Store governance
Store Boards in the ALPA owned and ALPA managed stores set policies and procedures for their stores. Store Managers of ALPA owned and/or managed stores (whom are mostly non-Indigenous and not from the communities) are employed by ALPA and governed by ALPA policies and procedures. Managers are responsible for stock ordering and management, store financial management and housekeeping, employment, training and management of staff (most of whom are Indigenous), and upholding ALPA’s values including nutrition, safety, training and fair employment. ALPA stores are grouped by geographical regions with an Area Manager responsible for each group. Area Managers make regular store visits to report to Store Boards and support Store Managers and store teams, review operations and ensure standards and compliance. At the time of the study, ALPA employed one Nutritionist (Health and Nutrition Manager) with responsibility for the development, implementation and evaluation of the ALPA Health and Nutrition Policy. ALPA’s supply contracts with food manufacturers and wholesalers are managed by a Merchandising Manager. At the time of this study, ALPA had a service contract with a beverage company who for the purpose of the study was requested by ALPA to provide planograms (a visual of stock and facing layout) for the drink refrigerators according to the study strategy.