FMI, in partnership with Saint Joseph’s University, has released a research series that explores workforce attractiveness in the food retail industry. The first part of the series focuses on the industry’s opportunity to showcase the entirety of career options available to Gen Z.
"Gen Z, including anyone born after 1997, makes up about 23 percent of the U.S. population," said Ernest Baskin, Ph.D., Gerald E. Peck Fellow and assistant professor of food marketing in the Erivan K. Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's University, in a statement. "As a generation, Gen Z is starting to contribute to the economy by becoming a bigger share of the workforce and it is important to understand their unique characteristics so the food industry can better attract talent to all business areas."
Through qualitative interviews with both food industry executives and Gen Zers, the report outlines key recommendations for food retailers to more successfully recruit members of Gen Z including by offering development programs; presenting high salaries and quick promotions; showcasing the variety of career options available; highlighting company culture; and identifying the myriad ways food retailers contribute to communities.
"Our industry is rich with stories of individuals who began their careers as grocery baggers and worked their way up the ranks to the C-suite, but when we ask Gen Z about the prospect of working in the food retail industry, many are either unaware or have an incomplete picture of the varied career paths available in this essential sector of the economy," said Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI, in a statement. "The supermarket workers who feed families and enrich lives in our nation possess a wide variety of skills and Gen Zers can choose among multiple career paths; from technology innovation to data analysis; from supply chain expertise to customer service excellence. This report offers the food industry an opportunity to showcase the variety of career options available to Gen Z."
Related: Cheese Focus: 6 Tips for Recruiting and Retaining Cheese Staff; Wages, Tariffs, Gender Equality: Restaurant Operators Speak Out on Industry Issues.