Star Market 100th Anniversary by Shelby Publishing

Star Market 100th Anniversary ‘My Star Market’ Comes Alive As Company Celebrates 100 Years Of Pride, Innovation And Loyal Customers

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JULY 2015

Star Market 100th Anniversary

SUPERMARKET REPORT

Shaw’s-Star Market Celebrate Anniversaries With Emphasis On Becoming Shoppers’ Favorite Local Supermarket

by Mike Berger

It’s the 100th anniversary of Star Market and the 155th anniversary of Shaw’s Supermarket, and company leaders are recognizing the value of Star Market to the company with more store renovations and reinvigoration of the Star brand. According to Shaw’s President Jim Rice and VP of Marketing and Merchandising Paul Gossett, the Star brand represents a great two-way loyalty message by Star Market customers and exceptional customer service by Star Market employees. Star Market has its origins in the city of Boston with unique items and Jim Rice great customer service. The current Star Market base today is within the geography of Route 128, but Rice points out that the Boston store sites are in great locations, noting the store sites of Chestnut Hill, Mount Auburn, Dorchester Lower Mills and Fenway Park. According to Rice, the Boston Star Market locations have been successful stores in the city, with high customer counts, demographics and trending products. Rice particularly likes the “My Star Market” loyalty of its customers, noting customers’ sense of personal pride in the store. In the past few years, 15 of the 24 Star Markets in the company have gone through renovations, including the conversion of 10 Shaw’s stores to Star Market. To this point, two thirds of the Star Market stores have been remodeled, and the goal is to complete renovating the remainder within the next few years. In all, there are 154 Shaw’s/Star Market stores throughout New England employing approximately 19,000 employees. The Star Market renovations have included remodeling the entire store with new or expanded sections of organic, natural and specialty sections set up by Chex Finer Foods. Other renovations have included prepared food sections and more local products. Since Rice arrived nearly two years ago as president, Shaw’s has remodeled 35 stores with more on the way. “The company is investing in both brands,” said Rice, who added that Shaw’s is a historic banner, which has stores in five of the six New England states. “We want our customers to shop at their favorite local supermarket. There is a lot of value in staying a Star Market or Shaw’s. Being local is very important to us,” he added.

Rice says he has seen a lot of progress in store renovation and promotion, but acknowledges there is more to get done. “Our No. 1 mission is to grow sales in every store, and we are working every day on getting better and better,” he said. The goal of each Shaw’s and Star Market store is to meet the trends of the new grocery shopper, including their expectations for great items in the fresh departments, organics/natural, specialty foods and meal solutions departments. Both Rice and Gossett agree the strategy for a winning store is value and pricing, along with well-stocked stores, quality and freshness, and friendly employees. If accomplished, shoppers will return as loyal Paul Gossett customers with repeated shopping trips throughout the week. “The goal is to be the favorite local supermarket,” said Rice. Shaw’s also is readying plans for its newest concept Star Market store at the TD Garden site in North Station, next to the famed professional sports and entertainment location. Gossett says the store will be designed to handle a lot of customers, especially commuters, and will provide an exceptional shopping experience. In addition to the emphasis on updating the physical look of the stores, Shaw’s and Star Market have made a concentrated effort in the last few years to connect with the communities where their stores are located. Specifically, the company has provided donations to schools, as well as youth baseball and youth hockey (see related story). This follows parent company Albertson’s, which has donated more than $1 billion to charities. Despite Albertson’s 18 banners across the country, Rice says the company wants it known that the individual banners remain local and are run by teams that live within the local communities. “Our decisions are made locally where we are closest to the consumer,” he said. AB Acquisition LLC, the parent company of Albertson’s LLC, New Albertson’s Inc. and Safeway Inc., is one of the world’s largest food and drug retailers, with more than 2,200 stores and 1,700 pharmacies in 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United, Pavilions, Star Market, Market Street, Amigos and Carrs. The company is privately owned by a consortium led by Cerberus Capital Management.

Happy 1

to Star Market! PO Box 449, Ayer, MA 01432 • 800-370-2700 • www.jpsullivan.com jpSullivan_07_GR_Shaws.indd 1 Shaws-StarMarket-section.indd 30

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JULY 2015

Star Market 100th Anniversary

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These Veterans Share Pride, Passion And Loyal Customers As They Recall ‘My Star Market’ Experiences by Mike Berger There’s an excitement in the air, a buzz, when Star Market employees get together. They take pride in their work, enjoy their customers and are thrilled that the owners of Shaw’s/Star Market are taking the time and money to reinvest in the Star Market brand. Interviewed for this story were five long-time Star Market employees, whose combined experience at Star Market represents more than 169 years of service to the company, which merged with Shaw’s and parent company, Sainsbury, in 1999. They are Jim Fowler, Steve Duran, Debbi Heffernan, John Scuccimarra and Leeann Dias. All share a different perspective of “My Star Market.”

Jim Fowler

Jim Fowler is now grocery sales manager, and many in the food trade know him for his work on the board of directors of the New England Food Foundation (NEFF) since 2005. He served as NEFF president in 2011. Fowler started as a Star Market part-time stock clerk in 1974 and became a grocery manager in Winter Hill Star Market in Somerville, Massachusetts, in 1982. He was promoted to store manager at McGrath Highway in 1989 and managed two other stores, Chestnut Hill Star and North Reading Star Market Plus. Fowler went into merchandising in 1994 to manage the President’s Choice brand introduction to Star Market, became a grocery buyer and was promoted to director of non-foods. When Star was bought by Shaw’s in 1999, Fowler was assigned as VP of grocery before assuming the role of VP of nonperishable merchandising. As part of further development, he was assigned as VP of fresh merchandising in 2010. When Albertson’s bought Shaw’s in 2013, he was assigned as grocery sales manager, managing the grocerydairy and frozen categories for the company. Jim Fowler

