Chief Supermarkets’ Skylar Headlines Latest Industry Talk Episode

In the first of this two-part exclusive video segment Progressive Grocer’s Joe Tarnowski discusses the innovative culture at 12-store, Defiance, Ohio-based Chief Supermarkets with its president and CEO, Stephanie Skylar.

Recently honored with the National Grocers Association’s (NGA) Women Grocers of America (WGA) Woman of the Year award, Skylar’s community and associate-focused leadership has contributed greatly to the success of the 60-year-old company, whose stores are found throughout Northwest and West Central Ohio. In fact, a huge factor in Chief Supermarkets’ success in recent years can be tied to be Skylar’s devotion to Chief University, the company’s comprehensive, hands-on associate training program.

Launched in 2009, the university is a vehicle to capture employee talent throughout the organization by teaching associates the skills needed to tackle the new jobs that local retailing demands. “Not for school, but for life,” remains the program’s motto, and Skylar’s dedication to it is no exception. “It is all about dealing with the customers,” she underscores in the video interview.

Stay tuned for part two of this exclusive interview when Skylar discusses curriculum specifics and challenges, and the future of Chief University.

Industry Talk, co-produced by DemandTec, is the first-of-its-kind executive insights video platform in the retail food industry, and consists of a robust lineup of additional profiles with other industry leaders, who discuss top-of mind issues impacting the supermarket industry.