Big Y in the News

SPRINGFIELD, MA – (January 31, 2023) Big Y Markets has been named as one of America’s Greatest Places for Diversity 2023 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group which conducted a large-scale employer study based upon over 350,000 company reviews across 6 economic sectors and 34 different industries throughout the United States. These reviews generated scoring based upon available data and interviews as well as an anonymous online survey of a diverse pool of employees at companies with 1,000 or more employees. Respondents were asked questions about corporate culture, working environment and other subjects both at their own companies and at others that they were familiar with. 

According to Newsweek, “Most companies these days talk a lot about diversity. It is common to hear employers emphasizing their efforts to recruit and promote people of different ages, races, genders, sexuality and abilities. And, that makes sense, not only because it is well-documented that workplaces filled with people with different worldviews are more creative, more innovative and generally make better decisions. Employing a wide variety of people who feel comfortable and respected isn’t a desirable perk, it is simply good business.”

Nationally, in the food retail sector, Big Y is one of only 5 companies to receive a total of 5 stars, their highest rating. Another 10 companies received 4.5 stars and 11 received 4.

Big Y puts a strong emphasis on employee experience and feedback focusing on flexibility, overall recognition, work/life balance and fostering a culture of caring and inclusion. They engage in employee roundtables, focus groups, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and conduct frequent feedback on improving their work environment. Receiving this award highlights the importance of hearing and responding to every employee’s voice. Big Y’s first ERG, Women L.E.A.D is focused on inspiring and empowering women to break barriers and seize opportunities for their personal and professional development through education, leadership, networking and mentoring. Big Y also has an active ERG called Y You Belong that is on a mission to ensure an inclusive and belonging culture that is fair and equitable by focusing on education, recruitment/retention, and advancement/promotion.

According to Michael P. D’Amour, Big Y Chief Operating Officer, “While our work in diversity, equity and inclusion is never done, all of us at Big Y are honored to be recognized through this national award. We remain grateful to our teams for their ongoing efforts to building a stronger community and caring culture.”

Big Y has also been named by Forbes as a Best in State Employer for the past 4 years, a Forbes Best in State for Diversity, a Forbes Best Employers for Women, and a Forbes America’s Best Large Employers. In addition, Big Y also received the Viability Organization’s 2022 Inclusive Employer of the Year for helping to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion and access.

Big Y Foods, Inc. is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Big Y operates locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut including supermarkets, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors and Big Y Express gas and convenience locations with over 10,000 employees. Big Y has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Employer in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as 2018 Employer of Choice by the Employers Association of the Northeast. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D'Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a "Y".