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In addition to Fowler’s work on the NEFF, he was a board member of the United Way of New England from 2008 to 2011. Through his 40 years with the company, the Star Market message always has been to treat customers “with tender loving care.” He remembers his first days at Star Market at 15 years, old when he knew upon entering the store that “this is where he wanted to work.” Fowler applied for his job at a job fair that he learned about in his church bulletin. He knew of Star Market’s great reputation and was excited to be a part of it. Shortly after being hired, John Mugar, then Star Market’s president, sent a letter to Fowler’s parents (he still has the letter), welcoming their son to the Star family and promising to treat him well, providing him with an opportunity to grow, to apply for scholarships and to introduce him to a retirement plan that Fowler is still a part of today. “Working at Star has been a terrific opportunity for me to work with great people, for a company that I am proud to work for. It’s all about the people, whether they are employees or customers; it’s the people that make all the difference. My closest friends are the people I have worked with at Star Market—now that we are that much older our families are intertwined, celebrating all life’s milestones together. The bond is unbelievable,” said Fowler. He calls Star Market an innovator; a company of firsts, including the first to have in-store floral, complete with FTD, the first to have fresh in-store bakeries, first with bundle pickup, first air conditioned store and first with air rights to build a store over a highway. “Star Market, “The Quality Leader,” was known for choice meats, fresh seafood and the best produce, Dorothy Muriel Baked Goods and Brigham’s Ice Cream shops were in several stores,” said Fowler. Still today, while in stores, Fowler sees many customers he met years ago. They recognize him as someone who has remained with Star Market for a long time and take the time to reminisce. “When I think back, Star Market is where it all began,” he said. “I think back to all the great leaders I worked with, who took the time to train and make you better; to the managers that took the time to show me around and introduce me to everyone, that meant, and still means, a lot to me. “When Star was sold in 1999, I was initially concerned that ‘My Star Market’ would lose its identity. But Shaw’s has done a great job in revitalizing the Star Market difference. Star Market means something in Boston.” Please see page 34

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JUly 2015

Star Market 100th Anniversary From page 32

Steve Duran

Star Market Store Director Steve Duran was brought into Star Market by his uncle, Ernie Geanarris. After two interviews with human resources, and the job hunt still on hold, Geanarris walked into the Mt. Auburn headquarters and told them to “give the kid a chance!” That was in 1984 and Duran is still at Star Market as a store director. “Star has always been a family-orientated business, and I continue the tradition with my son, Scott, currently finishing up his first year with us,” Duran said. Duran began as a service clerk enrolled in the management training program out of college. The program training moved him through the system, up to assistant checkout manager and then into the position of checkout manager. Steve Duran Continuing his training, he was put on many special assignments within the company to learn different facets of the retail operation. The next step was in an assistant store manager job where for three years he traveled through numerous Star Markets, ending up in the flagship Mt. Auburn store. “It was from this location that I learned the true meaning of the Star way. I’ve worked with many respected leaders but one stands out—Paul Nerney. Paul took the time to teach and train me about what the expectations were for running a Star Market; simply put, the store must be perfect every day, no exceptions, make it happen. His patience and knowledge, love for the business and pride of being a store manager easily rubbed off on me and directed me to perform accordingly,” said Duran. It was from this location that Duran was promoted to store manager in 1991 by then Star President Peter Lynch. Duran’s district now includes many stores on the North Shore. He says when he started at Star Market 31 years ago, he always wanted to be a store director. “I have managed many Star Markets throughout the last 25 years, and each location and its staff of employees has a unique and special place in my heart.” he said. What sets Star Market apart? “It’s the people and the passion. Whether it’s a part-timer or a full-timer, people are trained to be passionate about their job. It’s blue blood at Star Market. They are my second family,” said Duran. My Star Market to Duran means: “I am there for my customers. They are all the same to me. We treat everyone the same. And it’s a two-way street. The customer takes ownership of the store. The customer feels like they are part of the store. We are always looking for their suggestions and

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feedback.” He added, “Personally, to me, My Star Market is like my home, my company, my community. That was so evident during this past winter with all the snowstorms. The community looked to us to stay open.”

Debbi Heffernan

Store Director Debbi Heffernan’s career with Star Market started in 1960 when her father began his career with Star Market. “That was the year that Star Market became part of our family,” she said. Heffernan started working part time in Brookline Star Market in 1977; following that, her six younger brothers and sisters started working at local Star Markets as soon as they were old enough to work. “They started their careers with their own personal introduction into the business world of Star Market. My father wanted us to start working at a very early age to learn about a company and a business that he was proud of and that would set us up with solid values for our future as we entered the business world, and that it did. My six brothers and sisters went on to pursue different career paths in business, but each of them would tell you that the foundation that was built, the people they encountered and the friendships that developed set them up with solid work ethics and relationships for their future,” said Heffernan. Heffernan has worked at Star Market for 35 years and considers herself “part of the Star Market family and followDebbi Heffernan ing in my father’s footsteps. I share the same sense of pride, loyalty and commitment that my father did for a company that has been part of my family and so many other Star Market families for over 50 years.” When asked what My Star Market means to her, she offered this reflection on the impact the company has had on not only her family but other employees and their families. “My father passed away suddenly in 1998 while on a trip with his friends and colleagues from Star Market. When he died, the Star Market family did everything they could to bring my father home to us, including hiring a private jet and taking exceptional care of our mom. (At my father’s wake), my family was in awe at the amount of customers and employees who attended the service. They shared so many stories about the company and the difference it made in their lives. They shared stories about my father and how as a store director he had made such a personal impression on Please see page 36

Berkeley Florist Supply Wishes Star Market a Happy 100th Anniversary!

530 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118 617-482-6969 • open 5AM-12pm Berkley_07_GR_Star.indd 1 Shaws-StarMarket-section.indd 34

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JUly 2015

Star Market 100th Anniversary From page 34

them in ways that made us feel so proud of him and of the company. We were truly humbled by the love and support we received from customers and employees of the Star Market family. “Not a day goes by that an employee or customer decides to share a memory with me about my dad or one of my brothers and sisters who they once worked with, or they share a positive or funny experience they had when they worked for Star Market. They remember Star Market way back when. Star Market is not only our local supermarket but it’s a family supermarket. It has touched the lives of my family and so many other families, employees and customers. When I hear the stories it fills me with so much pride and with that comes a personal responsibility to live up to what my father and what Star Market would be proud of as I continue to represent both of them.  As my career evolves, I hope that I can make Star Market and my dad proud by making a positive impact on the community, my employees, my customers and My Star Market.”

