2023 ESG Report
Amy rises up the ranks
February 25, 2020
Whether it's electronic shelf labels or scan tunnels, high-profile implementations are often tested at the Real Canadian Superstore® location in Oakville, Ontario—and Front End Manager Amy Richards is one reason why.
A 25-year veteran of the company, it's often up to Amy to make sure the store's colleagues are on-board with ambitious pilot projects, and it's something she does well. By all accounts, she's an energetic and well-liked manager.
But, she says she wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for her mom, something she makes a point to remember during Black History Month.
Back in 1973, the Richards family were among the first Jamaicans to move to the suburb of Burlington. Amy's dad was a welder, and her mom was hoping to get a part-time job to help supplement his income. At the time, all hiring was done through the local unemployment office, so she called hoping to land a job at the local Loblaws® supermarket.
"She was ecstatic to be called into an interview, but when she got there, she was told they were no longer hiring," says Amy.
Amy's mom was disappointed—and she felt she had been judged by the colour of her skin. But she was hard-working and determined, so she called the unemployment office again. As it turned out, there was a position available, and she ended up receiving a job offer. She went on to work for the company for 25 years, building a great career and lasting relationships with her colleagues. She had such a positive experience with Loblaw that she encouraged Amy to apply for a job as a teenager. Amy's son also joined the company when he was a teen.
"I'm one of three generations to work for Loblaws. If my mother hadn't had the fearlessness to contact unemployment, I'm pretty sure my son and I wouldn't be working here today," says Amy.
Her mother's experience taught Amy a valuable lesson: "Knowledge is key," she says. In fact, if there was one piece of advice she would give to other black women within the company, it would be to learn as much as possible.
"Take the time to learn everything you could possibly learn. Go to other departments, even! Because that's something that no one can never take away from you."
It's a lesson Amy has put into practice in her own career. Over the years, she worked in several banners in a variety of departments, including housewares, health and beauty, dairy, apparel, and produce, before becoming Assistant Front End Manager in her current store. After seven years in that role, she moved into her current position as Front End Manager.
She's proud to see how much the company has grown since her mom's first day on the job—and she does her part to keep pushing forward.
"I'm a people leader. That's what I'm about—my people," she says. "My department is the most diverse department in the store. I want as much culture as possible. I've even had a day where I've encouraged people to bring food from their own culture. I was like, 'Let's try each other's food, and through that let's get to know each other.' I want everyone to feel like they belong."
