What's New
Want to learn more about the Retail Management Certificate Program? Join us for these upcoming webinars…
As a follow-up to the successful 2016 Retail Management Certificate Summit, the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI) are co-hosting informational webinars for retailers, state associations and community colleges. Please click on the appropriate link below to register for one of these complimentary webinars. Retailers Tuesday, August 16th - 1pm ET Register Now! State Associations Wednesday,... Read More
Continuing to Upskill
Last April, our industry-driven Retail Management Certificate was formally recognized at the White House, during an important convening on Upskilling America, a call to action to help low-wage workers train for better jobs with bigger paychecks. One-year later, 100 employers employing 5 million workers have upskilled tens of thousands of frontline workers. This includes the amazing work of our participating companies and our community... Read More
California Grocers Association makes enhancements to their Tuition Reimbursement Program
The California Grocers Association (CGA) has announced enhancements to their Tuition Reimbursement Program. Retail Management Certificate tuition and textbooks are eligible for reimbursement for any company that is a member of CGA. Brianne Page may be reached at: 916-448-3545 /... Read More
Smith’s President to Retire
After 44 years with The Kroger Co.'s Smith's President Jay Cummins plans to retire on April 29, 2016. His successor will be announced at a later date. Cummins began his Kroger career as a clerk in 1972 in Huntington Beach, California. In the following years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility in store and district management and in grocery merchandising for the company’s Food 4 Less. In 2004, he was named president of... Read More
Nominations Open for 2016 Top Women in Grocery
Nominations are now being accepted for Progressive Grocer’s 2016 Top Women in Grocery awards program, which recognizes the integral role women play across all segments of the retail food industry. This year marks Top Women in Grocery's 10th anniversary, for a special commemorative celebration is being planned in late 2016. Additional details will be forthcoming as the date of the gala draws closer. Nominations are open to women across... Read More
Giving People The Tools To Do The Job Is Smart Business at K-VA-T
K-VA-T's Director of Training, Barbara Thomas believes that giving people all the tools necessary to do the best job possible is vitally important. Wanting to give their employees the tools for success, Ms. Thomas began researching Retail Management Certificate Programs and quickly discovered the Retail Management Certificate created by the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) and endorsed by leading organizations such as the Food Marketing... Read More
Congratulations to the 2015 Top Women in Grocery
In November 2015, a slate of 300 women hailing from some of the most admired organizations in the U.S. supermarket industry were named as 2015 Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer. The Top Women in Grocery awards program recognizes the integral role women play across all areas of the dynamic retail food industry within the retailer and supplier communities in three sectors: Senior- Level Executives, Rising Stars and Store Managers. See... Read More
Food Retail Myths
Food retailers are in business to serve their customers by providing safe, nutritious, affordable food and food safety is the number-one priority for supermarkets. Unfortunately, sometimes myths and common misunderstandings about the way in which supermarkets do business occur. Thanks to our friends at FMI, they are busting those myths and telling the real story. Common myths include: MYTH: Grocery industry revenue is slowing. MYTH:... Read More
Getting Ahead in Food Retail
The Retail Management Certificate was recently featured in a blog post on the Food Marketing Institute website as a program that supports career growth and aligns with the growing need for education beyond High School. Some key takeaways from the story: According to the U.S. Department of Labor: 68 percent of U.S. jobs by 2018—including the grocery industry—will require a credential, if not a degree. In 2010, only 30 percent of... Read More
Retail Management Certificate Presentations
Cherie Phipps, WAFC - Director, Retail Management Certificate, joined Smith's Senior executive team over a 3-day period Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas. The sessions, sponsored by the resource group called "Women's Edge", reached over 500 people with the message about how the Retail Management Certificate Program can help associates achieve their personal and professional goals. As part of the event in Las Vegas, Angel Sherman... Read More