John Scuccimarra

Known at Star Market as “Scooch,” John Scuccimarra, Star Market district manager, started when he was 14 years old and he is still here 28 years later. “It’s the first and only job I have ever had,” he said. Scuccimarra has held every store position, including cleaning, general clerk, cashier and management. He is the district manager for 11 Star Market stores, including all of Boston and two stores in Newton, excluding Chestnut Hill. He is proud of his decision to go from a part-time position to a full-time job. “To go full time and work for the store was a dream come true for me,” he said. Scuccimarra’s philosophy at the store is to create a positive customer relationship every time the customer returns. “We want to build the relationship with the customer, and we hope it’s a long one. Some of the customers are good friends of mine. We have shared a meal or gone out for a beer,” he said. Like Jim Fowler, Scuccimarra remembers his first day on the job when the store manager took him around and introduced John Scuccimarra him to every single employee. “That stuck with me and meant so much to me as a 14-year-old,” he said. One other story that has stuck in his mind is when he loaded bags of groceries into a car and the customer gave him a $50 tip. He returned the tip to the store manager. Scuccimarra knew that the Star name would come back one day

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“In the city, the Star name was a big deal. This is the right thing to do for the company. Star Market matters. I take this company very seriously. It is my entire life’s work,” he said.

Leeann Dias

Now marketing director for Shaw’s, Leeann Dias’ time with Star Market began when she graduated from Providence College and was hired into the management training program. She had not worked in retail before and thought she would do it for a year or two. She has stayed with the company for 35 years, and working for Shaw’s/Star Market has given her the opportunity to work in every area of the company, including store operations, human resources, merchandising and marketing. “I have been able to change my job every five years without ever leaving the company,” she said. “Star became my second family, and the friendships I have made have lasted a lifetime. I have had the opportunity to work for quite a few wonderful Star Market leaders in my career and was always struck by the respect and dignity they showed to their customers and employees. The fact that customers are referred to as “our customers” was a lesson I learned very early. I was trained the ‘if you take good care of the customer, the customer will take good care of you.’” She continues to love her job and the opportunity “to do something positive for communities which we serve.” She added, “There is no doubt there is a tremendous amount of pride at Star Market. We take pride in what they do every day.” Leeann Dias Working at the Star Market in Rhode Island, Dias says people have special memories of Star Market and what it has meant to the community. As did others, she notes how stores remained opened 24 hours during blizzards and hurricanes. “The stores are part of the community fabric,” Dias said. “To this day I have neighbors in Rhode Island who still remember and talk about Star Market. “To me, working at Star Market (and now Shaw’s) is the only job I have ever had, it has made me the person I am today and helped me to give back to my community. My father once told me “if you find a job you love…you will never work a day in your life.’ Those words have come to exemplify my feelings about Star Market.” Dias says she is excited that the Star Market brand is coming back. “There is something very special about being a part of local communities for the last 100 years; there are not a lot of retail businesses that can make that claim, and I’m confident the best is yet to come,” she said.

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Congratulations

on your 100th Anniversary

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The Mugar Family would like to congratulate the partnership of Star Market with Shaw’s for continuing to provide more than a solid century of quality foods and service to New England.

Happy 100 Anniversary Star Market! th

--From Starfish Market* on St. John in the USVI

*Star Market has a long legacy of offering quality and service. I have proudly continued that family tradition over the last 20 years with Starfish Market, a supermarket on St. John, in the U.S.Virgin Islands. In a nod to my father Stephen P. Mugar, I opened this “little cousin” of Star Market in 1995, perpetuating the “Star” name with Starfish Market. The store has been very responsive to the needs of the island residents and guests and continues to be very successful.” - David G. Mugar

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Wholesome goodness... Naturally. Since 1925 The Leavitt Corporation

Happy 100th Anniversary

HP Hood LLC Congratulates

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Star Market

on100 years of success

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Congratulations shaws and star Market On Your 100th and 155th Anniversaries

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Congratulations to star Market on

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100 great Years!

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Congratulations on your 100 anniversary! th

from

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Calise Bakery Congratulates Star Market on its 100th Anniversary

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Two Boston Stars:

Star Market & Joey Kramer Congratulations Star Market on your 100th Anniversary

Thanks to our wholesale partners at Bozzuto’s, Inc., C&S Wholesale Grocers and IGA, as well as our national foodservice partner, Sysco. Rockin’ & Roastin’ is the official hot brewed coffee of the House of Blues nationwide. Rockin and Roastin is proud to announce Crossmark as our sales agent

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JULY 2015

Star Market 100th Anniversary

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Star Market History Full Of Service And Innovation Star Market has an adventurous history, beginning with an Armenian family taking a chance on a meat market store in Watertown, Massachusetts, and continuing on for the next 100 years as the store brand that has survived several sales and mergers. Today, Star Market is celebrating 100 years of great service, innovation and customer loyalty. Its motto through the years has been “Serving the Best with Pride.” In 1915, Sarkis Mugar, an Armenian immigrant who arrived in Greater Boston in 1906, paid $900 for Star Market, a small grocery store next to the famous Verona Italian Restaurant in Watertown. At the time, Star was primarily a meat market and Sarkis’ son, Stephen, had an idea to include staple grocery items. Betting on his son’s idea, Sarkis added grocery items to the store and sales immediately grew. In 1922, due to his father’s death in an automobile accident, Stephen, then 17 years old, took over Star Market. Stephen instilled into his staff his philosophy: “Take good care of the customer and the customer will take good care of you.” The second Star Market opened in Newtonville, Massachusetts, in 1932 and the third store opened in Wellesley in 1937. With wartime restrictions and shortages over, after World War II Stephen was ready to expand throughout greater Boston to meet the increased consumer demands. In 1948, unable to expand the Watertown store, Stephen decided to open another store in Newtonville; this store served as the prototype for the new and modern Star Market. The store was unique, as it was built without posts, similar to an airplane hangar. Stephen’s idea was to build the store in this fashion so he could convert the building into a movie theater in the event the store failed. With rapid growth to the region, Stephen faced a major challenge when government plans for the Mass Turnpike Extension went right through his store. Stephen applied for air rights to build a market right over the highway and, after a lengthy court battle, the Massachusetts Supreme Please see page 51

Yuengling’s Ice Cream would like to congratulate Star Market on their 100th Anniversary!

