Markus Stephens: Building Community, Excellence, and Team Spirit
At Albertsons Market #682 in Ruidoso, store director Markus Stephens is known for his ability to make guests and team members feel valued. He doesn’t just run a store; he treats it like his own, inspiring a culture of passion, connection, and fun along the way.
Markus’s leadership style is all about ownership and presence. You’ll find him wherever he is needed… helping in the meat market during the holiday rush, supporting floral as they set up pumpkins and mums, or stepping in at the front end to keep lines moving. For him, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and building trust by working side-by-side with your team.
“In grocery, you’re going to run into the same challenges again,” Markus says, “So, take pictures, learn from what worked, and be ready to go even bigger next year.”
That mindset–being proactive, being present, being consistent–has helped his store thrive, even as a high-volume location in a small footprint.
Creating Memorable Guest Experiences
For Markus, guest service is all about listening. “Our guests will tell you what matters: cleanliness, freshness, and excitement.” That means sharp, full displays, fresh food front and center that surprise and delight guests.
From wild Super Bowl setups with chips, queso, crockpots, and vendor displays, to a holiday barge wrapped in red brick and lights, Markus and his team go beyond the basics to create experiences guests won’t forget. In fact, that holiday barge design became so popular that it’s now part of the United Division’s seasonal playbook.
“You can get basic anywhere,” said Markus. “But here, we want to create something memorable.”
Setting the Bar for Excellence
Markus starts every day by walking the store…. Every aisle, checking every endcap, and every ready meal case. His motto is get ready for prime time.
When he leads by example, facing up, filling in, fixing what’s out of place, his team follows. That rhythm keeps the store looking sharp all day, even when the rushes hit.
He also keeps things competitive in the best way. After a Raising the Bar review, Markus challenged his department heads to improve their scores. Soon, leaders were setting their own goals, pushing each other, and celebrating wins as a team.
Leadership Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what advice he’d give aspiring store directors, Markus kept it simple: be present, consistent, and willing to jump in.
Great leaders, he says, don’t just manage the areas they know. They learn the whole store. They hop on registers when pharmacy lines get long. They support every department. That willingness to step in builds trust–and trust builds strong teams.
Food, Community, and Connection
One of Markus’s proudest traditions is the Fifth Monday Meal, a community dinner he helps host alongside a local church and the college next door.
Every day, there’s a fifth Monday in a month, Markus’s store provides food, the college cooks, and the church spreads the word. The result is a hot meal, desserts, drinks, and a room full of people coming together around food.
“It’s become a tradition that brings people together in a meaningful way,” said Markus. “If I ever move to another store, I’ll take it with me.”
Even in the middle of running a busy store, Markus knows how to enjoy the little things, like a good snack. His go-to Own Brands product is Signature Select Teriyaki Beef Jerky.
Markus’s story is proof that when you lead with ownership and heart, you don’t just raise the bar. You build community, one connection at a time.
