September 2014

IFRA-GMA Annual ConferenceOctober 8-9, 2014 - Tinley Park, IL

The IFRA-GMA Annual Conference takes center stage Wednesday, October

8, 2014, at the Odyssey Country Club,  and Thursday October 9, 2014, at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

Two full days of activities include a series of informative and timely educational programs, a fun-filled day of golf to benefit the Education Foundation, an Expo floor showcasing the latest industry trends, products and services, the second annual statewide bagging contest and the evening awards banquet honoring IFRA members who have recently announced their retirements after a lifetime in this industry.

A complete program of activities in enclosed in this Monthly Report.

The second Annual statewide Bagging Championship is being held Thursday, October 9, 2014, at 10:45 a.m. We encourage member stores to participate in this nationally recognized NGA program that highlights customer service and builds team spirit for the competition. IFRA member companies participating include Berkot's Super Foods, Fair Play Foods, Niemann Foods, Strack & Van Til, Sullivan's Foods and Sunset Foods. The winner of the Illinois state

Illinois Best Bagger

Championship

SecondAnnual October 9, 2014

contest moves on to the national championship at the NGA Convention, February 8-11, 2015 in Las Vegas, where he/she will compete with winners from other participating states.  More information on the bagging contest inside. Thank you to Central Grocers and Lipari Foods – bagging contest sponsors. Please call the Association office for more information or to let us know that you will host a contest in your company with the winner going to the state finals! 

We encourage you to make every effort to attend and to register your company personnel for informative educational sessions. Please help us make this a great conference by your support and participation. We look forward to welcoming you to Tinley Park.

Tinley Park Convention Center

Odyssey Country Club

continud 2

Day 1: Wednesday, October 8Education Sessions Odyssey Country ClubSpecial Education Series for Owners, Managers and Assistant Managers

10:00 a.m. “Shrink Control Best Practices For Immediate Profit Gain”

Guest Speaker: Larry Miller – Retail Control Group Supermarket and C-store operators are losing nearly three percent of potential profit to shrink according to all new 2013 research, which also reveals that 64 percent of store shrink is caused by poor store operating practices. Presentation

will cover why these losses are happening and what to do to cure excessive shrink loss. In this

75-minute, fast-paced workshop, participants will learn the Top Six Operating Best Practices to control store shrink and more.12 noon Lunch – Industry Networking1:00 p.m. “Teamwork Makes the Dream Team” Guest Speaker: Rob Bell – Focus Consulting

Great places to work start with great teams. Great teams are made up of professionals who know that they are successful only when they help each other be successful. Light a fire under your team members and learn the importance of everyone carrying the torch their share to make the distance.  

2:45 p.m. “The Main Thing is to Keep The Main Thing, the Main Thing”

Guest Speaker Rob Bell moderates share groups on various topics

5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception – Cash Bar

6:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner for seminar attendees & golfers

Golf Tournament Odyssey Country ClubA fun-filled day on the golf coure of the beautiful and challenging Odyssey Country Club.11:30 a.m. Registration and Lunch12:30 p.m. Golf Outing: Shot-Gun Start5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception 6:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner for education attendees and golfers

Program of ActivitiesOdyssey Country Club

IFRA-GMA 2014 Annual ConferenceOctober 8-9, 2014

2014

Day 2: Thursday, October 9Tinley Park Convention Center7:00 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting

8:30 a.m. Service Excellence: How to WOW Customers Guest Speaker Rob Bell

Every team member has the opportunity to enhance your company’s reputation. When face-to-face with a customer, each employee represents the whole organization. The key is to make sure each interaction earns a ringing endorsement. 

9:30 a.m. Network with Industry Peers

9:45 a.m. Data Security & PCI Compliance Protecting customer data should be a top priority

for all retailers. In this session we will review best practices in data security and latest trends in PCI Compliance to help minimize security risks.

10:45 a.m. Best Bagger Competition

10:45 a.m. Expo Opening

Program of Activities

Kerry Lavelle

3:00 p.m. General Session: “Key Provisions in Grocery Store Leases” Guest Speaker Kerry Lavelle, Lavelle Law, LTD

4:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception Rich Daniels and the City Lights Orchestra

Quartet

5:30 p.m. Industry Awards Banquet This year’s honorees: Joe Busch -Valu Merchandisers John Clavio - Country Squire Joe Koppeis -The Market Place Jim Otte - Country Squire Dave Wilkinson - Strack & VanTil Tom Woodlock - Sentry Foods

7:00 p.m. Grand Raffle Drawing Please be generous in your support of the

Education Foundation. Thank you. Adjournment

Tinley Park Convention Center

IFRA-GMA 2014 Annual ConferenceOctober 8-9, 2014

Are you Illinois’ Best Bagger?Quality customer service is a hallmark of the independent grocer. Knowledgeable, friendly employees are one of the grocery industry’s most valuable assets. Bagging has been an important first step for many supermarket employees who have pursued long and rewarding careers in the grocery industry.

