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title: "⏱The IGA Minute: Announcing 2022's Five Star Retailers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
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Who earned Five Star status? Plus, IGA CEO John Ross shares what Five Star means in a pandemic; Ball Corp talks sustainable products

| View in browser March 17, 2022 FROM THE DESK OF IGA CEO John Ross What Five Star Status Means During A Pandemic   Despite the pandemic and out-of-stocks, there were more four and five star stores in 2021 than ever before. IGA CEO John Ross shares his thoughts on this achievement, noting that the best independents, even when stressed, lead the industry in store appearance and customer service. FEATURE STORY Announcing IGA's 2022 Five Star Retailers   The Independent Grocers Alliance has a fresh set of Five Star retailers for 2022! These retailers and their teams have continued to use their independent flexibility and ingenuity to not only keep their businesses running during the second year of a global pandemic, but to adapt and evolve to make their stores thrive.    See which retailers earned Five Star status and find out when the next round of Assessment visits will begin.  RED OVAL ROUNDUP Ball Corporation Innovation Drives Sales   As inflation and environmental woes continue to rise, shoppers rely on grocery stores and manufacturers to step up to help them make good choices. Ball Corporation's aluminum cup is the innovation shoppers want and need, giving them the convenience of disposable, the money-saving quality of reusable, and the environmental friendliness of recyclable.   Find out how Ball Corporation is helping IGA retailers bring this product to their shoppers—just in time for April's Earth Month and National Digital Ad offer, as well as summer barbecues—in this video interview between Jenica Bridges and IGA's Heidi Huff. RESOURCES Market To Budget-Conscious Shoppers With This Free Download   The upcoming installment of the Quarterly Marketing Kit focuses on budget-friendliness for shoppers affected by and worried about inflation. Download the free playbook for visual merchandising and social media tips and assets to reach those shoppers. Mask Optional Signage   In communities with low transmission levels, current CDC recommendations say individuals can wear masks based on personal preference, informed by the individual's level of risk. With that updated guidance, IGA has created "mask optional" signs that you can use in your store if you wish. IN THE NEWS Online grocery sales in February up nearly 9% year over year (WGB) As self-checkout expands in grocery, here are 4 ways the technology is leveling up (Grocery Dive) Expo West Climate Day: Fighting for climate change is fighting for existence (Supermarket News) COVID-Era grocery practices that need to stay forever (Yahoo!) Rising beef prices have customers getting creative (WGB) The IGA Minute is a weekly newsletter delivering the IGA news you need. For questions or story ideas, email Ashley Page. For advertising inquiries, contact Jessica Vician.    Subscribe Here \| Facebook \| LinkedIn \| Twitter IGA Inc., 8745 West Higgins Road, STE 350, Chicago, IL 60631, United States Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
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