FMI – The Food Industry Association today observes the third-annual Supermarket Employee Day, a National Day of Appreciation for the industry’s food retail employees, recognizing the essential role that grocery workers play at every industry level across their communities.
Over the years, stores have held Supermarket Employee Day-themed special events, offered their employees special promotions or discounts, and expressed gratitude for their contributions to both stores and society – encouraging shoppers to do the same through in-store signage and amplification via social media posts.
Many companies have gone the extra mile to encourage their governors to enact state proclamations to honor the day.
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According to the industry research firm IBISWorld, there are 2,824,936 people employed in the supermarket and grocery stores industry in the U.S. as of 2023. The average supermarket and grocery store business in the U.S. has 32.2 employees. The number of people employed in this industry increased by 1.3% on average over the five years between 2018 and 2023.
FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin said, “Supermarket Employee Day is a nationwide opportunity to thank grocery store workers for their important contributions in keeping our country fed, even during the most challenging circumstances such as those presented by a global pandemic.” She continued, “And now, as families across the country continue to grapple with inflation, grocers have increasingly prioritized serving, supporting, and strengthening ties with the communities in which they operate. In fact, 83% of grocers said supporting their community was a key strategy for engaging shoppers and differentiating themselves.”
Supermarket Employee Day is one of many programs at FMI designed to recognize talent, achievement, and industry initiatives that positively impact neighborhoods.