MARTIN SLOANE \ Supermarket Shopper Nominations give shoppers an opportunity to say thank you

Last year, Liz Fox of Monroeville, Pa., wrote: "I would like to nominate Georgina at the Deli Counter at Giant Eagle. No matter how busy the counter gets, she is always friendly, has a smile and a kind word for her customers."
Is there someone behind the counter, at the cash register or in the office of your favorite supermarket who makes shopping more enjoyable? Here is a chance to show your appreciation -- send in your nomination for the 2003 Golden Shopping Cart Awards. The awards, now in their 22nd year, are like the People's Choice Awards presented by supermarket shoppers. By sending in your nominations, you are saying thank you for a job well done. Each year, the awards set examples that supermarkets and their employees can follow.
The nomination categories are:
UBest Supermarket of the Year. If you shop at a store that does everything right, it deserves your nomination.
UBest Supermarket Manager/Employee of the Year. Do you know a supermarket employee who is really outstanding? Is there a store manager whose high standards and leadership create a store atmosphere that makes shopping a pleasure?
UBest Money-Saving Promotion of the Year. This is an opportunity to let your supermarket know how much you appreciate a special sale or promotion that helped you stretch your grocery budget; for example, that free Thanksgiving turkey offer.
Additional recognition
The outstanding performance by a grocery product manufacturer should also receive your recognition. Here are your award categories:
UBest Manufacturer Customer Relations of the Year. Good customer relations are just as much a part of customer satisfaction as providing a quality product. Were you more than satisfied with the way a problem was handled? Did the company's customer relations department go beyond the call of duty?
UBest Manufacturer Consumer Offer. Was there a coupon, rebate or merchandise offer that surprised and delighted you? Perhaps, that wonderful $10 refund offer, or the free children's CD packed in the cereal box? Now is the time to find pen and paper (or postcard) and send in your nomination.
Sending in your nomination is simple:
Jot down the reasons why this supermarket, employee or manufacturer deserves a Golden Shopping Cart Award in any of the award categories. You can include more than one nomination. All nominations must be submitted by Jan. 19.
Send them to: Martin Sloane, Golden Shopping Cart Awards, in care of The Vindicator. You can also send in your nomination from my column support Web site: www.martinsloane.com. Your nominations are important to these companies and fine employees, so please remember to send in your nomination soon.
Shopping strategy
The holidays usually mean dodging through crowded supermarket aisles and then waiting in long checkout lines. But you don't have to if you plan ahead and think strategically. Supermarket shoppers typically make a weekly stock-up trip, the full shopping cart trip of the week, and then make one or two weekly fill-in trips that still require the regular checkout lanes.
Change the pattern. If you are going to have to wait in that long regular checkout line, do it less frequently. Stock up on staples for two weeks rather than one. Be an express lane customer between the bigger stock-up trips.
Another way to do less grocery shopping during the holidays is to pay special attention to using items that have been sitting in your pantry and freezer. Consider all those cans, boxes and packages that are accumulating dust or frost. Now is good time to use them. Think of the pleasure of a close-to-empty pantry and freezer to start the new year!
One of the best ways to take the dodge and wait out of supermarket shopping is to shop very early or very late. I prefer to shop late, about an hour before closing time. The downside of shopping late may be having less selection to choose from. On the other hand, if you can rise and shop early, you get first choice.
No matter what your holiday grocery shopping strategy, when you are in the supermarket aisles and in the checkout lines during this very busy shopping season, be at your courteous best. Relax, smile and as a reader from Texas recently said, smell the roses.
XSend questions and comments to Martin Sloane in care of The Vindicator. The volume of mail precludes individual replies to every letter, but Martin Sloane will respond to letters of general interest in the column.
United Feature Syndicate