Many of us will look back on 2008 as the year when gas prices soared to unbelievable highs and our 401ks dropped to unbelievable lows. A key measure of consumer confidence fell to an all-time low in December and a dismal job market and uncertain outlook for 2009 did little to settle our nerves. In November, the Consumer Confidence Index was at 44.7 percent according to the Conference Board and in December it sank to 38 percent. And of course the traditional Christmas shopping statistics sank to a new low. All in all, unlike the classic Sinatra song, it was not a “very good year.”

There was one bright spot in the economy though. A large portion of the population decided that avoiding high gas prices meant less dining out at restaurants and more dining in at home. As such, supermarket earnings were up. Those of us who participated in this, heretofore unknown phenomena of home meals discovered that the grocery stores not only provided a respite to high restaurant prices, but we quickly became enamored with the high level of service offered by these food emporiums.

I’m sure each of us would have an experience or two to share about our favorite supermarket. In my case, permit me to share some thoughts on three outlets that I think epitomize what performance excellence is all about.

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