NUGGET MARKETS CRACKS FORTUNE'S LIST OF BEST EMPLOYERS

MARIA TORTORETO

WOODLAND, Calif. - Nugget Markets employees say they're "thrilled" at being listed in Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For in 2006."

The nine-store Northern California chain, based here, was ranked No. 33.

"We are absolutely thrilled," said Nugget President Eric Stille of the recognition. "Everyone is beaming around here, from new hires to top management."

Founded in 1926, Nugget operates six Nugget Markets and three Food 4 Less stores Northern California.

Wegmans Markets, Rochester, N.Y., was No. 2 on the Fortune list. Other food retailers appearing included Whole Foods Market, No. 15; Publix Super Markets, No. 56; and Stew Leonard's, No. 58.

Stille said this is the second year in a row Nugget has gone through the nomination process, athough it was not on Fortune's list last year.

Stille credits Nugget's employees for making the retailer stand out. "We look for the best," he said, "and if the applicant pool isn't there, we'll go into an overtime situation until we find the right applicant." Training is also extensive.

Nugget's culture and family atmosphere is what drives the chain because "everyone feels ownership in the company," he said.

Making Fortune's list will make recruiting much easier, he noted.

"I love this place - it's one of the best places I've ever worked," said Randy Watson, store director for the Nugget Market in West Sacramento. "We can be individuals and not robots. We are allowed to be creative, to go beyond the bounds of most companies. For example, there are no strict rules that we have to say certain things at checkout, etc."

The 5 1/2-year Nugget Markets veteran believes that the employees make a difference in helping Nugget stand out among its competitors. Employees feel important, secure and well taken care of, and in turn they want what is best for the company, he said.

"We have the same products that other stores have," Watson said. "There are points of difference in terms of prepared foods, etc., but for the most part it's our associates. Coming here is fun for everyone - the guests and us."

Much of the competition for the Top 100 is based on feedback from store associates, according to Stille. "It's a great way to get an honest 360 on how our associates view our company. We were pleased with the results from last year, and delighted with the results from this year."

A self-described "European-style" retailer, Nugget offers its customers a "fresh-to-market" feel, Stille said. "When our guests enter our store, we want them to feel the freshness of our supermarket. They generally enter in the produce department and don't see checkout stands. We have a full-service scratch bakery that uses organic flours, and we put an emphasis on perishables, both conventional and organic."

Treating employees well is an important part of Nugget's philosophy.

"Basically we offer industry-leading wage and compensation, but it's more than that," Stille said. "We take into consideration whether associates trust management, feel their future is secure, feel they are dealt with fairly and with mutual respect. Those are the keystones of the Top 100, but it has been important to us for 80 years."

Nugget has a fully funded pension and 401(k) plan, and full medical, vision, and dental care for all employees working over 21 hours a week, with a $1 a week payment for family coverage.