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JULY 2015 • The Griffin Report of the Northeast

Star Market 100th Anniversary

From page 46

Court ruled in his favor, making it the first store in the nation to be built on air rights. The 1950s and 1960s were a period of accelerated expansion and new beginnings and innovations for Star. These innovations included: touch systems for cashiers; refrigerated cooked foods; self-service meats; wrapped produce; profit sharing; paid vacations; and bundle pickup, which included a conveyor belt system that moved groceries to a central loading point for customer pickup. In the early 1960s, Star Market also acquired Brigham’s Ice Cream, a popular ice cream shop in New England. In 1964, Star Market merged with Chicago’s Jewel Tea Co. With the sale in 1964, Jewel chose to retain the original name and identity of Star Market but also created a new brand, Star Osco, a combination of a food and drug stores. Today, Osco Drug is the flagship pharmacy of some company stores. Jewel also combined Star Market in some retail centers with Turn Style to form Turn Style/Star Market Family Centers, which included a Star Market, an Osco Drug, a Turn Style and a Brigham’s Ice Cream Shop. Things did not slow down over the next two decades as Star entered the wholesale business and served as a supplier to independently owned Star Markets. Jewel was acquired by American Stores in 1984, and the Star-Osco stores were rebranded as Star Market and placed under a single management team. American Stores chose to sell off Star Market and, in 1994, found a new buyer for Star Market in Investcorp. The new leader for Star Market was Henry Nasella, who came to the company after serving as president and COO for Staples. Nasella served as president, chairman, and CEO of Star Market, expanding the supermarket chain to include new specialty and organic brands such as Wild Harvest. Another important sale came in fall 1999 when London, England-based Sainsbury’s merged Shaw’s to form Shaw’s/Star Market. In 2004, Albertson’s purchased Sainsbury’s American supermarket assets and Star Market. In 2006, a partnership of Supervalu and other investment firms, including Cerberus Capital Management acquired Albertson’s with the intent to divvy up the assets. Supervalu received Shaw’s and Star Market. In 2012, Albertsons NAI with Cerberus purchased Shaw’s and Star Market.

Important Dates

in Star Market H

istory

1915: Sarkis Mug ar purchases a Star Market store in Watertown, Massa chusetts, for $900 1922: Sarkis’ son, . Stephen Mugar, ta ke s ov er Star Market at 17 years old. 1948: Opening of new and innovativ e Newtonville stor 1964: Star Marke e. t merges with Jew el Tea Co. of Chicago form a new brand to called Star Osco. 1984: Jewel/Star M arket is purchased by American Stor 1994: Star drops es. the Osco designatio n and is sold to Investcorp; Henry Nasella is appointe d the new leader of Star Market. 1996: Star develo ps the Wild Har ve st brand. 1999: J Sainsbur y Plc, owner of Shaw ’s Supermarkets, purchases Star M arket. 2004: Albertson’s purchases Shaw ’s/ Star Market. 2006: Super valu pu rchases Shaw ’s/St ar Market. 2012: Albertsons NAI-Cerberus pu rchases Shaw ’s/St Market. ar 2015: Star Marke t marks 100th anni versar y.

The Founder of Dutch Maid Bakery, Abram Blanken, worked in Star Market’s Commercial Bakery “Dorothy Muriel’s.”

We want to Thank Star Market for the 37 years of partnership

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Happy Anniversary to Shaws and Star Market Eat what makes you happy.® ®

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Happy

anniversary from Alliance and its proud family of clients

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JULY 2015

Star Market 100th Anniversary

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Shaw’s-Star Market Committed To School And Sports Programs In Community Shaw’s and Star Market are committed to helping each community in which they serve, especially the schools and many youth sports teams. At the heart of Shaw’s and Star Market, charitable giving is part of being a good corporate citizen and is an ongoing responsibility. According to the company’s website, “By helping to create stronger communities, we enhance the quality of life for customers and employees. We know being a good neighbor also means providing for our customers beyond our store’s walls”. The company wants to help create healthy and thriving communities by supporting nonprofit organizations whose primary mission focuses on hunger relief, health and nutrition, youth and education or environmental stewardship. Ending hunger is core to the company’s charitable mission. Shaw’s/Star Market gives support to organizations that provide comprehensive hunger relief programming

and food distribution. The company also funds organizations promoting nutrition education and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet. Additionally, Shaw’s/Star Market is committed to working with local schools and education programs and organizations. It is equally committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable operations and supports local efforts toward sustainability. Through the years, Shaw’s/Star Market has donated to many area causes—from The One Fund, which provided relief to those impacted by the Boston Marathon tragedy, to the current drive to aid the Boston Children’s Hospital. The program, called “Give a Smile,” provides customers the opportunity to give a smile by purchasing a $1 or $5 donation scan card throughout the month of June. These donations will support breakthrough research and world-class care for children.

Other Community Campaigns In The Last Year We Love Our Schools In September 2014, Shaw’s Supermarkets and Star Market launched its “We Love Our Schools” campaign. In keeping with Shaw’s Supermarket and Star Market’s tradition dating back 155 years of serving New England communities, all stores adopted two area schools, each of which received a $400 donation. More than 300 schools received donations totaling $125,000. “Investing in the education and future of students throughout New England creates a foundation for a better future for all of us,” said Shaw’s President Jim Rice. “The Shaw’s and Star Market team is comprised of a lot of New Englanders who attended some of these schools, and they’ve built careers and families here,” he added. “Making this contribution to our local schools is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the educators who prepared them to help lead our stores and offices, and is also a promise that we’ll continue to make investing in education a priority. We are happy to adopt these 310 schools and look forward to working with them throughout the upcoming school year.”

We Lo ve O ur Scho o ls!

Please see page 56

Congratulations on your 100th anniversary! Your friends at

OUR BUSINESS IS EGGS... AND MORE THAN YOU’D EXPECT.

