Grocery Retail Executive Corp (GREC)

The findings from Phase One of FSF’s Grocery Retail for All Program indicated that to improve access to nutritious, affordable food in communities where large retailers will not engage, there is a need to strengthen independent grocers.

In response, FSF has developed the GREC (Grocery Retail Executive Corp), a program designed to work synergistically with other national, state, or local programs to support entrepreneurs opening new stores and upgrading existing ones. By offering essential mentorship and technical support, it will help operators and relevant community stakeholders develop and enhance the skills needed to effectively operate successful grocery businesses. These efforts will enhance livelihoods and uplift communities and local economies in rural and urban communities.

The GREC:

  • A network is comprised of professionals dedicated to assisting stores in overcoming key business challenges. By capitalizing on the flexibility of the retired executives–freed from the demands of running a business and motivated by the desire to give back–the GREC provides professionals with a small stipend and cover relevant expenses.

  • including assistance with operational efficiencies, supply chain management, marketing strategies, staffing models, and development of creative solutions to increase revenue.

  • As demonstrated in FSF’s landscape assessment, the most successful stores have long-standing relationships and commitments with their communities. The GREC will work with the grocer to foster these essential ties.

  • The GREC helps grocers achieve customer loyalty by guiding them to delight their customers delivering exceptional service and high-quality tailored products that develop trust and drive repeat business.

  • empowering grocers to tackle key business challenges independently, create sustainable and resilient operations, lead with confidence, innovate within their operations, and become influential community anchors.

  • tracking key success metrics against business growth, customer satisfaction, and improved food access in underserved communities and iteratively refine GREC services according to evidence-based feedback.

The GREC program is designed to work synergistically with other national, state, or local programs to support entrepreneurs opening new stores and upgrading existing ones. By offering essential mentorship and technical support, it will help operators and relevant community stakeholders develop and enhance the skills needed to effectively operate successful grocery businesses. These efforts will enhance livelihoods and uplift communities and local economies in rural and urban communities.

  1. Strengthen and empower entrepreneurs

  2. Build capacity and enhance community resilience

  3. Increase access to nutritious food

  4. Promote scalable solutions

Objectives:

Outcomes:

  1. Sustainable grocery retail businesses

  2. Improved nutritious food access

  3. Stronger communities

  4. Evidence-based insights

For more information about the GREC, please contact Jennifer Kelly at jennifer@fsfinstitute.net