Host a Bagging Competition in your StoreHosting this NGA nationally recognized Bagging Competition in your company is a great way to develop skilled customer service programs, while adding fun and excitement and a team spirit to encourage employees to excel in their positions. Entrants must spend more than 25 percent of the time at work bagging groceries, no age restrictions.

Please visit the IFRA website for a complete list of guidelines on how to run your own in-store contest at www.ilfood.org. The winner of your company contest will compete for the state championship on October 9 at the IFRA-GMA Annual Conference. Please call the Association office today to let us know that you would like to host a company competition.

Annual Conference & Expo

First place prize$500 cash prize& trip to the National Best Bagger Contest at the NGA Annual Convention in Las Vegas (Feb. 8-11, 2015), including airfare and hotel.Second place prize: $250Third Place Prize: $100

Statewide first place winner advances to the national competition in Las Vegas for a chance to win:1st Place: $10,0002nd Place: $5,0003rd - 5th Place: $1,000

Criteria for choosing a best bagger include:l Speedl Proper bag-building

techniquel Style and attitude

Illinois Best Bagger

Championship

SecondAnnual

October 9, 2014

2014

Awards Banquet

The association is pleased to be honoring the following members for a lifetime of service to the food industry. Their exceptional leadership, their passion for the industry and their compassion for others have not

only benefited their respective companies, but the industry overall and the communities in which they served. In their retirement, we wish them the very best. IFRA and GMA proudly honors the distinguished careers of:

Jim Otte - Country Squire

Dave Wilkinson - Strack & VanTil

Tom Woodlock - Sentry Foods

Joe Busch - Valu Merchandisers

John Clavio - Country Squire

Joe Koppeis - The Market Place, Columbia

Congratulations

Thursday, October 9, 2014Cocktails 4:30 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m.Music of the City Lights Orchestra QuartetTable discounts available

2014

Call the Association office for tickets at 630-627-8100

*Top three prizes subject to appropriate increase or reduction based upon sale of 250 tickets.

T he IFR A Scholarship Fund

All proceeds benefit the IFRA Education Foundation

Scholarship Fund

For the 2014-15 academic year, 82 scholarships

have been awarded totaling $67,000.

$5,000 Grand Prize*

$1,500 Second Prize*

$500 Third Prize*

plus 1 in Every 10 Tickets Wins $200

Announcing

i Ticket Price: $100

i The cost of a ticket can be

shared by up to 10 people.

i See back of ticket for details

and room for additional names.

i Anyone can sell these

tickets. Anyone can buy these

tickets.

i The best odds ever of

winning!

i One in every 10 tickets

WINS!

Grand Raffle Sponsored by

Illinois Food Retailers

Education Foundation

at The IFRA-GMA Annual Conference & Expo

Drawing will be held:

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Illinois

Additional tickets are available from the IFRA office:

Illinois Food Retailers Education Foundation1919 S. Highland Ave.Lombard, IL 60148630-627-8100 Toll free in IL: 800-624-6712

2014

EducationEducation

IFRA

Foundation

The Monthly Report is the official member publication of the Illlinois Food Retailers Association1919 S. Highland Ave.Lombard, IL 60148

Telephone: 630-627-8100Toll free in IL: 800-624-6712www.ilfood.org

IFRA 2014 Conference Sponsors (as of 9/10/14)

Each year, monetary contributions are provided by companies which help to underwrite the cost of the Annual Conference & Expo. With most sincere gratitude, we salute the following companies

who are supporting the Association through the Sponsorship Program.

A & B Photo & PrintAnheuser Busch, Inc.Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Mgmt.Assurance AgencyAunt Millie’s BakeriesBerkel Midwest Sales & ServiceBimbo Bakeries USABunzl DistributionCaito Foods Services, Inc.Cargill Food DistributionCentral Grocers Inc.Certco, Inc.Chicago Baking CompanyChiquita Brands/Fresh ExpressCommercial Waste Systems, Inc.Cummins-Allison CorporationDean Foods CompanyDesigner GreetingsDoreen’s Gourmet Frozen PizzaFisher Printing, Inc.FMS SolutionsFood Industry NewsGold Medal Products

Gonnella Frozen ProductsHess Meat Machines/Mettler ToledoImpact Sales MidwestIndianapolis Fruit CompanyIntegrys Energy ServicesKeHE DistributorsKraft FoodsLavelle Law, Ltd.Leach Food Equipment DistributorsLipari FoodsMondelez InternationalNash Finch CompanyNIAS Inventory ServiceNorth Country Business ProductsNorthern Illinois Food BankNorthstar Lottery GroupPan-O-Gold BakeryPepsi Beverages CompanyPinnacle Propane ExpressPinpoint SoftwarePorte Brown LLCPOS Plus LLCPrairie Farms Dairy

Prompt Graphics CompanyRetail Data SystemsRetail Inventory ServicesSnyder’s – Lance, Inc.Stevens & Tate MarketingTCI Architects/Engineers/ContractorU.S. RefrigerationValu Merchandisers CompanyW. Newell /SuperValuWorldPay

