Asheville, N.C. – Sept. 25, 2019 – From fresh cuts to easy meal solutions, beef is the top choice among consumers in grocery stores. Retailers realize it’s the focal point of their meat offerings, and are appealing to customers with easy and satisfying family meals, innovative cuts for on-trend Millennials, Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime for special occasion dinners and the brand’s farm-to-table story. To recognize these efforts, the Certified Angus Beef ® brand honored retailers in the United States and beyond at its Annual Conference, held Sept. 23-25, in Asheville, N.C. The brand’s meat processor, distributor, chef, retailer and cattle rancher partners gathered to explore merchandising and marketing solutions for delivering the branded beef to consumers worldwide.
“Our retail partners really enhanced their offerings, adding Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime, as well as ground beef and burgers in stores,” says David O’Diam, vice president of retail for the brand. “Quality-minded grocers and their customers trust the brand because of its assured quality across the meat case, deli, to-go meals and frozen foods, giving consumers the ultimate choice of meal solutions for their families and special occasions.”
Food City, Abingdon, Va., was named the Retailer of the Year. Food City has set the bar on quality and service in the Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee region by offering the Certified Angus Beef ® brand for 20 years, and by having trained butchers in stores to cut the meat and assist customers. The retailer introduced Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime in stores this year and featured the branded beef in promotions for Father’s Day, summer grilling and holiday roasting, as well as in weekly circulars and in-store signage.
Meijer Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., received both the Retail Large Chain Marketer of the Year and Retail Value-added Products Marketer of the Year awards. The first award recognized Meijer’s expertise in offering a wide selection of the brand’s fresh cuts, ground beef and Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime. Timesaving meal solutions for the value-added products honor included Certified Angus Beef ® brand Wahlburgers at Home, Ebel’s summer sausage, deli meats, marinated cuts and frozen burgers, all of which were promoted in advertising and the weekly circular. Meijer team trainings helped staff assist customers with product selections, guiding the company to earn the Top Sales Volume Large Chain Retailer and Top Retail Sales Volume Increase awards.
Trig’s, Minocqua, Wis., was named the Retail Small Chain Marketer of the Year. Trig’s stores offer top-quality meats, such as the Certified Angus Beef ® brand and now, Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime. Stores introduced bistro burger selections, too, to kickstart summer grilling season. This year, the meat team journeyed to a local Angus farm to understand the brand’s dedication to quality from the start. The beef brand was promoted in social media, advertising, radio and store signage, so customers recognize the brand and understand its quality.
ShopRite, Edison, N.J., was honored as the Retail Brand Extension Marketer of the Year. ShopRite offered a wide selection of the branded beef and introduced Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime in stores. Weekly features and advertising led customers to the meat case for their favorite cuts, where meat department staff kept the cases well stocked, and visited with customers about their product selections. Combined with training, the focus on quality helped ShopRite also to receive the brand’s No. 2 Sales Volume Large Chain Retailer award.
Lou’s Thrifty-Way Market, Norfolk, Neb., received the Independent Retail Marketer of the Year award. The single store’s meat department, where the Certified Angus Beef ® brand is featured weekly, is key to its success. Signature beef cuts include Lou’s two-pound tomahawk and T-bone steaks. Televisions in stores and ongoing promotions share information about the branded beef with customers.
Schnuck Markets, St. Louis, Mo., was recognized as the Retail Rising Star award for a large chain. The grocer renewed its focus on distinguishing itself from competitors by centering the meat case on the branded beef’s tenderness and flavor, and the store’s in-house meat butchers. Extensive promotions, including front-page features on the weekly circular, in-store signage and trained meat staff, elevated the grocer’s success with the brand, as Schnuck Markets celebrated its 25th year for offering the premium beef.
Strack & Van Til, Highland, Ind., was honored with the Retail Rising Star award for a small chain. Strack & Van Til added Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime and ground beef in stores, giving customers a wide selection of quality. The branded beef was featured regularly on the circular’s front page and in social media. Team training helped managers introduce the new products to customers.
La Michoacana Meat Market, Houston, was named the Retail Rookie of the Year. La Michoacana centers its meat department on the Certified Angus Beef ® brand’s signature quality. The grocer features the brand for all taco meat and in-store carniceritas. To let customers know about the beef’s quality, La Michoacana created a video podcast to empower employees to share information with shoppers. The brand was promoted on store signage, in social media and advertising, and at its Feria Del Taco events.
Georgia Main Food Group Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., was recognized as the International Retail Chain Marketer of the Year. The retailer featured the Certified Angus Beef ® brand in more than 36 weekly front-page ads this year, namely at Fresh St. Market and IGA locations. Additionally, it gave shoppers more reasons to come into stores for great-tasting beef and meal ideas with year-round promotions, including a sizzling summer beef campaign and meat thermometer giveaway during roasting season.
Additionally, these retailers and distributors were recognized for leading Certified Angus Beef ® brand product sales for the year:
DeMoulas Market Basket, Tewksbury, Mass. – Top Retail Average Volume Per Store – More than 10 stores
Crest Foods, Edmond, Okla. – Top Retail Average Volume Per Store – Less than 10 stores
Cermak Fresh Market, Chicago – Top Sales Volume Small Chain Retailer
Dekalb Farmers Market, Decatur, Ga. – Top Sales Volume Single Store Retailer
Amigos Foods, Chicago – Top Sales Volume Retail Distributor
TOPCO Associates Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill. – Top Sales Volume Cooperative
About the Certified Angus Beef ® brand
World renowned for its exceptional quality and generous marbling, the Certified Angus Beef ® brand is the original brand of premium beef. It was created in 1978, and is still owned today by family ranchers who are determined to bring the best Angus beef to the table through a gate-to-plate network that also includes meat companies, retailers and chefs. Ten exacting standards ensure the beef’s superior taste and tenderness in every bite. For more information, visit CertifiedAngusBeef.com or follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
