<div><p paraid="1862664279" paraeid="{9dc67a49-68ff-45fa-b74a-34c7fac3f2fc}{133}">By: Cynthia Brazzel, Senior Director, Member Relations and Advocacy (Western Region), FMI </p><p paraid="1862664279" paraeid="{9dc67a49-68ff-45fa-b74a-34c7fac3f2fc}{133}"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/holiday-to-do.tmb-large-350-.jpeg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=4b7c5e22_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" alt="Holiday To Do" class="-align-right" sf-size="4396712" /><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;">The holiday to-do list has snuck up on me and there is less than a month to get all the shopping, decorating cookie-making, wrapping and holiday traditions accomplished. With all that going on, we hate to add one more to-do to the list, so we’re not. But we are giving you a heads up! </span></p><p paraid="1862664279" paraeid="{9dc67a49-68ff-45fa-b74a-34c7fac3f2fc}{133}"><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;">In just four weeks, we’ll open nominations for FMI’s 21st </span><a href="https://www.fmi.org/store-manager-awards" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;white-space:inherit;" target="_blank">Store Manager Awards</a><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;">—an event that honors and celebrates the incredible contributions of grocery store managers across the industry. </span></p><h5 paraid="1862664279" paraeid="{9dc67a49-68ff-45fa-b74a-34c7fac3f2fc}{133}"><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;">Why It Matters </span></h5></div><div><p paraid="1286311072" paraeid="{ebc5e365-90fb-4973-a512-12b404ba1dae}{86}">Even as technology and AI bring new efficiencies to the grocery business, nothing replaces the human touch. At the heart of every successful store is a leader who inspires, motivates, and drives innovation. Store managers do more than oversee operations—they build teams, create memorable shopping experiences, and connect with communities. Their leadership transforms grocery stores into essential hubs of service and innovation. FMI and The Coca-Cola Company proudly celebrate these exceptional individuals, recognizing that great leadership fuels great business. </p><h5 paraid="1286311072" paraeid="{ebc5e365-90fb-4973-a512-12b404ba1dae}{86}"><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;">The Big Picture </span></h5></div><div><p paraid="131679851" paraeid="{ebc5e365-90fb-4973-a512-12b404ba1dae}{226}">Nominate one or more store managers who embody leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. While metrics are essential, the Store Manager Awards highlight the intangible qualities—focus, discipline, inspiration, and risk-taking—that drive success. These awards reveal the story behind the numbers: the people who make it happen. </p><h5 paraid="131679851" paraeid="{ebc5e365-90fb-4973-a512-12b404ba1dae}{226}"><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;">Take Action </span></h5></div><div><p paraid="725366206" paraeid="{7de75c66-38fc-44f7-a53f-9ee94666a64e}{18}">Nominations open January 7, 2025, and run through February 28, 2025. Start thinking about the exceptional leaders in your stores and prepare to recognize their impact. </p></div><ul><li><p paraid="1718430683" paraeid="{17964636-7a0a-4fc1-b8de-19dbb1e59611}{23}">Access the nominations platform starting January 7. </p></li><li><p paraid="1786411378" paraeid="{8a44cae0-aaed-418a-9c44-85eff3783863}{164}">Review the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/store-manager-awards/nomination-details" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Nomination Details</a>. </p></li><li><p paraid="120314472" paraeid="{17964636-7a0a-4fc1-b8de-19dbb1e59611}{53}">Read about last years <a href="https://www.fmi.org/store-manager-awards/finalists" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">finalists</a> and previous <a href="https://www.fmi.org/store-manager-awards/winners" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">winners</a>. </p></li></ul><p paraid="120314472" paraeid="{17964636-7a0a-4fc1-b8de-19dbb1e59611}{53}"><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;">Celebrate the leaders shaping the future of grocery—one store, one community, and one team at a time. </span></p><p paraid="120314472" paraeid="{17964636-7a0a-4fc1-b8de-19dbb1e59611}{53}"><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><a href="https://www.fmi.org/store-manager-awards" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="button-secondary" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;white-space:inherit;" target="_blank">Store Manager Award Details</a><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></p>
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