PlatinumArthur J. Gallagher Risk

Management ServicesCentral Grocers, Inc.Gallagher Retirement ServicesGrocery Merchandising AssociationIllinois Retail Merchants AssociationSuperValu-Midwest RegionWorld Pay

Silver SponsorsAnheuser- BuschCoca Cola Refreshments USADesigner GreetingsIndianapolis Fruit CompanyNorthstar Lottery GroupPepsi Beverages Company

DiamondAunt Millie’s BakeriesBimbo Bakeries USADean FoodsKeHE DistributorsKraft FoodsLipari FoodsMondelez InternationalSpartan NashPrairie Farms Dairy

Gold SponsorsAffiliated Foods MidwestBerkot’s Super FoodsCertco, Inc.Chicago Baking Company – Lewis

BakeriesIndianapolis Fruit Company

Bronze SponsorsChiquita Brands - Fresh ExpressRetail Data SystemsRon’s Produce CompanyWinkler

Illinois Best Bagger Competition SponsorsCentral Grocers, Inc.Lipari Foods

Management Training Program SponsorsCentral Grocers, Inc.Lipari Foods

2014

IFRA 2014 Conference Exhibitors (as of 9/10/14) 

Our sincere thanks to the following companies that are participating in this year’s Expo. Your support is greatly appreciated.  Also, thank you to the IFRA retail members who are taking time out of their busy schedule to come out and view the wide variety of

products, equipment and services that will be on display. Our exhibitors are looking forward to meeting you on the trade show floor.

©Illinois Food Retailers Association/Page 8

September is We Card Awareness

Month across the country, and we encourage all Illinois retailers to continue in their efforts to successfully identify and prevent age-restricted product sales to minors.

The legal requirements of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations governing certain tobacco products, combined with state level restrictions and the rising focus on e-cigarettes, pushes responsible retailing of age-restricted products to a new level.

The national retailer violation rate with youth access to tobacco laws is 9.6 percent — significantly below the target percent rate. Even so, preventing age-restricted product sales to minors continues to be a top retail industry priority. Furthermore, Illinois has a violation rate of 11.4 percent that is above the national average according to the FFY 2013 Synar Report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Retailers must continue to do everything possible to make sure age-restricted products are not sold to minors. Ongoing training and education are an important part of any effective strategy to prevent underage sales.

"Trained retail employees are confident and prepared to identify and deny underage attempts to purchase tobacco, e-cigarettes or other age-restricted products," said We Card president Doug Anderson. "We Card Awareness Month helps reinforce retailers’ daily efforts and highlights the services and tools We Card offers to help them complete it."

FDA requirements of retailers demand the “carding” of every under 27-year- old customer for cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, smokeless tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco. Additional products, such as cigars and e-cigarettes, may be added

September is We Card Awareness Month2015 We Card Materials Available for Order at WeCard.org

to this requirement since FDA proposed adding them to the list of restricted products earlier this year. Since 2010 FDA has completed more than 320,000 retail compliance checks to see if retailers are asking for ID of customers under 27 years old and rejecting those underage purchase attempts.

Illinois retailers have experienced 6,355 checks since FDA starting doing compliance checks, and that number will only increase.

Furthermore, e-cigarettes are now considered age-restricted products in nearly 40 states – including Illinois – so an increased focus on responsible retailing and knowing which products to “card” and deny sales to minors

is particularly important for the retail industry.

To help retailers, We Card Awareness Month launches the availability of We Card’s 2015 materials, including a range of new age-of-purchase calendars and tools. From Labor Day to New Year’s Eve, it is We Card’s busiest time of the year since retailers order the coming year’s Age-of-Purchase Calendar – a daily reminder age-calculation tool – and a range of other point-of-sale tools and signage to equip their stores.

We Card also offers award-winning training courses offered online through We Card’s eLearning Center at www.wecard.org or through licensing to retailers and other organizations.

The Great American Milk Drive Helps Give Gallons to Those in Need During Hunger Action MonthAccording to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet there is a nationwide shortage because it is rarely donated. Feeding America clients receive the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year. The Great American Milk Drive has been created to help change that. It is the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most.

Hunger impacts one in six Americans; we share this with you because September is Hunger Action Month. Hunger has no boundaries and is a problem that exists in urban, suburban and rural communities across Illinois. It’s been a challenge for Feeding America to meet the demand for milk due to the lack of donations – with canned goods and other non-perishable items more likely to be donated. Now, it’s going to be easier for Illinois residents to lend a hand and contribute nutritious milk to food-insecure families.

With the simple click of a mouse (www.milklife.com/give) or text message (text “Milk” to 27722), it is now be possible to buy much-needed milk and donate it for as little as $5.00 to a family who does not have regular access to milk. By entering your zip code, you can ensure that the milk is delivered from the farm to a local Feeding America food bank in your very own community.

You also have an opportunity to amplify this message in your stores to get your local community involved. By going to the following website, you can download and order materials to utilize in store http://gotmilksales.org/drive.