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title: "IGA Alert: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 this week"
description: Forecast COVID-19's impact in your town; Nielsen reports on last week's category sales; IGA's Retailer Engagement Initiative; a call to support SNAP online
---

Forecast COVID-19's impact in your town; Nielsen reports on last week's category sales; IGA's Retailer Engagement Initiative.

| View in browser THIS WEEK'S FEATURED COVID-19 RESOURCES  Forecast Your Local COVID-19 Impact with Oliver Wyman's Pandemic Navigator   As COVID-19 cases increase and many states roll back to earlier phases of reopening, Oliver Wyman is helping IGA retailers prepare by making its COVID-19 Pandemic Navigator available to the entire Alliance.   Use the Navigator to see the predicted forecast for new and cumulative Coronavirus cases in your specific county, see how effective containment and suppression measures in your area have been, gain insights into how to manage after the peak, and study future containment scenarios that may be needed until a vaccine or a scale treatment solution is in place. Learn how to use the Navigator now.  Frozen & Alcohol Top Departments, Trends Shift   According to Nielsen's weekly COVID-19 shopping insights, brick and mortar total store growth remained similar to the previous week but department rankings have shifted. Frozen and alcohol are the top two departments driving growth followed by meat, produce, and dairy.   Shoppers continued to avoid going to stores with in-store trips down in the latest COVID weeks. Basket values remain strong but are trending below the early COVID levels. Stay Connected with the IGA Retailer Engagement Initiative    Connect with your own dedicated IGA representative to learn about new programs, ask questions, and get answers through IGA's new Retailer Engagement Initiative. Learn about the program here. Text Alerts Sent to Your Phone   Don't miss an update—subscribe to receive IGA Text Alerts and you’ll automatically receive a text notification whenever the IGA Alert eNews or IGA Minute are sent. Subscribe today.       POLICY UPDATES Urge Congress to Expand SNAP Online in Next Relief Package   NGA is calling on members to urge their Congressional representatives to include the Expanding SNAP Options Act in the Phase Four COVID-19 relief package.   This legislation would create a technical assistance center to provide support to independent grocers that lack capacity and resources to support SNAP online purchasing, while also providing grants to retailers in need of financial assistance to offer the program.   Fill out the form to contact your representatives here.       IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Updating the Assessment for COVID-19   The latest round of IGA's Five Star Assessment Program kicks off this week with updates based on retailer feedback and considerations for COVID-19. IGA CEO John Ross shares what is changing and why the Assessment is more important than ever during a global pandemic. International Supermarket Management Class Goes Virtual   The International Supermarket Management Class (ISMC) offered by the IGA Coca-Cola Institute is the premier annual learning event for supermarket owners and managers. While in the past the class has been hosted in-person over the course of several days, this year it will be delivered online through three modules, beginning September 15. See the exciting new topics that are more timely than ever, and register your leaders for this important course.       Visit www.IGAALERT.com for live COVID-19 updates and how it impacts independent retailers. Sign up for text alerts here. In need of additional resources that aren't yet on IGA ALERT? Contact Ashley Page.        Follow us on Social Media. IGA Inc., 8745 West Higgins Road, STE 350, Chicago, IL 60631, United States Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
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