WE DELIVER

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Congratulations

on your 155 and th 100 anniversaries! th

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Star Market 100th Anniversary

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From page 54

Believe In Heroes Campaign In 2014, Shaw’s/Star Market joined a national movement to support veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project Believe in Heroes campaign with the support of dozens of leading national brands and thousands of grocery retailers.  The Believe in Heroes campaign calls on Americans to show their appreciation for this generation of veterans through the simple act of everyday grocery shopping. Believe in Heroes was created in 2010 by Wounded Warrior Project in collaboration with Acosta Sales & Marketing to make a positive impact on the new generation of injured service members who have made significant sacrifices to preserve freedom and protect the U.S. Toys For Tots Campaign Each year the Shaw’s Store Support Center organizes a toy drive to support Toys for Tots. Last year, Shaw’s/Star Market set the bar high, with a goal to donate 1,000 toys. In just 12 days the company surpassed the goal through donations made by employees in the support office and from nearby Shaw’s and Star Market stores. A total of 1,215 toys were donated to local children in need. Master Sgt. Bill Garvey, a U.S. Marine representing Toys for Tots, had to call for backup, as one van couldn’t handle the load. Garvey has been coming to collect toys at the Shaw’s office for the past five years. Garvey said, “Most people don’t get to see what I see. It’s so special, being able to help thousands of children whose parents just can’t afford to buy them gifts.” Supporting Local Hockey Communities Over the winter, Shaw’s and Star Market celebrated the spirit of Kraft Hockeyville USA by supporting youth hockey. Representatives at all Shaw’s and Star Market stores made a $500 donation, $77,500 combined, to a local hockey team in

Congratulations to

their community. “From pick-up games on the local ponds after school to the ice rinks filled with families throughout the week, the fine tradition of hockey thrives here in New England,” said Rice. “We were extremely proud to partner with the Boston Bruins on this exciting program by not only making donations to 155 local teams but by also encouraging our customers to enter the contest and earn the title of “Kraft Hockeyville USA.” This was the first time Kraft’s Canadian-born Hockeyville program expanded to the U.S. to help build better hockey communities throughout the country. Hockey communities across the U.S. vied for the title of “Kraft Hockeyville USA” and entered for a chance to win the grand prize of hosting an NHL Pre-Season game televised live on NBCSN and $150,000 in upgrades. Two local teams from Quincy, Massachusetts, and Highgate, Vermont, were selected to receive $20,000 in arena upgrades. Rice added, “At Shaw’s and Star Market, having strong ties to the community is what helps define who we are as a company. Dedication to the community will always be at our core. We’re extremely proud to help those in need.” Youth League To Big League Shaw’s and Star Market, along with Entercom Communications, are continuing their relationship with WEEI Sports Radio and the Red Sox Radio Network with the “Youth League to Big League Sweepstakes.” The in-store campaign, running through Aug. 13, offers Shaw’s and Star Market customers a chance to win prizes throughout the baseball season. The sweepstakes will reward one customer each week for buying participating products. Shaw’s and Star Market customers who purchase five participating items in a single

transaction are eligible to enter “Youth League to Big League,” with a chance to win prizes, including the opportunity to watch batting practice on the field, announce batters during a broadcast, get their name displayed on the Fenway Park Jumbotron or have a VIP tour of the ballpark. Having been part of the local community for more than 150 years, we appreciate the value that New Englanders place on tradition,” said Rice. “WEEI and the Red Sox Radio Network are part of the fabric of this great sports city, and we are excited to tap into that passion for another season.” Added Phil Zachary, Entercom New England VP and market manager, “WEEI and the Red Sox Radio Network are honored to continue this partnership with Shaw’s and Star Market. Their quality products and service, coupled with the sounds of baseball on the radio, are synonymous with summertime in New England. The ‘Youth League to Big League Sweepstakes’ is just one more example of the synergy between Shaw’s and Star Market supermarkets, WEEI and the Red Sox Radio Network.” Additionally, Shaw’s and Star Market sponsor youth league baseball teams throughout New England and, for the past two years, have made a $500 donation to local youth baseball teams in their community for a combined total donation of $77,500.

on your 100th AnniversAry

To Jim Fowler and his entire staff (category managers and their assistants, buyers, people in charge of receiving and fines, accounting people, ad designers, receptionists) and for every person I’ve had the pleasure of working with since 1978 at Star Market. For a company to stay in business for 100 years is an amazing feat and accomplishment so congratulations to every person over all those years who was a part of this great accomplishment! As most companies and people we all have had our ups and downs. It is no secret that the company that is being honored and saluted this month has had theirs. What is amazing and wonderful is that a very few short years ago Star Market and Shaws was given up for “an entity of the past.” Due to the perseverance, hard work, caring and never give up attitude of so many employees, Star Market is having a great resurgence! I hope that all of the people who gave up on them have come back because they deserve it! On a personal note, I want to thank everyone always associated with Star Market (& Shaws). They are among the few grocery companies in this industry of ours who have always supported my family businesses with no questions asked. Have they been easy on me – certainly not. However, the loyalty, caring and professionalism this company has always exhibited should be commended and admired. In my opinion it is because of this that the consumers of Boston have embraced and stuck with Star Markets! I wish every Star Market and Shaws associate many years of great health and business success!

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Congratulations Star Market on your 100th AnniversAry

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JULY 2015

Broker Briefs JOH To Open New Chicago Office JOH, Billerica, Massachusetts, an independent, family-owned broker with 14 offices nationwide, plans to open a Chicago office led by George David Crosby, who has more than 29 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry. “It is an exciting time for JOH as we build our business in this dynamic market and continue to expand our geographical coverage,” said John Saidnawey, JOH president and COO. “Our business is evolving, and we must continue to meet the needs of our clients and customers.” Crosby has worked in sales, retail operations and sales management since George Crosby 1986, having varied levels of responsibilities with The Gillette Co., Godiva, Papyrus, Sears and Affy Tapple LLC. He will report to Gerry Castignetti, EVP sales manager, and will have a team supporting him from various departments, including account management, category management, retail merchandising, customer service and financial management.

