Eskew will step down after nearly 50 years at Harps, while Van Hoose returns a member of the founding family to the company’s top role.
Category: Harps Food Stores
Harps, a cherished grocery chain, has been a cornerstone of communities in the Midwest and South since its inception. Founded in 1930 in Springdale, Arkansas, the brand has established itself as a trusted destination for quality products and personalized service. With over 100 locations across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, Harps remains dedicated to providing customers with fresh, locally sourced produce and a diverse selection of grocery items.
In addition to its commitment to quality, Harps distinguishes itself through its forward-thinking approach to future growth and expansion. With a keen eye on the evolving needs of customers and the ever-changing retail landscape, Harps is strategically planning for the future. The company is actively exploring opportunities to expand its footprint, enhance its product offerings, and introduce innovative solutions to better serve its communities. By prioritizing growth and adaptation, Harps ensures that it remains a vital part of the neighborhoods it serves for generations to come.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Equipment & Technology, Featured News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Promotes Haulmark, McDoniel To Director Roles
They will oversee insurance and AI strategy/innovation, respectively.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Harps Food Stores, News, Southeast, Southwest
Harps Appoints New DMs For Northwest AR, TN
The leadership moves follow a string of acquisitions the retailer has completed over the past year, pushing its store count to 177.
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores, NationsBenefits Partner On OTC Flex Cards
NationsBenefits has announced a new retail network integration with Harps Food Stores, an employee-owned supermarket chain with stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Through the integration, eligible health plan members can use their NationsBenefits Mastercard Prepaid Flex Cards at more than 160 Harps locations to buy approved food-as-medicine items, OTC […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, Harps Food Stores, National, News
Harps To Deploy SmartMeals AI Shopping Assistant
Harps Food Stores will deploy SmartMeals, AWG’s artificial intelligence-powered shopping assistant built by Breez AI, across its network of more than 150 stores. The announcement came during the AWG Innovation Showcase, where independent grocers gathered to explore technologies shaping the future of grocery retail. The rollout makes Harps one of the largest operators in the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, Harps Food Stores, News, Southeast
Harps Food Stores To Acquire 18 Stores From Dyer Foods In TN, KY
Harps Food Stores has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire 18 stores from Joey and Jeanie Hays, owners of independent grocery operator Dyer Foods, with 17 of the locations in western Tennessee and one in Kentucky. Both parties anticipate completing the transaction by this summer, with store banners, employment and operations continuing with minimal […]
Posted inExecutive News, Finance News, Harps Food Stores, Independent Store News, News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Announces New Leadership Across Company
Harps Food Stores has made several leadership appointments following the retirement of Randall Harp, who served as VP of warehouse operations and grocery procurement. The promotions include Shannon Kincade to VP of center store merchandising, Josh Cleveland to director of grocery retail management, Mike J. Roberts to director of warehouse operations and Ashley Winget to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Preps New Location In Fort Smith, AR
Harps Food Stores Inc. will open a new 39,000-square-foot store Oct. 8 at 6400 Veterans Ave. in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The store will feature a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including organics, along with USDA Prime beef, all-natural pork and poultry and seafood; deli and signature bakery products; and fresh sushi, as well […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores To Acquire James Super Save Foods
Harps Food Stores Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire James Super Save Foods, an independent grocery store in Mena, Arkansas, with an expected closing and reopening as Harps later this summer. James Womble, owner of James Super Save Foods, recently informed his employees that the store’s operations, employment and day-to-day functions will […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, News, Southwest
Harps To Acquire Doc’s Food Stores In OK
Harps Food Stores Inc., has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Doc’s Food Stores Inc., an independent grocery retailer with multiple locations across Oklahoma. The stores are in the following towns: Bixby, Collinsville, Coweta, Fairview, Glenpool, Newkirk, Okmulgee, Oologah, Sapulpa and Watonga. While the timing has not been finalized, both parties anticipate completing the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Acquires Independent Grocer Craven Foods
Harps Food Stores Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Craven Foods, a grocery store in the Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. Craven Foods will close at the end of the day May 19, and reopen two days later as a Harps Food Store. Craven Foods has been a cornerstone of the community, known for […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Taps Lesso As Information Systems Director
Harps Food Stores has promoted Chris Lesso to director of information systems, where he will oversee the company’s technology infrastructure and lead initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. Lesso’s career at Harps began in summer 1998 at Store 177 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he worked part-time as a sacker while attending high school. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Prepares For Grand Opening In Conway, AR
Harps Food Stores will hold a grand opening March 12 for a new location at 3500 Dave Ward Drive in Conway, Arkansas. The 39,000-square-foot store will offer a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including organic items; USDA Prime beef, all natural pork, poultry and seafood; deli and signature bakery products; and fresh sushi […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
10Box Cost-Plus Prepares For New Site In Van Buren, AR
10Box Cost-Plus Food Store, a banner of Harps Food Stores, will hold a grand opening March 5 for a location at 120 Cloverleaf Plaza in Van Buren, Arkansas. The store will be the 14th for 10Box Cost-Plus, which has provided “quality groceries at competitive prices” for more than a decade in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Harps Food Stores To Open Two Arkansas Stores In 2025
Harps Food Stores Inc. is planning two new stores in Arkansas – one each in Conway and Fort Smith – that are set to open next year. The first store, whose opening is slated for spring, will be at 3200 Dave Ward Drive in Conway. The second, at 6400 Veterans Ave. in Fort Smith, has […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Association News, Executive News, Feature, National
Executive Perspectives: Kim Eskew
After planning to pursue an engineering career, Kim Eskew saw the opportunities that grocery retail had to offer and turned an entry-level position into a lifelong career with Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores. Now the company’s chairman and CEO, Eskew shared his thoughts on leadership, management and getting started in the industry with NGA’s Independent […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Feature, Guest Contributors, Harps Food Stores, Southwest, The Kroger Co.
Led by Lone Star State, Southwestern U.S. Ripe For Grocers
by Diana Leza Sheehan The grocery retail landscape in the American Southwest is a dynamic and evolving ecosystem. This region – defined by The Shelby Report as Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas – is characterized by a blend of national grocers and innovative regional independents. These players are not only competing but learning […]
Posted inMeijer, Harps Food Stores, Health & Wellness, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Prepares For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
As part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26, Meijer pharmacies are preparing for an influx of customers disposing of their unused and expired prescription medications. A national initiative organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Take Back Day aims to prevent drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental poisonings or overdoses. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, National
Birdzi Enhances Retailer Onboarding Process With Armeta Analytics
Birdzi has announced an integration with data engineering firm Armeta Analytics that streamlines workflows and reduces the technological lift for Birdzi’s retail customers. Armeta will facilitate onboarding through a simplified integration process that makes it easier for Birdzi customers to use the company’s customer engagement tools and personalized marketing solutions, including VISPER Live. “By automating data management […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Harps Food Stores, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AFS Bridges Technology Gap For Member Retailers With Birdzi Platform
Associated Food Stores (AFS), an Intermountain West grocery wholesaler and cooperative, will utilize Birdzi’s advanced customer intelligence and engagement platform to provide personalized engagement and advanced customer insights across its corporate and independent member supermarkets. “Early on, we recognized Birdzi’s unique ability to enhance AFS’s customer engagement and foster loyalty across our network of member […]