LAS VEGAS -- An absolute commitment to customers, employees and the communities it serves earned Sheetz Inc. a place among the industry elite last night, as CSP honored the Altoona, Pa.-based company with the 2006 Retail Leader of the Year award.
Company founder Bob Sheetz accepted the award on behalf of the extended Sheetz family in front of more than 350 retailers, suppliers and industry friends at the Wynn hotel and casino.
In the 54 years we've been in business, Bob Sheetz said, sharing the stage with fellow family members [image-nocss] and company leaders Stan, Steve, Louie, Joe and Travis Sheetz, our mission has been pretty much the same: serve the customer on the go. With all the great competitors in the market today, it's special to be [recognized as] No. 1 in the industry.
Sheetz's origins date back to 1952, when Bob Sheetz bought one of his father's dairy stores. He and other members of the leadership team have since grown Sheetz into a retail powerhouse, with more than 320 stores in six Mid-Atlantic states. Listening to the customer and taking measured risks has made Sheetz both a pioneer and a superstar in an industry not used to basking in the spotlight.
Following a spirited performance by entertainers mimicking Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., CSP president and editorial director Paul Reuter honored the Sheetz Pack. Anytime you find great leadership, he said, you have to identify it and honor it. Sheetz not only has innovation, creativity and culture, but the willingness to share.
CSP group editor Mitch Morrison then toasted Sheetzthe family and the companyfor its role in revolutionizing an entire industry. More importantly, he underscored the company's commitment to culture, family and community. A strong supporter of Special Olympics and Make-A-Wish Foundation, Sheetz has also helped thousands of underprivileged children enjoy a better holiday season through the homegrown charitable cause, Sheetz Family Christmas.
In everything the company does, Morrison added, Sheetz is never be satisfied with its performance, never rests on its laurels. Its intense focus is aided by the fact that the executive teamand the family members especiallyremains grounded, accessible and committed to building the business.
Growing up in this family, said president and CEO Stan Sheetz, I was lucky that I got to watch [previous company leaders] Bob and Steve make some mistakes as well as see some of the stuff that worked. The family thing is tremendous; we do get along as well as people think, and that's unusualmaybe even miraculous.
Look for more on Sheetz Inc. as the 2006 Retail Leader of the Year in the November issue of CSP magazine.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.