JOH adds two account executives

Marilynn Rera has joined JOH as a senior account business manager in the Upstate New York office. In addition, JOH announced that Doug Parker has joined the company as Account Executive in the Metro New York- New Jersey office. Rera has over 28 years of experience in the food business. Her most recent position was at Advantage Sales & Marketing where she managed the Unilever business. She has a strong grocery background representing American Home Food Products and Best Foods for over 16 years. Specialty Foods have also been a large part of Marilynn’s career, as she spent eight years at Cavallaro Foods managMarilynn Rera Doug Parker ing various specialty and ethnic food clients and customers. Parker has more than 30 years of experience in the CPG industry. His most recent position was at French’s Food Company where he was the National Sales Director For Retail. He served as national sales director for the past 14 years managing Reckitt Benckiser food products across grocery and non-food channels.

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Advantage Sales & Marketing And Smollan Group Announce Global Partnership Advantage Sales & Marketing and The Smollan Group are forming a strategic international partnership to become a global provider of innovative outsourced sales and marketing solutions for consumer goods companies and retailers. Advantage has more than 40,000 associates providing consumer goods suppliers and retailers with headquarter sales, business intelligence, retail merchandising, marketing and technology solutions. Smollan is a provider of sales and marketing solutions in developing and emerging markets operating across five continents with 60,000 employees and associates. Smollan also has a partnership with WPP, a major global leader in advertising and marketing services. WPP is the world’s largest communications services group with billings of U.S. $76 billion and revenues of U.S. $19 billion. The company employs more than 188,000 people (including associates and investments) in more than 3,000 offices across 111 countries. Under the terms of the international partnership, Advantage will make an investment in Smollan, and the two companies will cooperate to provide global services with Advantage taking primary responsibility for execution within North America and Smollan taking primary responsibility for execution within Africa, the Middle East, South America, Australia and East and South Asia. The two companies will offer a unified solution across Europe through a newly formed joint venture. “We have developed immense respect for the Smollan organization as we have interacted with them over the past few years to drive and challenge each other on best practices and technology enablers,” said Tanya Domier, Advantage CEO. “We are now excited to call them partners and deploy these practices and analytical and reporting platforms across our complementary markets to offer clients seamless visibility and score-carding, as well as a consultative, single point of contact with a global view of the business—essentially an efficient, one-stop shop for clients and customers worldwide.”

Beacon United To Represent B&G Foods BeaconUnited has been appointed as the national broker of record for B&G Foods’ grocery brands in Albertsons/Safeway. B&G Foods of New Jersey and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute a diversified portfolio of brands, including Ortega, Cream of Wheat, Mrs. Dash, Maple Grove Farms, Bear Creek and many more. Four BeaconUnited members make up the B&G Foods broker team—Co-Sales in the West, Carlin O’Brien in the Midwest, ArchPoint in the Southwest and ESM on the East Coast.

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The Griffin Report of the Northeast • JULY 2015

Column

Supermarket Column

The Growing Emphasis On Fresh By now it is well established in the minds of grocery shoppers that fresh equates with locally sourced produce. And the quality and freshness of perishables is at the top of the list of consumer priorities in deciding where to shop. According to the 2015 Annual NGA-SupermarketGuru Consumer Survey, nine out of 10 shoppers said that high-quality fruits and vegetables were “very important” in determining their choice of a primary supermarket. Driven by knowledgeable consumers who are increasingly seeking fresh food choices, independent grocers are among industry leaders in expanding their fresh selections in a variety of categories. Let’s take a quick look at what’s happening in fresh because of several growing trends:

PETER J. LARKIN

President and CEO National Grocers Association (NGA)

demand while ensuring a competitive price for locally grown fruits, vegetables and other perishables. • Nationally, fresh is making a huge splash in trendy restaurants, in part due to the creativOne innovative project is under way through a partnership between NGA and the Farm 2 ity of “locavore” cuisine. As more and more shoppers prepare meals at home, they want to Store Network. The partnership is providing NGA retail and wholesale members with access duplicate the flavors and varieties from dining out into their homemade meals. to fresh category marketing and merchandising programs, such as Farmer’s Market programs and “Meet the Growers” events. This partnership with Farm 2 Store Network empowers NGA • Shoppers have become more health- and wellness-conscious and believe that fresh is not members to develop stronger relationships with both local growers and shoppers while creatjust better for their diets, but also tastes better. This perception is being reinforced by an ing a unique and educational shopping experience. increasing emphasis on “foodie culture” that highlights Supermarkets of all sizes are trying to deliver fresh ingredients. A report from consulting company fresh and local food items to their customers, With their strong community roots and deep ATKearney found that two-thirds of a sample of 1,000 but independent supermarket operators are in understanding of what their customers want, grocery shoppers believe freshness is the most important a unique position to capitalize on this movemany independents utilize fresh as a key criteria in choosing what foods to buy. ment through the relationships they have already created with local producers in their communidifferentiator and are able to locally source • The USDA estimated total locally grown food sales in ties. With their strong community roots and deep perishables and establish their stores as the local understanding of what their customers want, 2012 at $6.1 billion, up from $4.8 billion in 2008. A more recent industry survey revealed that nearly 80 percent of many independents utilize fresh as a key differproduce leader in their regional marketplaces. retailers in 2014 reported adding more stock-keeping units entiator and are able to locally source perishables for local food compared to their 2012 SKUs—a sure indication that sales of local perishables and establish their stores as the local produce leader in their regional marketplaces. will continue growing. Whether it’s sweet corn in Ohio, peaches in South Carolina, or apples in Washington State, independent retailers across the nation are seeking out local sources as a way to meet customer While retailers have seen an uptick in consumer demand for high-quality fresh and local expectations with fresh perishables. In doing so, they’re demonstrating the sage advice behind foods, the question facing many independent supermarket operators is how to keep up with the often-used aphorism: “think global but execute local.”

