bob Iger, executive chairman and former CEO of the Walt Disney Company. It was a nice surprise since our leadership team just finished his book! 60 |
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Leaders in the Making As you know, constant improvement is one of our company goals, which is why we offer Leadership Nugget for aspiring leaders in our company! Now in its 16th year, this year-long course gives associates the opportunity to learn more about each department and the inner workings of our business through intimate classes taught by our Corporate Directors and other leaders. While classes looked a little different this year (some were even held online!), Nougats still had the chance to learn from each other and about themselves through projects, reading assignments and other character-building opportunities. We look forward to welcoming our newest Nougats soon!
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Rewards &
Recognition
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“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” - Margaret Cousins We’ll take any reason to celebrate, especially when it comes to our team! As you well know, our world-class team works hard every day, and that hard work deserves to be recognized. That’s why rewards and recognition are a key component of our culture. By exercising positive praise and rewarding excellence, we validate our team’s hard work, recognize achievements and encourage each other to go above and beyond.
and the Spotlight on Service. Stores can join the fun and earn some bragging rights by claiming the Magical Service Wand, Sustainability Jar and Safety Trophy, plus the coveted President’s Cup. And remember, leaders aren’t the only ones empowered to recognize associates! If you see a teammate doing something worth recognizing, don’t hesitate to let them know. Honest compliments and appreciation go a long way, and who knows? That U Make Us Better (UMUB) card could turn into cash!
Some of our favorite ways to recognize our amazing associates include our Düer shirts, Peep’s Choice awards, U Rock announcements
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Congratulations! 2020 President’s Cup Winner: Store 14
President’s Cup The President’s Cup is awarded to the store with the best execution throughout the year, including meeting sales and labor goals, delivering on our 5 Basics to Increase Sales (Quality, Cleanliness, Stock Level, Signage & Accurate Pricing, and Guest Satisfaction), maintaining cleanliness and safety, continually raising the standards of operational execution, and giving our guests world-class service. 64 |
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Spotlight On Service The Spotlight on Service program recognizes those departments and associates who tirelessly and without question give the absolute best service in our whole company. Way to go, team!
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Düers We recognize associates who are all in as Düers— the weekly recognition comes with a chance to spin the wheel, and our Düers of the Month win the prized Düer shirt!
Magical Service Wand The Magical Service Wand is awarded monthly to the two stores who best execute our company goal of guest satisfaction.
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U Make Us Better Our U Make Us Better (UMUB) cards and U-Rock program allow all associates to recognize and reward each other for doing a great job on a daily basis. UMUB cards also offer the chance to win big money!
Sustainability Jar Every quarter, our greenest store is recognized with the Sustainability Jar! SUMMER 2021 |
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Safety Award Each quarter, stores strive to earn an “A+” in their safety grade, which not only reflects their efforts to keep all guests and associates safe, but also puts them in the running to earn the coveted Safety Trophy. Congrats to Store #17 and Store #21, the Safety Award winners for 2020!
Mack Stille Legacy Award Once a year, an innovative and dedicated associate who exemplifies our company philosophies, core values and servant leadership receives the Mack Stille Legacy Award— the highest individual honor at Nugget Markets! Major kudos to Erick St. John, our 2020 recipient!
Associate of the Year Our Associate of the Year award honors the associate from each store and corporate who did the most brilliant job of providing “total guest satisfaction” and exemplifying cooperation and teamwork all year long. Huge thanks to Nydia Garcia who earned the honor at corporate this year! 68 |
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Associate Referral Program Since U are so awesome, we want more people like you! That’s the idea behind our Associate Referral Program—great people who already work for Nugget Markets referring other wonderful people to join our world-class team. On average, our hiring team receives 1,000–5,000 applications per month, so associate referrals are extremely valuable. To sweeten the deal, associates can earn up to $500 for each successfully hired applicant. Not only that, every referring associate is also entered to win a grand prize— like a giant $1,000 check! SUMMER 2021 |
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Community & Sustainability “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller
N
ugget Markets has been dedicated to supporting our local communities since
we first opened in 1926. This year especially, we’ve strengthened our partnerships with many nonprofits by upping our usual donations to help provide for our friends and neighbors who are struggling in these difficult times. To take care of our guests when and how they need it most, we continue to push the limits on what it means to be an extraordinary grocery experience.
