The largest grocery store in Petersburg was named Retailer of the Year by the Independent Grocers Alliance, which is an international chain of independent grocery stores. Hammer & Wikan was chosen above thousands of other grocers around the country.
KFSK’s Shelby Herbert has more from the ceremony, which took place right in the middle of the store’s produce aisle.
Dozens of Hammer & Wikan employees huddle together for a quick photo in their uniforms next to Independent Grocers Alliance executives in suits and ties. They’re crowded right next to a crate of oranges.
As the camera flashes die down, shopping traffic resumes. John Ross is the CEO of IGA. He steps forward as customers weave past the group with their carts.
“So… I’ve got a question for the team here,” Ross said to the crowd. “How many IGA stores are there in the world? 6,500. Of all of those stores, only nine stores will get this. And — wow — you guys have won this award!”
Ross said the Petersburg store received top ratings for customer service and community involvement.
“Having beautiful and clean stores of respect for everyone… Does that sound like you guys?” Ross asked the small gathering of Hammer and Wikan staff. “That’s the criteria for this award — it’s family businesses serving our community as if they were family. So, it’s with great pride that IGA presents this store with the 2024 Retailer of the Year.”
Ross then gives a commemorative plaque and a check to Hammer & Wikan CEO and General Manager Jim Floyd. Floyd turns to his team and said… It’s not actually his award. The store has struggled with supply chain disruptions, product shortages, and infrastructural challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He thanked his staff for their stalwart service.
(Photo by Shelby Herbert/KFSK)
“This isn’t my award, this is your award,” Floyd said to his staff. “It’s been very much a privilege to be here these last four years and dealing with a wonderful team — all the things that we went through with COVID and providing essential needs to our community. This is about you guys.”
Floyd hands the plaque to his grocery store manager, Terri Falter, as the group gets back in position for more photos. Falter has worked at the store for almost a decade.
“If it wasn’t for the team, we wouldn’t be here right now,” said Falter. “Because we have a good team behind us and that’s what makes the store run. It’s the good people behind you, underneath you…”
And in front of them is a blowout party. Floyd said he’s planning to match the prize money out of his own pocket and spend it on a party to celebrate his staff’s hard work.
