ORLANDO, Fla. —CSP announced the winners of its seventh annual Category Manager of the Year (CMOY) awards Feb. 24 during the Convenience Retailing University (CRU) conference in Orlando, Fla.
These category crusaders were recognized for tackling issues as varied as new product placement and retail disruption to keep their convenience-store chains on track to grow sales through supply chain issues, slower foot traffic, mask mandates and more.
Sponsored by Altria Group Distribution Co., CSP honored the best in the field with an awards banquet emceed by CSP Content Director Steve Holtz and Krister Hampton, senior manager industry engagement, Altria Group, followed by a karaoke party led by rock guitarist Billy Morris. The ceremony celebrated champions in nine core product categories.
“This year’s winners, and the entire c-store industry, worked through unprecedented supply chain issues to keep their stores stocked, focusing on their product segments even as retailing evolved around them,” Holtz said. “We congratulate the winners for keeping the c-store industry on the cutting edge of product selection while adapting to new challenges and product safety standards on the fly.”
For the awards, industry suppliers nominated potential finalists in fall 2021 and, under the direction of CSP editors, three finalists from each of the key categories were chosen. The final voting process took place online in January, and CSP tallied the hundreds of votes in February. The winners received the coveted CMOY trophy and will be featured in a special section of the April issue of CSP, the 2022 Category Management Handbook.
CSP also established a CMOY Hall of Fame to honor winners who have been recognized multiple times, and inducted Kelley Gutierrez, senior category manager, candy and snacks, for MAPCO Express, who has earned CMOY recognition three times in the Center Store category. As a member of the Hall of Fame, Gutierrez will be recognized at future CRU conferences and will not be eligible to win in the Center Store category again.
CSP’s 2022 Category Manager of the Year winners are:
| Category | Winner | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the Counter/Tobacco | Victoria Sheppard | Love’s Travel Stops |
| CBD | Michael Tirey | Circle K |
| Center Store | Kelley Gutierrez | MAPCO |
| Dispensed Beverages | Nate Louden | 7-Eleven Inc. |
| Foodservice | Sean Miller | QuikTrip |
| Loyalty/Delivery | Shianna Peace | Sheetz Inc. |
| Alcohol Beverages | Michael Varallo | Wawa |
| Packaged Beverages | Jack Lewis | GPM Investments |
| Technology/Operations | Ian Cavanaugh | 7-Eleven Inc. |
Watch for interviews with the winners in the April issue of CSP magazine. Click here to see a list of all the finalists, and click here to see last year's winner.
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