Nonfoods talk: Remembering Rick Tilton, an industry pioneer

Rick Tilton’s efforts went a long way toward shaping the nonfood category in the grocery channel. Unfortunately many of you may not know the name Rick Tilton or had the pleasure of working with him. But take it from me, he made a big difference in the development of the general merchandise and health and beauty care categories at supermarkets. Tilton, who passed away at his home in Tubac, Arizona after a short illness on Sept. 20, served as president of GMDC for nearly a quarter century, ending with his retirement in 2000. He had previously been an executive with the Mead Corp. In his time at GMDC, Tilton played a leading role in helping grocery retailers understand the value of the various nonfoods categories. As the top dog at the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based association, Tilton helped to develop a better way for buyers at supermarket chains to spend quality time with suppliers. The result was a large uptick in awareness of the potential of nonfoods—from both a sales and profit perspective—as well as the development of relationships between industry officials. Tilton and his colleague, Dave McConnell, who stepped into the president’s role upon his boss’s retirement, were the first two executives I met when I got involved with grocery business reporting. I have always remembered three things that Tilton shared with me on that hot day in Marco Island, Fla. in 1984. The first was the importance of educating retailers about the benefits of the category, its profit potential and its ability to help a supermarket chain stand out amongst its competition. The second was how important it was for him to bring retailers and suppliers—large and small—together in a setting where everyone could conduct business on an even playing field. The third was the most important. Looking at me sweating during the hot Florida summer in a fashionable-for-the-times three-piece suit, he suggested I run to the closest store to buy some casual and cooler (temperature-wise) dresswear for the remainder of his conference, which has always prided itself on a casual dress code. Tilton stayed involved with the industry in several ways after leaving GMDC and eventually settled into a nice retirement with his wife Gail. In my 30-plus years of reporting on the nonfoods segment at supermarkets I have often taken Tilton’s advice. I try to educate the industry about the benefits of nonfoods and I have always tried to bring retailers and suppliers together in a meaningful way to conduct business. And, when I visit some tropical location in the summer heat for an industry trade event, I leave the suit at home. Did CVS, the giant national drug store chain, get caught with its hand in the proverbial cookie jar? Well not quite. But the Pawtucket, R.I.-based chain has settled with four California counties and that state’s Department of Agriculture after it was determined that its packaging of store-brand skin care and hair care products did not accurately represent how much product was in the container. The company paid $225,000 to the various counties. Consumers are always worried that what they are being told on the packaging is not what is accurately within the container. While most shoppers are mainly concerned with calorie count and ingredients, there has always been an unease by many that they are not getting as much as promised. CVS’s mistake, while minor and we hope not on purpose, shows that consumer fears can be true and it will only lead to more hesitation, which, of course, leads to less sales and profits.