Food Retail World - About This Site

Born out of frustration this site is a result of years of searching the internet for information on the food retailing industry. More importantly, it comes from a search for free information which is extremely difficult to find because everything about the business is geared at making money. Not that making money is a bad thing, it just creates a challenge for people like me who pursue knowledge of the food industry both professionally and personally as a hobby.

With this site it is my hope to create a single source for free information on the food retail industry that will appeal to those in the industry and maybe even the curious consumer.

As for me, my name is Stephen Foster and professionally I worked for Atlantic Wholesalers Limited ; a wholly owned subsidiary of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's largest food distribution company up until June 13th, 2007.

After transferring to the regional Head Office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia as Planogram Coordinator for the Merchandising Department the company announced in January of 2007 that Loblaws was centralizing operations out of Ontario and that layoffs in the regional offices would be a result of the restructuring. Unfortunately I was among those severed / terminated on June 13th, 2007 after 18.5 years of service.

While my release was not as cut and dry as it sounds, I am not able to speak to all of the events in the months between January and June of 2007 as it could be perceived as creating a negative image for the company or making disparaging comments ; a violation of the terms of the Severance Contract I was given.

In those initial chaotic months of the national corporate restructuring a number of positive possibilities came up with regard to my career aspirations but at the end of the day for the good intentions of many with respect to my retention and for all of the conversations / interviews / discussions and meetings I had nothing changed the fact that June 13th remained the one constant through all of it.

While I don't like the outcome of the Loblaw Companies Limited restructuring as it has affected me, in knowing how the Food Retail World works, I have to agree that the new organization and centralization is the right direction for the company. I miss not working in the retail business that I've been a part of for almost half my life and look forward to finding my way back in.

Below is a summary of my career. Soon I hope to have my resume updated to post here should there be an employer out there interested in making me part of their team. In the meantime if you are aware of opportunities please let me know and I will follow up.

2006 - 2007 Merchandising Coordinator, Planograms, Atlantic Wholesalers Limited Head Office

(Responsible for Grocery Planograms for AWL business, Liason with vendors and stores,Store Layouts / mapping etc.)

2005 - 2006 Grocery Manager, Barrington Street Superstore # 369

(Managed personnel / labour, responsible for P&L, Ad / Promotions ordering, acted as Assistant Store Manager etc.)

2002 - 2005 Grocery Manager, Spryfield Superstore # 355

(Managed personnel / labour, responsible for P&L, Ad / Promotions ordering, acted as Assistant Store Manager etc.)

2001 - 2002 Interim Grocery Merchandising Reporting Analyst, AWL Head Office

(Sales and Profit reporting for Merchandising Department, O&A tracking and reporting, Ad hoc reporting projects)

1997 - 2001 Grocery Manager, Spryfield Superstore # 355

(Managed personnel / labour, responsible for P&L, Ad / Promotions ordering, acted as Assistant Store Manager etc.)

1994 - 1997 Club Pack Manager / Grocery Senior Clerk, Dartmouth Superstore # 352

(Managed Club Pack section,worked with Head Office planning ads, lead group of co-workers from other locations,Grocery Manager back up, merchandising, displays etc.)

1993 - 1994 Grocery Senior Clerk, Dartmouth Superstore # 352

(Grocery Manager back up, merchandising, displays etc.)

1990 - 1993 Receiver ( Days ), Dartmouth Superstore # 352

(unloading trailers, inventory management, invoicing etc.)

1989 - 1990 Receiver ( Night Crew ), Dartmouth Superstore # 352

(unloading trailers, inventory management, invoicing etc.)

1988 - 1989 Night Crew Grocery Clerk, Dartmouth Superstore # 352

(filling aisles, ordering stock etc. )

I am by no means the most knowledgeable expert in all areas of the Food Retail World but one thing is for sure ; I am passionate about this business and the people involved in it. This site is meant to be a resource to share with all of them more than anything else. Please feel free to contact me at stephenfoster@foodretailworld.com

Thanks for visiting !