Island Pacific Supermarket, a Filipino-American supermarket chain, ranks 11th in Fortune’s “Top 20 Best Large Workplaces in Retail” for 2024, up from 17th in 2023.
Founded in 2000, Island Pacific is one of the youngest companies on the list and the only ethnic supermarket to be recognized, operating 20 locations in California and Nevada.
Now ranked higher than retail giants such as Aldi and Dick’s Sporting Goods, Island Pacific joins a group of retailers that includes Wegmans Food Markets, Target, Publix Supermarket and Walmart.
Maria Theresa “Maite” Defensor, who took on the role of CEO this year, shared her admiration for the company’s deep-rooted culture.
“One of the most fascinating things I discovered when I joined Island Pacific is the care and respect management has for its employees,” Defensor said.
“This unique culture, where employees are treated as family, must have been in place for many years, and it’s clear that it has played a major role in our company’s success. It’s this culture of care and inclusivity that makes Island Pacific such a special place to work and has driven our recognition by Fortune.”
[RELATED: Island Pacific Supermarket Turns To Defensor As CEO]
The ranking celebrates Island Pacific’s commitment to employee well-being, diversity and its strong community-focused approach. Since its founding, the supermarket has become a staple in the Filipino-American community, offering authentic Filipino and Asian products while expanding its reach to serve a broad and diverse customer base.