about why we donate food to local food banks, why turning off lights in coolers is the best, why compost is awesome and how much water we can save by fixing leaks! There’s no question this year has been a hard one, but that’s all the more reason for us to live our values every day, taking care of our communities and inspiring positive change. If we all do our part to keep ourselves and one another healthy and safe, and support those in need now and in the future, we believe our communities can grow even stronger and our world will be a better place. 3-3/8"
This also includes how we SEE sustainability. Our Extraordinary Sustainability Vision is to be a leader of sustainability with a focus on Social Responsibility, Environmental Stewardship and Economic Vitality. Just ask our Sustainability 2-1/8" Coordinator, Shea Robinson, or your store’s Green Guru and they’re sure to get you excited
Community Scrip Program Along with supporting local causes and nonprofits through donations and sponsorships, we also offer a Community Scrip Program which allows guests to earn money for their chosen cause while they shop. Learn more at scrip.nuggetmarket.com!
SchoolsRule-Marin
Giving Marin Dedicated to inspiring volunteerism and raising awareness about the invaluable work of nonprofits in Marin County, Giving Marin is a movement fueled by the collective giving of community-minded businesses and institutions. They underwrite marketing opportunities for nonprofits, offering no-cost publicity for their causes, and give no less than 15% of the revenue they generate as grants to the local nonprofit community. As a founding business partner, Nugget Markets is committed to giving back to the Marin community and has contributed $140,000 to Giving Marin over the past four years to collaboratively foster volunteerism and community engagement.
On a mission to support public education, SchoolsRule-Marin is a coalition of 20 public school foundations in Marin working together to benefit every public school student in the county. They work to engage the community in a discussion about our schools and the important issues facing education, encourage volunteerism and raise funds to benefit local students. Nugget Markets has been a staunch supporter since we opened our Marin stores in 2015, including catering their annual gala which raises around $400,000 each year. This year, we made a financial contribution to help support vital programs in literacy, the arts, technology and health, impacting over 36,000 public students countywide.
Coming Soon…! To help support U and the causes U care about, Nugget Markets is working on officially rolling out our Community Fieldwork Project. The goal of this new program is to empower future generations, fortify our neighborhoods, cultivate environmental change and inspire philanthropy. Through camaraderie and fun, we can strengthen the positive impact we have on our communities. We can’t wait to get started! SUMMER 2021 |
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Big Day of Giving The Big Day of Giving (a.k.a. BDOG) took place on May 6, 2021! Nugget Markets was honored to support this annual event that aims to inspire individuals and companies throughout our region to contribute to their favorite local causes. Along with a variety of matching fund drives (totaling more than $50,000!), we also sponsored Yolo Community Foundation’s #GiveYolo Video Contest, which awarded three nonprofits an extra $500 each! Thanks for joining us in supporting local nonprofits! 72 |
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In 2020, our total giving exceeded $2.3 million. Thank you for making it possible!
Supporting Our Community Nugget Markets contributed more than $55,000 to inspire philanthropy in our region! MATCHING FUNDS:
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Award-Winning Sustainability We are incredibly proud to be recognized as one of 2020’s most sustainable companies in the world with the SEAL (Sustainability Environmental Achievement and Leadership) Award! We were 1 of only 16 companies awarded with the SEAL Environmental Initiative Award, and were recognized for the far-reaching impact of our Food Recovery Program. Thanks to all of your efforts to donate food last year, we donated an incredible 800,000 pounds of produce, bakery items, deli foods, dairy, groceries and even meat! U Rock for fighting back against the 40% average of food that is wasted in the US each year, and making meaningful change.
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Associates’ Choice We showed our pride during Earth Month, but these associates choose to be green all year round! What’s your go-to green item?
Sunday Fun Day! Our store teams showed their sustainable spirit by wearing tie dye every Sunday in April. Some of our guests even joined us in celebrating Earth Month in style!
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Culture CHRONICLES
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CORE VALUES
COMPANY GOALS
MISSION STATEMENT
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
GUEST SATISFACTION
TRUST
CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
We are a family of dedicated people with a love of food and a passion for excellent service. We are committed to constant improvement, our people, and most importantly, guest satisfaction.
RAVE FAMILY FUN
WORLD-CLASS EMPLOYER
NUGGET MARKET, INC. • SUMMER 2021
Our associates are our competitive edge — superior quality and great prices are just part of the bargain.