An already-recognized local grocery store company has added another piece of hardware to its trophy list.
For the second time since 2007, Quality Foods has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies in a program sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, and Queen’s School of Business.
Started in 1993, the program recognizes “excellence in Canadian-owned and -managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices.” (From www.canadas50best.com.)
Rob MacKay, a Quality Foods spokesperson, said the honour recognizes the company’s entrepreneurial spirit and actions.
“One of the main reasons Quality Foods has enjoyed strong and continuous growth for our entire 29 years in business,” stated Ken Schley, QF’s Director of Operations and founding partner in a media release, “is our focus on innovations that improve the shopping experience for our customers.
“To do that we ensure we have a strong, diverse team of like-minded people to maintain our competitive advantage and independence. These people know how to engage our shoppers and they work hard to keep them coming back, time after time.”
Schley and partners John Briuolo and Noel Hayward started QF 29 years ago in Qualicum Beach.
Today, they have 11 stores on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast and are headquartered in Errington.
Last year, the partners went outside of their grocery store model and purchased Qualicum Beach’s Old Dutch Inn.
“We try to do things in a way that is difficult to duplicate and improves the shopping experience for our customers, such as unique store design and using technology differently,” said Briuolo.
One of Quality Foods’ most recent and successful campaigns to follow this line of thinking is the new Quality Foods Phone App.
“It’s another first in the food industry in that it seamlessly allows customers to activate special offers which are then instantly available at the checkout, specifically for that person,” said Schley.
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