Strack & Van, HEB Mexico Among Top CAB Innovators

Strack & Van Til Supermarket took top honors as Certified Angus Beef’s Retail Marketer of the Year, while HEB Mexico and Roche Brothers, Inc., picked up top honors as International Retail Marketer of the Year and Brand Extension Marketer of the Year, respectively, at the Wooster, Ohio-based branded beef company’s annual conference earlier this month.

“Our retail partners continue to go above and beyond to promote the Certified Angus Beef brand through creative marketing, merchandising and staff training,” says John Stika, CAB president. “As beef experts, they understand quality and effectively provide consumers with the premium beef they desire.”

Five retail companies were recognized at the conference for innovative promotions and brand integrity, including:

•Strack & Van Til Supermarket (pictured above), Highland, Ind., Retail Marketer of the Year, focused on customer promotions year-round and experienced tremendous growth in sales as a result. The chain, which also includes Ultra Foods and Town & Country banners, opened eight new stores in the past year.

•HEB Mexico, Monterrey, Mexico, International Retail Marketer of the Year, reached consumers with beef cooking classes and in-store demonstrations. A new Smartphone app gives customers immediate access to beef recipes and videos. HEB also received the Retail Commitment to Integrity Award for protecting and promoting the Certified Angus Beef brand name.

•Roche Brothers, Inc., Wellesley, Mass., received the award for Retail Brand Extension Marketer of the Year. The 18-store chain added sales this year with the introduction of Certified Angus Beef brand Prime ground beef and deli roast beef.

•Dahl’s Foods, Des Moines, Iowa, Retail Advertiser of the Year, was recognized for bringing brand awareness to central Iowa through television and radio. The dedicated retail licensee features the brand at several community events, too. Dahl’s creative advertising was also selected by peers at the conference to receive a People’s Choice Award.

•Real Canadian Superstore, Brampton, Ontario, Retail Rising Star, introduced the Certified Angus Beef brand with trainings for staff serving in more than 100 stores. Sales continue to grow as the chain adds product offerings and increases brand knowledge through meat department contests and customer promotions.

Six companies also received awards for the most Certified Angus Beef product sold during the past year.

•Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., Top Sales Volume Large Chain Retailer And Top Retail Sales Volume Increase Top Retail Sales Volume Increase
•Skogen’s Festival Foods, Onalaska, Wis., Top Sales Volume Small Chain Retailer and Top Retail Average Volume Per Store (more than 10 stores)
•Crest Foods, Edmond, Okla., Top Retail Average Volume Per Store (less than 10 stores)
•DeKalb Farmers Market, Decatur, Ga., Top Sales Volume Single Store Retailer
•Central Grocers, Joliet, Ill., Top Sales Volume Retail Distributor
•TOPCO Associates, Elk Grove Village, Ill., Top Sales Volume Cooperative