<div><p paraid="2034820661" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{121}">By: Dan Ratner, Senior Director, Member Services, FMI</p><p paraid="2034820661" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{121}"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/supermarket-employee-day-celebrate.tmb-large-350-.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=608e3613_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" alt="Supermarket Employee Day Celebrate" class="-align-right" sf-size="50925" /><a href="https://www.fmi.org/get-involved/supermarket-employee-day">Supermarket Employee Day</a> on Saturday, February 22, 2025, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of grocery store employees who keep communities nourished and thriving. While many grocers will lean on the official toolkit, this year presents a chance to go beyond the basics and showcase gratitude in unique and impactful ways. Here are creative approaches to elevate your celebrations and ensure every team member feels valued. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="2092199077" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{131}">Amplify Your Appreciation Online </h5></div><div><p paraid="817429923" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{137}">Social media offers a powerful platform to share your gratitude and inspire others. Create a campaign featuring "Employee Spotlights" that tells the stories of your team members. Whether it’s a cashier’s unwavering smile or a stocker’s quick response to customer needs, these personal narratives build connections and celebrate the real people behind your store’s success. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="384196061" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{147}">Celebrate In-Store </h5></div><div><p paraid="514568318" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{153}">Transform your store into a celebration space. Set up an "Employee Appreciation Station" where team members can enjoy refreshments, snacks, and personalized thank-you notes from management and customers. To deepen the connection between employees and shoppers, provide a "Community Wall" where customers can leave messages of gratitude. This interactive element fosters a sense of unity and shared appreciation. </p></div><div><p paraid="192469449" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{159}">Since this is our fourth year with Supermarket Employee Day, and our first Saturday celebration, you might consider some different celebration ideas specifically tailored for part-time employees working on the weekend: </p></div><div><ol paraid="1557230462" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{169}"><li><strong>Weekend Raffles: </strong>Organize a quick raffle for employees working on February 22. Prizes like gift cards, meal vouchers or small electronics can make their day feel special and appreciated. </li><li><strong style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Surprise Breakroom Upgrades: </strong>Transform the breakroom into a weekend retreat with cozy seating, refreshments and a coffee or tea bar. Add a thank-you banner to show your appreciation. </li><li><strong style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">“Gratitude on the Go” Stations: </strong>Set up a station in the store where managers and colleagues can write quick thank-you notes or share words of encouragement for weekend workers. Display these messages prominently. </li><li><strong style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Flash Appreciation Parties: </strong>Host short, fun celebrations during shift changes, complete with music, cupcakes and a quick group photo to commemorate the day. </li></ol><h5>Recognize Excellence </h5></div><div><div><p paraid="1309932357" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{223}">Consider hosting an awards ceremony to honor standout employees. Categories like "Customer Service Champion" or "Team Player of the Year" create excitement and give every team member a moment to shine. Present certificates, trophies, or even small gifts to winners, capturing the joy and pride in photographs and videos that can be shared internally and online. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="1872458805" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{229}">Partner with the Community </h5></div><div><p paraid="1240803994" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{235}">Collaboration amplifies impact—partner with local businesses to sponsor employee discounts or gifts. </p><ul paraid="1240803994" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{235}"><li><span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">One grocer partnered with a favorite restaurant across the street to provide employees with gift cards, offering a delicious way to show gratitude and support a local business. </span></li><li><span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Invite community groups, like schools or art programs, to contribute handmade thank-you cards or artwork. </span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Make arrangements with a local coffee shop or bakery (or your own) for a special treat surprise. </span></li></ul></div><p paraid="1300432869" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{245}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">These external gestures of appreciation reinforce your employees’ essential role in the community. </span></p><p paraid="1300432869" paraeid="{9d71bbc7-9e83-4b35-a4a6-6493debbde03}{245}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Supermarket Employee Day is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a movement to uplift and honor the people who ensure that our grocery stores remain resilient, welcoming, and reliable. By thinking creatively and involving your team, customers, and community, your celebration can leave a lasting impression—one that reinforces the value of supermarket employees year-round. </span></p><div><p paraid="1918085568" paraeid="{b70f5eb2-15da-4e18-bd6a-020180a50a1d}{32}"><a href="https://www.fmi.org/get-involved/supermarket-employee-day" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="button">Supermarket Employee Day Toolkit</a> </p></div></div>
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