A Helpful Smile

They like us … they really, really like us!

Ruth — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:27:53 +0000

Retail Leader magazine, a publication of Stagnito Media and the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association, recently came out with a Top 10 list of the World’s Most Popular Grocery Retailers – companies that excel in the areas of innovation, customer interaction, operations management and overall shopping experience. One analyst noted that these stores “differentiate themselves from the competition and focus on more than just price to ensure that shoppers continue to patronize their stores.”

Along with retailing giants such as Costco and Publix, and niche markets Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, guess who else made the Top 10?

http://www.retailleader.net/article-the_world_s_most_popular_grocery_retailers-5270-part1.html

Thanks, Retail Leader!

Hy-Vee to be featured in IPTV report

Ruth — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:47:08 +0000

Tune in to Iowa Public Television’s “Market to Market” show next Friday to see the Urbandale Hy-Vee featured in a story about the proliferation of gluten-free products in Iowa stores. Urbandale has one of the largest gluten-free sections around — two full aisles and seven refrigerator/freezer doors in the HealthMarket devoted to products free from wheat gluten, which causes health problems in people with celiac disease. IPTV producers interviewed two Hy-Vee customers who have found relief from the disease by eating a a gluten-free diet. Check your local listings for the Market to Market air time in your area.

Serving those who served

Ruth — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:18:37 +0000

What a day! Hy-Vee stores across eight states sponsored their annual Veterans Breakfast yesterday, and once again, it was a smashing success. When the numbers are added up this year, we will have served more than 80,000 free breakfasts to veterans and active-duty military members. As Jon Richardson, store director at Indianola Hy-Vee, told me: “This is one of the best days of the entire year.” Read Rich Schneider’s story on Hy-Vee.com — and don’t forget to thank a vet!

Are you ready to save at the pump?

Ruth — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:34:19 +0000

It’s here — Hy-Vee’s answer to the high cost of gasoline.

and you’ll never have to pay retail price for gas again. When you buy specially marked Fuel Saver items each week, you earn discounts that are loaded onto your Fuel Saver card. Swipe the card at the pump at any Hy-Vee or Casey’s store, or at select Shell stations, and watch the price roll down!

Details are available here at hy-vee.com. Sign up now online or at any Hy-Vee store. Savings start the first week of December!

Making a dream come true

Ruth — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:12:43 +0000

When Nate Swalley transferred to the Hy-Vee store in Johnston, Iowa in 2005, the first customer he met was Mert Hansen. Neither man knew it at the time, but it was to become a relationship that would change both their lives.

Read the heartwarming story here at www.hy-vee.com.

Hy-Vee and KC Chiefs team up to promote reading

Ruth — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:10:37 +0000

Hy-Vee is proud to be the official grocery partner of the Kansas City Chiefs. Together, our organizations are doing great work in the community:

CHIEFS, HY-VEE AND PROCTER & GAMBLE PARTNER WITH KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR READING PROGRAM

Fruits and veggies? Yes, please!

Ruth — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 23:36:24 +0000

Kids in five central Iowa schools are enjoying a fresh addition to their school lunches this year, thanks to a program sponsored by Hy-Vee and Dole. The five schools — in Boone, Centerville, Denison, Fairfield and Shenandoah — received portable salad bars that allow them to offer students a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at each meal. Judging from the full plates and happy smiles we saw today at United Community School in Boone, the salad bars are already a big hit.

Paul Rhoads at EYC: Go “all in”

Ruth — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:27:30 +0000

Iowa State University head football coach Paul Rhoads kicked off the 2012 Exercising Your Character event by telling the 7,000+ fourth- and fifth-graders at Hy-Vee Hall what character means in the football program at ISU:

“We have three blocks that are the foundation of our football program. The first one is being smart. When I talk about being smart … I’m talking about decision-making. Making smart decisions, using good judgment … Every day, you’re faced with choices. It’s the decisions that we make that follow you through life.

“The second block of our foundation is accountability — being where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to do …

“The third block of the foundation of our program is trust … You’ve gotta trust people as you go through life to steer you in the right direction. They haven’t failed you yet, and they won’t fail you in the future …

“What I want to leave you with is a two-word phrase that’s very powerful in our football program. It’s the two words: ALL IN. It’s about commitment. It’s about a complete investment in everything that you do in your life.”

[photo courtesy of Mark Millsap]

Exercising Your Character: Speakers provide motivation along with the fun

Ruth — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:42:15 +0000

A college coach, a 13-year-old triathlete, a former NBA star and an NFL kicker shared inspirational messages with 7,000 students at the sixth annual Exercising Your Character event, held today at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

Exercising Your Character is a celebration of physical fitness, good character and sportsmanship. Fourth- and fifth-grade classes from schools throughout central Iowa are invited to take part in a fast-paced program that includes music, dancing and appearances by famous athletes and coaches. The event is sponsored by Character Counts of Iowa, the Iowa Sports Foundation and Hy-Vee.

Speakers at this year’s EYC were Paul Rhoads, head football coach at Iowa State University; Winter Vinecki, two-time national IronKids champion who started a foundation to raise money to fight prostate cancer; B.J. Armstrong, former University of Iowa basketball star who helped the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA titles; and Billy Cundiff, an Iowa native and Drake University star who is the placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens. The students also enjoyed learning the famous UNI Interlude Dance, as taught by co-creators Ian Goldsmith and Scott Connerly.

If the noise level in Hy-Vee Hall is any indication of the quality of the program, I’d say this year’s Exercising Your Character deserves a grade of A+. Stay tuned for more on today’s speakers and their messages to the students.

President Randy Edeker, Assistant VP Erin Demichelis, retired NBA great B.J. Armstrong, Executive VP Jon Wendel

Website offers behind-the-scenes look at sustainability efforts

Ruth — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:42:58 +0000

In ways large and small, visible and not-so-visible, Hy-Vee is making tremendous strides toward becoming a greener, more environmentally responsible company. Now you can track our progress for yourself on Hy-Vee 360, a new website devoted to sustainability and healthy living.

Hy-Vee 360 employs colorful graphics and pop-up windows to show visitors how environmental initiatives are implemented in a typical Hy-Vee store. Click on the checkstand and you’ll learn about Hy-Vee’s efforts to reduce product packaging and promote reusable shopping bags; place your cursor over the produce display and you’ll find information about our commitment to offering more local foods. The site also highlights the resources available at Hy-Vee to help customers improve their health, such as in-store dietitians, HealthMarket departments and the NuVal nutritional scoring system.

At Hy-Vee, we’re getting greener all the time. How about you? Hy-Vee 360 offers a wealth of ideas to help you practice sustainability at home, at work and on the go. Remember: when it comes to saving the planet, we’re all in this together.