CFIG announces 2014 Life Member recipients

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers has announced the recipients of this year’s Life Member Designations.

Steve Fox of Nestle Canada is being given the award in the Industry Builder category, while Ken Schley, Noel Hayward and John Briulo, the founders of Quality Foods on Vancouver Island, are recipients in the Independent Grocer category.

Fox is senior vice-president of customer development at Nestle. Before joining Nestle in 2003 he worked at Adam's Canada and Kraft.

“Steve is recognized by his peers as a leader amongst leaders in the Canadian retail sector. But what makes him unique is not that he’s a great supporter of the grocery sector, but that he gives his personal time to help make Canada a better place," said Tom Barlow, president and CEO of CFIG.

Fox is a supporter of the Network of Executive Women and an active participant in Kids Help Home.

Quality Foods opened its first location over 30 years ago. The chain has 12 stores, having opened its first store in the Victoria market this summer.

“We are one of the very few grocers who continue to be island owned and grown,” said Schley, Quality Foods' president, in a release. Hayward and Briuolo are managing partners in the chain.

All three men were early adopters of technology in grocery. In 1991 they launched the country’s first electronic loyalty program called the Q-Card, and five years later Quality Foods began selling groceries online. That led to the development of an app linking shoppers to the loyalty program.

“By staying focused on what their customers want and giving back to the communities in which they operate, Quality Foods personifies what makes independent grocers a vital part of the Canadian social fabric,” said Barlow.

All three Quality Foods’ retailers and Fox will be recognized at Grocery Innovations Canada. The show takes place Sept. 29 and 30 in Toronto.

Click here to register for Grocery Innovations Canada 2014