The National Grocers Association, along with sponsoring partners Kellogg Co. and Unilever, have revealed the winners of their annual Creative Choice Awards Contest, which honors and recognizes the best marketing and merchandising programs in the grocery industry.
Winners of the Creative Choice Awards Contest receive national recognition at The NGA Show, scheduled for Sept. 19- 21 in Las Vegas.
Judged by a panel of industry experts and trade press members, the contest features eight categories in which one winner and at least one honorable mention are chosen from entries submitted between Dec. 1, 2019, through Jan. 15, 2021. The judges determined the category winners based on creativity, clarity and the effectiveness of each campaign entered. Additionally, two special recognition award winners were selected.
Award categories were adjusted a bit this year in deference to the pandemic-driven “new normal.” Despite the special circumstances, the contest received a new record number of entries, more than 650 in all.
“2020 brought grocers a year of unprecedented challenges and changes, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic. That meant most grocers’ usual lineup of promotions was drastically changed, perhaps even tossed out altogether to start from scratch,” said Laura Strange, NGA’s SVP of communications and external affairs. “But independent grocers are among the most innovative and resourceful retailers around, and their stories of triumph this year demonstrated their ability to flourish even in the most trying times.”
From the category winners, one “Outstanding Marketer” and one “Outstanding Merchandiser” will be selected by the independent supermarket community and their supporters through online voting. Voting will open in early July and run through Monday, Aug. 30.
Marketing and merchandising category winning entries will be highlighted at The NGA Show and awarded a display trophy. Winners of the “Outstanding Marketer/Merchandiser” title will receive complimentary registration to the 2022 NGA Show.
Here are the winners, by category:
Connections Through Social Media
1-15 Store Winner: Eddie’s of Roland Park: Holiday Content
15+ Store Winner: ShopRite Essential Thanks
Connections Through Digital Marketing or Mobile
1-15 Store Winner: Dorothy Lane Market: Virtual Wine/Culinary & More
15+ Store Winner: Lowe’s Market: Washing Machine
Traditional Media – TV, Radio and Print
1-15 Store Winner: Newport Avenue Market “We Believe”
15+ Store Winner: Met Foods / Met Fresh Supermarkets: Como Tu
Grand Opening or Remodel
1-15 Store Winner: Labonnes
15+ Store Winner: Brookshire Grocery Co.
Local, Specialty or Emerging Products
1-15 Store Winner: LaBonnes LaBada Bing
15+ Store Winner: Associated Grocers of New England Corporate Stores: Brand Creation & Product Launch
Community Engagement
1-15 Store Winner: Charley’s: Supporting the Best Restaurants in the World
15+ Store Winner: Coborn’s Operation Round-Up
Center Store/Frozen/GM/HBC
1-15 Store Winner: Trig’s Make it Merry
15+ Store Winner: Family Fare: Explore Michigan
Fresh Departments
1-15 Store Winner: Dorothy Lane Market Lobstermania
15+ Store Winner: Brookshire: Hatch Chile
Special Recognition
Supermarket Superheroes Award, presented by Kellogg’s:
ShopRite Essential Thanks
Excellence in Agility Award, presented by Unilever:
Coborn’s COVID-19 Campaign
NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit nationalgrocers.org.
