Rouses Markets Has Plans For New Stores, Remodels

Rouses Markets, based in Schriever, Louisiana, is staying busy and growing, according to CEO Donny Rouse.

The family-owned grocer has announced plans for two new stores in Mississippi – Biloxi and Picayune – and a replacement store for its original location in Houma, Louisiana, is scheduled to open in the middle of August.

The remodel will be the fourth iteration, located within a quarter mile of the property where the first site opened in 1960.

“We’ve been operating that one since the mid-1980s, and it was time for a major remodel.”

The new store, which will be about 55,000 square feet, will feature expanded perishable departments. It also will offer a drive-up window for the deli department.

New stores are set to open later this year in Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Recent remodels included stores in Youngsville and Mandeville. A remodel also is planned for the Franklin Avenue location in New Orleans, Rouse said.

“We stay busy. When the opportunity is right for a new store, we’ll do that and then we want to keep up our remodels as well, so we stay fresh for our customers.”

The company operates 63 stores in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and, according to Rouse, is “constantly working on sites to see where we can fit new stores.”

Private label success

As inflation remains a concern for shoppers, Rouse said the company has had great success with its private label brands.

“Our products are great, our labels look good,” he said. “We have wonderful vendor partners, and I think everyone’s seen how successful it is. That’s definitely something that helps our customers get a great product at the best price that we can offer and also offers good margin on those products.”

Looking toward future

While labor issues continue to present challenges at the store level, Rouses recently added to its executive team. In May, the company named Ron Bonacci VP of advertising and marketing and Brian Bosworth as VP of center store.

In November 2021, Stacy Wiggins was named regional VP of operations, overseeing the east region of the company.

“We’re excited to continue trying to find people throughout the country, in the industry, that are wanting to come work for my family and grow our business,” Rouse said. “We’re fortunate; we’ve been successful over the years, and we want to maintain that and continue being better and get to where we’re one of the best in the country. 

“We’re going to find the people that can do that for us, as well as continue promoting from within. We have a lot of long-term employees here, and we want to continue allowing them to grow with different opportunities.”

Rouse, who has worked only in the family business, said his job is exciting and challenging.

“This is what I know. I really enjoy it. Just coming to work every day is fun. For me, it’s hunting and fishing and work – and I enjoy them all.”