Congratulations on 155 fruitful years

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Happy 100th Anniversary Recreate PMS from General Mills

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SUPERMARKET REPORT

Mondelez Reports Progress Toward Global Well-Being Goals

Kellogg’s Rewards Program Adds Brands, Goes Digital

Mondelēz International has published its “Call For Well-being 2014 Progress Report,” which details how the company says it exceeded many of its key environmental goals and took significant steps forward to meet its remaining global well-being targets by 2020.  We firmly believe that we can grow our business, while improving the well-being of the planet. Through our ‘Call For Well-being,’ we bring a business mindset and the power of our global resources together to drive change,” said Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO. “We’ve made important progress against key metrics to reduce our environmental footprint, evolve the nutrition profile of our portfolio and secure sustainable agriculture supplies. Working together with employees, partners and suppliers, we can deliver enduring solutions for our business and society,” she added. Launched in 2013, the company’s “Call For Wellbeing” is focused on four areas that are critical to the well-being of the world and where Mondelēz International says it can make the greatest impact: sustainability, mindful snacking, safety and community. Over the last year, the company says it has scaled its agricultural commodity sourcing programs, reduced its environmental footprint, increased portion-control options to help consumers snack mindfully and united community partners, suppliers and employees to help drive positive change locally and globally.   The following are key sustainability highlights of the company’s progress toward achieving its goals: • Exceeded goal to reduce manufacturing waste by

Kellogg has made improvements to the Family Rewards program that it launched in the U.S. in 2012. Program members now can collect their points automatically on their cards, without having to enter the codes found on the inside of those packages, and more products have been added to the program. Points can be redeemed for coupons, gift cards, sweepstakes and merchandise. Members also can donate to K–12 schools or a variety of hunger-relief charities. Kellogg says it is the first consumer packaged goods company to use a combination of retailer frequent shopper integration and receipt scanning to collect points for purchase. Points for Kellogg foods purchased at retailers with participating frequent shopper programs will automatically be added to members’ Kellogg’s Family Rewards accounts when shoppers link their retailer membership number to Kellogg’s Family Rewards. For purchases at retail locations without participating frequent shopper programs, members can take a photo of their receipts with their mobile phones and text or upload them to Kellogg’s Family Rewards to collect their points. Members can also use a digital camera or scanner, and upload receipts from their computers, if they prefer. The additional brands that now are participating in Kellogg’s Family Rewards include Pringles, Murray and Murray Sugar Free cookies, Kellogg’s Origins cereal, Keebler Ready Crusts pie crusts and Cheez-It Crunch’D. According to AC Nielsen, more than 60 percent of U.S. households say loyalty programs are important in their shopping decisions. However, despite their popularity, one of the challenges people have with these programs is collecting and entering points tied to purchases. “The Kellogg’s Family Rewards program is already a terrific benefit to our U.S. consumers; the website has more traffic than all other Kellogg U.S. websites combined,” said Larry Bruck, Kellogg Co.’s VP of global marketing. “We’re confident the new technology will encourage even more people to participate in the program since it’s even easier to collect points to earn rewards.” More information can be found at KelloggsFamilyRewards.com.

15 percent by 2015. Through 2014, there was a 57 percent reduction—four times the original goal. • Achieved goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 15 percent in manufacturing a year ahead of schedule. • Eliminated 89 million pounds of packaging— nearly doubling the original target. • Met goal of having 100 percent of palm oil be RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) two years ahead of commitment. • On target to sustainably source key commodities. At the end of 2014, 12 percent of cocoa, 61 percent of coffee and 60 percent of the company’s Western European biscuits were sustainably sourced. • On target to deliver 25 percent of revenue from Better Choice products by 2020. • On target to increase individually wrapped portion-control options 25 percent by 2020. • On track to meet sodium reduction goal of 10 percent by 2020. • Strengthened its marketing to children policy. Starting in 2016, the company no longer will advertise products directly to children under age 12. • On target to achieve FSSC 22000 (Food System Safety Certification) for all internal manufacturing facilities by 2015. In 2014, 90 percent of manufacturing sites were certified. • On target to meet goal to invest $50 million in healthy lifestyle community partnerships. In 2014, allocated more than $30 million (64 percent) to programs across 13 countries.

Congratulations 100 years 155 years

on your anniversary

from

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Obituaries

SUPERMARKET REPORT

Harold Lombardi

Nathan Langer

Basil Kaloyanides

Harold Lombardi, 69, former executive director of the Frozen & Refrigerated Association of the Northeast (FRANE) passed away June 12 at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers, Massachusetts. Mr. Lombardi was known for his telephone greeting, “Welcome to the wonderful world of frozen foods.” Donna Maglio, current FRANE execHarold Lombardi utive director, said, “Harold was a kind man with a great passion for FRANE and its members. He will be greatly missed.” Born and raised in Lynn, he was the son of the late Francis J. and Grace (Lima) Lombardi. He graduated St. Mary’s High School of Lynn, Massachusetts in 1963 and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He enjoyed travel, golf, old movies and reading, especially Stephen King novels. Mr. Lombardi was a New England Patriot and Boston Red Sox fan. Besides his wife, Linda (Pierni) Lombardi. He leaves two sons, Frank Lombardi and his wife Colleen of Charlton, Massachusetts, and Kevin Lombardi and his wife Michelle of Plymouth, Massachusetts. He also leaves five grandchildren: Thomas, Olivia, Benjamin, Dominic and Drew. Mr. Lombardi was the son-in-law of Mary Pierni of Revere, Massachusetts, and brother-in-law of Nancy Casey and her husband Robert of Avon, Connecticut. Mr. Lombardi also leaves many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Mary’s School, 35 Tremont St, Lynn, MA 01902. BisbeePorcella Funeral Home of Saugus, Massachusetts handled the arrangements.

