GMA to Salute Retailers With Best Supplier Relationships

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has established a new awards program to honor retail organizations that consistently manage their supplier relationships at a superior level. Slated to be presented during the Washington-based trade organization’s Shopper Momentum Conference in Naples, Fla., this November, the GMA Retail Honors awards encompass three categories: Retailer of the Year, Most Collaborative Retailer and Most Innovative Retailer.

“Expanded cooperation between trading partners is the foundation for growth and innovation in the CPG value chain,” said GMA EVP industry affairs and membership services Denny Belcastro, “The GMA Retail Honors program will spotlight those retailers who are doing the most to educate and inspire their suppliers in ways that produce positive returns for both companies.”

Manufacturers and sales agencies are able nominate retailers and wholesalers operating in all channels of trade within the United States for the awards. A steering committee made up of manufacturer and sales agency executives from the GMA Sales Committee and the Industry Development and Advisory Committee will judge the entrants. In choosing the winners, the steering committee will carefully consider the number of nominations garnered by each company and rate nominees according to each category’s distinct criteria, including in-store execution, joint business planning and collaborating on new ways to go to market.

The members of the committee are Joe Bivona, VP, customer development, Time, Inc.; Dave Jones, VP, industry initiatives, Kellogg Co.; John Saidnawey, president and COO, Johnson O’Hare Co.; Peter Thompson, director, customer and industry development, Colgate-Palmolive Co.; Tracy VanBibber, SVP and chief customer solutions officer, the Dial Corp.; and Dan Vucovich, VP, global chief customer officer, the Hershey Co.

GMA is seeking nominations through Sept. 28, 2010. The inaugural awards dinner will take place Nov. 9. For nomination materials or more information, contact GMA’s Brian Lynch at 202-295-3976 or [email protected], or visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010_GMA_Retail_Honors.