Giant Eagle Nabs Highest Honors From CAB

On the heels of being named Progressive Grocer’s 2016 Retailer of the Year, Giant Eagle has earned the same distinction from Certified Angus Beef (CAB), which recognized meat category leaders from the Pittsburgh-based retailer at its recent annual conference, in Tucson, Ariz.

Through its focus on bringing top-quality beef to customers, Giant Eagle held a store-wide grilling event and featured roasts for the holidays. Promotions included social media, targeted emails and weekly recipes. Stores offer beef that’s cut fresh in-store, as well as specialty burgers, beef kabobs and CAB brand Prime cuts. Circular features also included buy-one, get-one opportunities. Giant Eagle’s focus on premium beef earned loyal customers and the Top Retail Sales Volume Increase award.

The other CAB award winners were:

• Price Chopper and Market 32, based in Schenectady, N.Y., earned the Retail Marketer of the Year award for a large chain. Creative promotions year-round feature the CAB brand, which anchors the meat case at all Price Chopper and Market 32 stores. For example, the summer grilling promotion included in-store, print, television and radio promotions leading customers to the meat case, where their beef could be cut to order. Further, collaboration between the meat and marketing teams and the brand’s staff led to the introduction of top-quality ground beef, helping Price Chopper receive a Top Fives Sales Volume Large-chain Retailer award as well.
• Foodland Super Markets, in Hawaii, received the Retail Marketer of the Year for a Small Chain. The retailer developed comprehensive marketing programs that made the CAB brand the focal point of the meat case and front-page features. Meat department staff were trained to approach customers to discuss beef cuts and meal solutions, which aligned with a campaign inviting customers to meet Foodland’s in-house beef experts. Additionally, radio ads, coupons and social media generated sales, which led to a Top Five Sales Volume Small-chain Retailer award.
• Meijer,based un Grand Rapids, Mich., was named the Retail Value-added Products Marketer of the Year. The retailer is an innovator in offering CAB brand products in all categories: fresh meats, convenience items, frozen foods and deli meats. Meijer regularly features them in its circular, store signage, advertising and social media. Training programs for meat department staff, which provide customers with meal solutions, helped Meijer also earn awards for the Top Sales Volume Large-chain Retailer and Top Retail Average Volume Per Store With More Than 10 Stores.
• Reasor’s, in Tulsa, Okla., received the Retail Brand Extension Marketer of the Year award. Stores offer a selection of premium fresh cuts, including CAB brand Prime and some dry-aged steaks. Deli and convenience meats also give customers more options for mealtime. Informed meat staff help customers choose beef cuts. Videos with cooking tips and the semi-annual “fill your freezer” sales also help customers enjoy great-tasting beef year-round.
• DeMoulas Market Basket, in Tewksbury, Mass., was named the Retail Rising Star. Custom marketing materials throughout stores and monthly cooking demonstrations with coupons and recipes lead customers to the meat case. DeMoulas has also been offering a wider selection of fresh beef cuts since introducing CAB brand products two years ago.
• Hays Supermarkets, based in Wynne, Ark., received the Retail Rookie of the Year award for its year-long focus on introducing CAB brand products to customers. Throughout the year, Hays stores featured the brand in promotions and focused on offering ground beef to shoppers as a quality advantage in the market.
• Centro Cuesta Nacional, in the Dominican Republic, was recognized as the International Retail Marketer of the Year. The single-store retailer uses a comprehensive marketing plan to offer a wide selection of CAB brand cuts. Billboards, print advertising in major publications, social media and in-store promotions explain beef quality and lead customers to the meat case.

“We are proud to partner with these companies and congratulate their ongoing successes,” said John Stika,president of the Wooster, Ohio-based beef brand. “Every time they recommend the Certified Angus Beef  brand, they embrace our family ranching heritage and dedication to quality from farm to table.”
 

Additional companies recognized for their success in, and dedication to, offering CaB brand products include:
 

• DeKalb Farmers Market, Decatur, Ga.: Top Sales Volume Single-store Retailer
• Crest Foods, Edmond, Okla.: Top Retail Average Volume Per Store With Less Than 10 stores
• Strack & Van Til Supermarket, Highland, Ind.: Top Sales Volume Small-chain Retailer
• TOPCO Associates, Elk Grove Village, Ill.: Top Sales Volume Cooperative
• Central Grocers, Joliet, Ill.: Top Sales Volume Retail Distributor