UNFI Announces 2021 Master Marketer Award Winners

Marketing remains one of the most tried and true activities grocers lean on to stay in front of their customers and UNFI is recognizing those retailers who continue to showcase best-in-class marketing efforts through their annual Master Marketer competition.

The competition recognizes 22 category winners as well as Elmer’s County Market, a family-owned, full-service grocery operator based in Escanaba, Michigan since 1956, which was named the 2021 Grand Master Marketer for overall consistent performance over the years.

“While the grocery industry continues to fulfill its essential purpose of providing food and services to communities across North America, we at UNFI believe it’s important to recognize the dedication and innovation throughout,” said UNFI Chief Customer Officer Steve Dietz. “We’re proud to work with each of the nominees and winners from this year’s Master Marketer program. Congratulations to all, and to Elmer’s for their achievement as this year’s Grand Master Marketer recipient.” 

This year, 155 marketing programs were submitted for the 2021 Master Marketer awards which are judged based on the creativity, clarity, and effectiveness of the stores’ marketing efforts. Entries were assessed by professors and marketing students from St. Joe’s University, University of Wisconsin, and University of Michigan.

To learn more about the awards, visit https://unfimastermarketer.com. This year’s full list of store winners by category is as follows:

Tier 1: Stores 30,000 square feet and smaller

• Extra Effort Advertising – Jong’s (Lake Providence, La.)
• Fresh Department – TIE: Babbs Supermarket (Spencer, Ind.) & Baesler’s Market (Sullivan, Ind.)
• Grand Opening/Anniversary – Solomon’s Lucaya (Freeport, Bahamas)
• Industry Promotion – Babbs Supermarket (Spencer, Ind.)
• Natural, Organic, Specialty – Turnip Truck (Nashville, Tenn.)
• Public Service/Community – Graceway Supermarkets (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos)
• Radio Spots – Bridgewater Foods (Bridgewater, Va.)
• Website/Social Media – Sunflower (Columbus, Miss.)

Tier 1 Master Marketer – TIE: Babbs Supermarket (Spencer, Ind.) & Graceway Supermarkets (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos)

Tier 2: Stores larger than 30,000 square feet

• Extra Effort Advertising – Chris’ Food Center (Sandstone, Minn.)
• Fresh Department – Dorothy Lane Market (Dayton, Ohio)
• Grand Opening/Anniversary – Haymaker Shop N Save (Monroeville, Penn.)
• Industry Promotion – Elmer’s County Market (Escanaba, Mich.)
• Natural, Organic, Specialty – Dorothy Lane Market (Dayton, Ohio)
• Public Service/Community – Chris’ Food Center (Sandstone, Minn.)
• Radio Spots – Elmer’s County Market (Escanaba, Mich.)
• TV Commercials – Dorothy Lane Market (Dayton, Ohio)
• Website/Social Media – Harvest Market – Niemann Foods Inc. (Champaign, Ill.)

Tier 2 Master Marketer – Dorothy Lane Market (Dayton, Ohio)

Tier 3: Store groups with five or more locations

• Extra Effort Advertising – Pay-Less Market Inc. (Hagatna, Guam)
• Fresh Department – Duluth Super One Foods (Duluth, Minn.)
• Grand Opening/Anniversary – Hibbing Super One Foods (Hibbing, Minn.)
• Industry Promotion – Kirby Foods Inc. (Champaign, Ill.)
• Private Brands – TIE: Duluth Super One Foods (Duluth, Minn.) & Supermercados La Torre (Guatemala City, Guatemala)
• Public Service/Community – Shop N Save (Greenburgh, Pa.)
• Radio Spots – Sentry Foods (Delafield, Wis.)
• TV Commercials – CUB (Stillwater, Minn
• Website/Social Media – CUB (Stillwater, Minn.)

Tier 3 Master Marketer – Pay-Less Market (Hagatna, Guam)