The Wisconsin Grocers Association is glad to send a representative to your store event. Contact John Leemkuil to find out more.
On the Road with Member Services Representative John Leemkuil
The WGA's Membership Representative Team JOHN & PEG LEEMKUIL were on the road visiting WGA members including DENNY PEDERSON at the Piggly Wiggly Pardeeville and then moseyed up the road to Montello to visit with SCOTT FREITAG at Freitag's. He said they were working hard to keep things going and hoping for the economy to improve.
On to Ripon meeting with ROB WEBSTER and his daughter CANDIE BAKER who is in the process of a succession plan to take over from her dad in the future. Very nice store and very busy. "Rob said he really enjoys giving back to the community," was the report from the field team.
Cottage Grove Sentry
Joe Wirag, Cottage Grove Road Sentry, poses with WGA's John Leemkuil.
This week on the road
JOHN & PEG LEEMKUIL’S Great Adventure continued by going to the Cottage Grove Road Sentry where they spoke with JOE WIRAG.
Dave Shommer at Schommer's Piggly Wiggly, Cottage Grove
Then they traveled on to see DAVE SCHOMMER at the Pig who is about to enter his 11th year there with a big 11th anniversary sale at the end of August.
Dave went on to say that business has been decent with the customer count staying steady or even growing some but the sale per customer is down due to people buying more house brands and looking for less expensive alternatives. He feels this is due to the economy not recovering quickly enough. It turns out that this same issue was stated by most of the retailers that we visited. The other common issue was their growing concern and confusion regarding health insurance.
Brian Conrad at Lake Mills Sentry
Their next stop was to the Lake Mills Sentry to meet with BRIAN CONRAD. Brian has a 20% off meat sale coming soon and is looking forward to it as it generates a lot of traffic. He also runs at least two 20% off Crystal Farms cheese sales a year due to the company being located in Lake Mills and it is also a very successful promotion.
Mark Thompsons first CD
Cuba City Supervalu, Mark Thompson, owner
Mark Thomson at the Cuba City Supervalu
On to Cuba City to meet with MARK THOMPSON at the Supervalu store. Mark has just started a customer rewards card program and is hoping it will generate additional sales. As we were leaving the store Mark handed me a musical CD that he had made and is selling thru his store and donating all of the money to his church. The group is called "St. Rose Music Ministry" and the CD is titled "Come To Jesus." This is the second one the group has done and seems to be quite popular as Mark said he had just sent another check for $1100 to the church.
After a quick meeting with CHRIS FINK at Ed's Family Foods in Richland Center they went on to Spring Green and met with JERRY BARYENBRUCH.
Jerry Baryenbruch of the Hometown Supermarket in Spring Green.
The Great Adventure continues north.
Brian Wohfeil, Piggly Wiggly, Watertown
Member Services Representative
What WGA has to offer,
you can't get anywhere else.
The WGA Membership Services Representative, represents the WGA and its members in the feild, promoting the WGA to grocery store owners and managers throughout the state.
They work to recruit new members and acts as a resource to all current members. Ask our Membership Services Rep to assist with problem-solving or refer requests of assistance to WGA staff on issues like EBT, coupons, insurance, and other industry topics.