A new Hy-Vee Retail Security team is being introduced to retail stores across the grocer’s eight-state region.
Hy-Vee Retail Security officers will be present in stores during operating hours. These officers, many of whom come from a law enforcement background, are specially trained to defuse situations and equipped to protect the safety of both Hy-Vee customers and employees. The officers have been through training designed by Hy-Vee retail security leaders alongside law enforcement partners.
“Hy-Vee has a strong history of doing anything for our customers, and these officers will be held to that same standard,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s president and chief operating officer of the West Des Moines, Iowa-based retailer. “These officers will help provide another layer of safety and security for our customers and will work alongside our store employees to deliver the same helpful smiles and outstanding service everyone expects at their local store.”
Officers are in several stores now, and more officers are completing the Hy-Vee Retail Security Training program so they can begin serving in other Hy-Vee stores across the company’s region in the near future.
“Initially, our retail security officer program will be implemented in locations that currently either have third-party security contractors or off-duty law enforcement that work in a security capacity,” said Christina Gayman, assistant VP of communications. “We want to create a consistent look for our security team and approach to customer service across all of our stores. We believe we are the first retailer in the country to implement an approach like this.”
Gayman said there are currently officers in Hy-Vee’s Twin Cities market in Minneapolis, and additional markets (including the Des Moines metro) will roll out throughout 2022.
“The feedback from customers has been very positive,” she said.
The company is actively recruiting for officers to join the new Hy-Vee Retail Security team. Interested applicants can connect with the Retail Security team at [email protected].
Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores and has more than 93,000 employees. For additional information, visit hy-vee.com.