Mr. Nathan Langer, founder and president of Langer Juice Co., died June 3 following complications from a stroke. Mr. Langer founded Langer Juice Co. in 1960 and co-founded Unadulterated Foods (later known as Snapple) in 1973. He also was a Holocaust survivor. Mr. Langer, a native of Krakow, Poland, grew up in a family of wine makers, where he learned the craft of Nathan Langer making high-quality and pure beverages at Arade Winery, the family winery. Following the Nazi occupation of Poland in 1939, Arade was confiscated, and Mr. Langer and his parents and sister were taken to concentration camps where his parents died. Mr. Langer also survived the Nazi bombing of his aunt’s apartment building in Warsaw that killed his sister. In 1945, Mr. Langer emigrated to the U.S. He arrived in the U.S. in 1949. While in Berlin, he met his wife of 60 years, Mira, also a Holocaust survivor, who preceded him in death. Mr. Langer founded Langer Juice Co. with the aspiration of making juice with the care and purity he learned at the family winery. He created juices that were made with locally grown fruit and without preservatives or other additives, and the company grew from a local, Southern California brand in health food stores to a national brand that is one of the largest, familyowned juice companies. In 1973, Mr. Langer and three partners founded another company, Unadulterated Foods, based on the same principles of quality and purity, the predecessor of the Snapple brand. Mr. Langer is survived by three sons, Dennis Langer, M.D.; David and Bruce Langer, co-VPs of Langer Juice Co.; daughters-in-law, Susan Langer, M.D., Melissa and Stefani; and seven grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Basil Kaolyanides, 92, a former executive of The New England Coffee Co., passed away on June 4 at his daughter Cynthia’s home surrounded by his family. He served as a 1st Lieutenant with the occupation troops in Japan and retired as a Lt Colonel in the Army Reserve after 28 years of service to his country. He graduated from Boston University College of Business Administration in 1947. He worked in the family coffee business, New England Coffee and eventually was executive V.P of sales. Mr. Kaloyanides was president of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, treasurer of the board of Hellenic College/ Holy Cross School of Theology, a member of Alpha Omega and Ahepa. He received the title of Archon of the Greek Orthodox Church. He spent his retirement years in Florida where he enjoyed playing golf and tennis and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the husband of the late Irene Pappas Kaloyanides to whom he was married for 50 years. He was father of Diane Fidurko and her husband Bill of Needham, Massachusetts; James Kaloyanides and his wife Sally of Belmont, Massachusetts,; Cynthia Paleologos and her husband Rev. Dean of W. Boylston, Massachusetts; and Michael Kaloyanides and his wife Debbie of Norwood, Massachusetts. He also leaves nine grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 57 Brown St. Weston, Massachusetts or St. Spyridon Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester, MA 01609 or to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Pl. West, 6th floor, Brookline, Massachusetts 024457226. Basil Kaloyanides

Congratulations to star Market on your 100th anniversary!

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Toufayan Bakeries Finds Success In Gluten-Free Innovation, Family Values Fresh Toufayan Pita and Wraps, staples of family breadbaskets for nearly a century, can be found on the bread aisle or bakery section of most national retailers. The company’s current management team— the third generation of Toufayans and children of the current owner, Harry Karen, Greg and Kristine Toufayan—are not resting Toufayan, siblings and the third on their laurels, though. generation of Toufayans who They’re on a mission to now run the bakery, with father gain broader brand aware- and owner, Harry Toufayan. The ness for the company and siblings have modernized the update its product port- company and its product lines folio for the 21st-century to meet consumer demand for palate. health and authenticity. Toufayan, with offices in both New Jersey and Florida, remains faithful to its roots in producing wholesome specialty breads like pita, wraps, bagels, breadsticks and lavash, but over the years the operation has benefited from increasing scale. The younger Toufayans also have invested time and money over the past several years adding more health-oriented products like a low-carb pita; 100-calorie, low-fat Smart Bagels; and 80-calorie Smart Pockets.

Gluten-free products take the spotlight

More recently, the real stars have been gluten-free products. These specialty products are popular not just among Celiac and gluten-free consumers who need these types of items for their diets; the company also is tracking increasing interest

from the general public as healthier eating continues to trend upward. “Like many food categories, consumers are still looking for great tasting variety in the foods they consume, but want to feel better about what they eat,” Karen Toufayan, director of marketing, said. “Thus, we are seeing the growth of healthier versions of baked goods that folks have always enjoyed eating. These include all natural products, non-GMO and, more recently, gluten-free products, which are seen as healthier, even by consumers who are not celiac.” Over the past several years the company has consistently introduced new certified gluten-free products. Toufayan Gluten Free Wraps offer superior rollability, the company says, meaning they are less prone to breakage than most gluten-free wraps. A wide variety of flavors also is available, including Original, Spinach, Garden Vegetable and Savory Tomato. This year at Natural Products Expo West, Toufayan launched Gluten Free Pita Chips, the first of their kind in the United States. The chips received a positive reception among both food bloggers and retailers, who increasingly look for these types of products as consumer demand continues to rise. The pita chips, with a light and crunchy texture, are made from a flour mix composed mainly of chickpea flour and tapioca starch that creates a recognizable pita flavor. Toufayan’s Gluten Free Pita Chips are all natural, non-GMO, vegan and kosher. They are available in Sea Salt, Chili Lime and Salted Caramel varieties and are shipping to retailers nationwide. Toufayan also has introduced America to Goodie Girl cookies, a brand of naturally gluten-free cookies based on classic flavors that Shira Berk, a mom and former fashion model, makes in a TriBeCa New York City bakery. Aiming to make a cookie that was delicious and made with all-natural, gluten-free ingre-

dients, Berk created flavors like Quinoa Choco-Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. The line also includes Midnight Brownie (a chocolate cookie with chocolate chunks), Toffee Crunchy Chaos and Mint Slims, which are a gluten-free version of the famous Girl Scout-inspired flavor. “Goodie Girl is really a great example of what Toufayan hopes to do in the gluten-free market,” Karen Toufayan said. “It’s a really fun, modern brand that ‘gets’ what doing gluten-free correctly is all about. Taste is always number one, and consumers today expect a really high-quality product made from recognizable ingredients. We think Goodie Girl delivers on those promises in a way that is fairly unmatched in the gluten-free cookie category right now.

Company values drive success

The company’s business strategy is heavily reliant on strong family values, a passion for innovation and giving back to their communities. “We continually innovate amazing tasting new products by staying true to our family’s Armenian bakery roots while looking to the future and staying close to our communities,” Karen Toufayan said. “Being a family business has allowed these values to become part of our culture, which all of our associates embrace and have come to expect. It’s a small wonder that most of our employees have been with the company for years. They, too, have become part of our Toufayan family.” The company contributes to many food banks and causes such as health education in schools and an ongoing partnership with the National MS Society to promote research and funding for a cure.

Happy 100th Anniversary To Star Market

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Thank you to all of our business partners, vendors, customers and employees. Looking forward to another 100 years of success!

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