Apr 2, 2004
WASHINGTON, DC — April 2, 2004 — Offering a more detailed, intensive approach to contemporary industry issues, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) will present four Learning Labs for attendees to the 2004 FMI Show, May 2-4 in Chicago.

Learning Labs are a series of focused, interactive three-hour sessions designed to build skills in specific areas. At these labs, retailers work with highly skilled trainers and facilitators who go far beyond a standard presentation. Speakers discuss ideas and strategies, and participants often work in smaller groups, using interactive exercises focused on practical concepts that can be applied at store level.

In order to preserve the interactive environment of the sessions, attendance is limited and pre-registration is strongly recommended to guarantee a spot. If unreserved seats are available when doors open, seating will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Learning Lab topics and speakers include:

Monday, May 3, 8:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Whose Shelf Is It Anyway? This Isn’t a Multiple Choice Question!

Call it retail coverage, in-store implementation or planogram integrity, shelf management is the key to maximizing profitability and maintaining satisfied customers. Learn how today’s retailers can tap into the potential product category increases of 21 percent in unit sales, 12 percent in dollar sales, and 7 percent in gross margin through efficient distribution and in-store speed-to-shelf activities. Backed by case studies and industry research, this session will offer tactical approaches that cut across categories, formats, and company size.

Chairing the session will be David Lencioni, President, Blue Goose Super Market, Inc. Speakers include Brian F. Harris, Ph.D., Chairman, The Partnering Group; Sandy Brawley, Director, Customer Development, The Clorox Company; Dale Instefjord, General Manager, Blue Goose Super Market, Inc.; and Ed Gallina, Executive Director, Category Management, Associated Wholesale Grocers.

Growing Sales Through Superior Customer Service

Superior customer service is a key to increasing market basket size and retaining the most profitable shoppers. Store level employees are a company’s ambassadors and can make or break your relationships with a customer. How do retail and wholesale companies establish a culture of exemplary customer service in their stores? An industry executive leads an in-depth and highly interactive session explaining how the best retailers communicate the importance of customer service and take away tips, ideas and strategies for improving customer service and sales in your organization.

The session will be presented by Gregory P. Smith, President, Chart Your Course International.

Ethnic Merchandising: Building Your Bottom Line

The American populace is becoming ever-more diverse … and a multicultural America means new and different demands on retail supermarkets. How can your stores effectively serve a variety of ethnic populations and build sales and shopper loyalty? Join us in this interactive learning lab, where we’ll discuss demographic trends and differences among ethnicities, sourcing suppliers and determining an appropriate ethnic product mix. You’ll receive ideas from a cross-section of experts and successful retailers to market and merchandise to a rapidly changing America.

The session will be facilitated by Bill Bishop, President, Willard Bishop Consulting. Speakers include David Morse, President and CEO, New American Dimensions, LLC, and Terry Soto, Principal, About Marketing Solutions, Inc. Panelists include Leonard Harris, Jr., President & Owner, Chatham Food Center, Inc.; Nino Jefferson Lim, President, Island Pacific Supermarket; and Brian Numainville, Director of Research, Nash Finch Company.

Tuesday, May 4, 8:15 – 11:00 a.m.

The Obesity Opportunity: Shrinking Waistlines, Building Bottom Lines

There may be no more pressing health issue facing the marketplace than the obesity epidemic – not just in the United States, but throughout the world. This in-depth examination of obesity will frame the issues in a way that will help retailers and manufacturers understand how to connect with different shoppers over this issue, develop strategies on the issue, and give stores a differential advantage in the eyes of consumers. Exciting new research from both Rodale Press and The Hartman Group will be presented.

The session will be facilitated by Kevin Coupe, Content Guy, MorningNewsBeat.com. Speakers include Ed Slaughter, Director, Advertising and Trend Research, Rodale Press;
and Laurie Demeritt, President & COO, The Hartman Group.
Panelists include Rosemary Fifield, Director, Education and Member Services, Co-op Food Stores and Mary McMillen, Director, Consumer Affairs, Buehler Food Markets, Inc.

These four Learning Labs are open to all 2004 FMI Show attendees, but space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended. To pre-register for the Learning Labs, or for more information, visit the FMI Show Web site at www.fmishow.org or call 800-974-9769.