DALLAS -- Wegmans won two of the nine Retailer Best Practices awards at the Magazine Publishers of America's Retail Conference & Expo here last week.
The Rochester, N.Y.-based chain won one award for best magazine merchandising in the main line and another for best promotion and cross merchandising.
Jerry Lynch, business group manager, Wegmans, said the chain "goes after the category with passion and enthusiasm."
In presenting the award for promotion and merchandising, Jay Felts, senior vice president, sales, Comag Marketing Group, cited Wegmans' aggressive approach to magazine endcaps and outposts, including a promotion tied into the ladies Professional Golf Association tournament. He also cited the chain's book-signing events.
The other supermarket winners were Albertson's, A&P and Giant Eagle, which won awards for best merchandising at the front end.
Scott Gehrke, corporate director of space management, A&P, Montvale, N.J., said collaboration with both vendors and his own company's management has helped A&P evolve a successful front-end offering, including a magazine display for self-checkout lanes.
Giant Eagle was recognized for its "category team" approach to merchandising the front end, and Albertson's for maintaining uncluttered checkout areas and "promoting pocket integrity."
