Fortune has just released its 2021 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list which identifies, selects and ranks global organizations and uncovers the business practices that make these companies highly regarded among their peers. The annual list is a collaborative effort with global management consulting firm Korn Ferry to survey around 14,000 senior executives and directors from eligible companies, along with financial analysts. The companies are rated on nine attributes – innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness – and the overall corporate reputation score is an average of the attribute scores. Taking the number two spot, not surprisingly, is Amazon, falling right behind tech darling Apple. Rounding out the top 10 is Costco and coming right behind the Issaquah, WA-based wholesaler in 11th place is Walmart. Also making the top 50 from our industry are Target (17), Proctor & Gamble (21), Coca-Cola (22), Unilever (30), CVS Health (32), PepsiCo (39), Nestle (46) and Publix (48). The list honors the companies that enjoy the strongest reputations within their industries and across industries, so kudos to all of those that made the list, especially those within our industry!
Although not on this year’s Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, The Kroger Company is still making waves with its continued push to innovate with new technologies. Forbes reported last month that the Cincinnati, OH-based pure-play supermarket chain is testing out high-tech grocery carts that allow customers to bypass checkout lines completely. The smart carts have the capability to ring up totals, make recommendations and pay directly on the cart and, because it not only makes suggestions but also exposes shoppers to additional marketing info, it has the ability to encourage customers to spend more. In a time when less human interaction is now considered a plus, thanks to the ongoing pandemic, the computer vision-enabled shopping carts, which the retailer has dubbed, KroGo, are a result of a partnership with AI firm Caper. Lindon Gao, CEO and co-founder of Caper, said in a statement, “In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for autonomous checkout technology is driving grocers and retailers to innovate and adopt new technologies that keep shoppers safe and streamline checkout.” If all goes well, this could mean that not only could you be seeing these smart carts at an area Kroger, but also at one of its many other banners across the country, including Harris Teeter, Ralph’s and Fred Meyer.
While Kroger continues to keep itself ahead of the competition in its technological and AI pursuits, it seems to be going in the opposite direction as far as the human aspect is concerned. The retailer has chosen to close two of its Long Beach, CA stores – a Ralph’s and a Food 4 Less – rather than pay the city’s recently mandated $4 per hour extra in hero pay for grocery workers during the pandemic. Long Beach is the first city in the state to introduce the measure requiring some grocery retailers to give workers a temporary hourly pay bump. In a statement released by Kroger, the supermarket chain called the move “deeply unfortunate” and said, “The irreparable harm that will come to employees and local citizens is a direct result of the City of Long Beach’s attempt to pick winners and losers.”
Trader Joe’s on the other hand, which has continued to provide hero pay even when other retailers put an end to it, just announced on its website that it will increase its “thank you” pay by $2 for all hourly, non-management crew members, which means that in total, they will receive an additional $4 per hour. The post on the company’s website states, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, Trader Joe’s has provided all hourly crew members with an additional $2/hr ‘thank you’ wage, in recognition of the outstanding, inspiring work they do every day, in our stores and communities.” The time and investment that Trader Joe’s puts into its people is one of the many reasons why it continues to be a cult favorite among shoppers – it’s great to see them showing their appreciation to their workers, especially during difficult and unsafe times like these.
Giant Food is celebrating a monumental 85 years of business in the industry this year. What started off as the first grocery store in Washington, DC in 1936 has become the perennial market leader in the DMV area with 164 stores as well as other amenities including 153 full-service pharmacies, 82 full-service PNC Banks and 24 Starbucks in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. To honor such a significant anniversary, Giant is doing what it always does – it is giving back to its communities. The Landover, MD-based brand of Ahold Delhaize USA will be donating more than $5 million to its local non-profit and organization partners throughout 2021, including $960,000 through the Giant Family Foundation that will be distributed to its five Feeding America food bank partners (Capital Area Food Bank, Maryland Food Bank, Food Bank of Delaware, Blue Ridge Food Bank and Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank) and to Martha’s Table, as well as $100,000 to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to support military families that have recently lost a loved one in service. Additionally, Giant associates volunteered at the Maryland Food Bank, Food Bank of Delaware and Martha’s Table on February 5 to help out in various ways, including packing food for those struggling with hunger.
“Reflecting on our 85th year is even more poignant knowing that our Giant Food family and our communities faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. I am proud that our legacy of community service continued and that our team never wavered in our commitment and service to our customers and to helping those in need,” said Ira Kress, president of Giant Food. “As we extend our hands and hearts into many different initiatives and programs year over year – we have proudly remained at the center of our communities and hope to continue to remain a trusted leader for our convenience, integrity, quality, and service in our exciting 85th year and beyond.”
“Giant has been a pillar in communities across the Mid-Atlantic region for decades, offering nutritious, fresh groceries while supporting local organizations like the Maryland Food Bank every step of the way,” said Carmen Del Guercio, Maryland Food Bank president and CEO. “We are grateful for Giant’s extensive partnership and support of our initiatives over the years, helping us create innovative solutions to combat food insecurity across our state. On behalf of the Maryland Food Bank, I want to personally congratulate Giant on 85 years of success in building a business that prioritizes the needs of its customers while serving its communities with compassion and care.”
And speaking of Giant, I want to send my best wishes to the magnificent Robin Moran, who after more than 40 years at the Landover retailer, retired at the end of January. Robin was a dedicated and true trailblazer who started as a part-time cashier in 1980 and worked her way through and up in the organization to eventually become director of talent, diversity and inclusion. She was also a strong and steadying force as a member and chair for the women’s leadership organization, Network of Executive Women, providing guidance and leadership there for 11 years.
Gracious and with always a smile on her face, Robin is beloved not just by those she worked with, but also those lucky enough (like me) to have had the opportunity just to engage with her.
Congratulations, Robin – I wish you well and I hope you continue to celebrate your accomplishments, enjoy your newfound freedom and always remember the positive and lasting impact that you’ve made not only within the Giant organization, but also the industry as a whole.
Until next month…
Karen can be contacted via email at [email protected].