Supermarket Employee Day Date in the current year: February 22, 2024

When most people hear the words “supermarket employees”, they automatically think of cashiers but there are so many more types of positions in grocery stores and supermarkets. Supermarket employees include custodians, shopping cart attendants, food preparation workers, baggers, stock clerks, store managers and assistant store managers, butchers and meat cutters, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, inventory control specialists, bakery associates, customer service representatives, wine experts, support staff (HR, IT), department managers, etc.

While some supermarket jobs might require education and certifications (like pharmacists and pharmacy techs who sometimes work at supermarket drug stores, or HR specialists), most require only on-site training. Because of this, supermarket jobs are often looked down upon since they require little education and aren’t particularly well-paid. However, without millions of supermarket employees, you wouldn’t have food on your table.

It is supermarket employees who ensure that the shelves are stocked, and customers can easily fund what they need and don’t have to stand in line for too long. Some supermarket jobs require employees to lift heavy items, work in wet or cold environments, and work nights, weekends, and holidays; most, except for maybe office positions, require them to stand or walk for 6 to 8 hours a day. On top of that, supermarket employees who deal with customers are expected to be polite and smile even when they’re being shouted at.

No job should be taken for granted. There are nearly 6 million supermarket and grocery store employees in the United States who work hard to ensure customers are satisfied. Supermarket Employee Day was created to highlight their contribution to society and thank them for their dedication. The holiday was created by FMI – The Food Industry Association in 2021. FMI members, which include retailers, producers, suppliers and various companies that provide critical services, work together to provide consumers with safe, healthy, nutritious and affordable food at retail stores.

The main goal of Supermarket Employee Day is for the food industry and consumers to recognize supermarket employee for everything they do, highlight their role as frontline essential workers during periods of crisis, and show gratitude. Since the holiday’s establishment, it has been proclaimed by several U.S. municipalities and states, and various celebratory events and festivities have been held by retailers across the country.

How can you celebrate Supermarket Employee Day? When you go grocery shopping on February 22, don’t forget to thank the employees at your favorite supermarket and give them a smile – we’re sure they will appreciate it. And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #SupermarketEmployeeDay.