Winkler Wholesale Grocers Inc. has joined the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) as a licensed distribution center (LDC).
As an official member of the network, Winkler is licensed to distribute IGA exclusive brand products to independent grocery stores across its service region and has access to the full suite of IGA programs in support of their retailers.
Family-owned and -operated for more than 100 years, Winkler Wholesale Grocers is a full-line supplier supporting independently-owned supermarkets, superettes and convenience stores. The company services more than 400 retail accounts in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan, offering a comprehensive range of products including groceries, fresh meat, deli, bakery, dairy, frozen foods, candy, produce, HBC/GM, supplies, cigarettes and tobacco.
“Our mission at IGA has always been to empower independent retailers with the tools, branding and buying power they need to compete and thrive,” said IGA SVP of Retail and Business Development Doug Fritsch.
“Winkler Wholesale Grocers brings deep-rooted experience, regional expertise and a genuine commitment to the independent retail community. We’re thrilled to welcome them into the IGA family.”
As part of IGA’s wholesaler network, Winkler will offer participating retailers access to IGA’s programs in marketing, digital innovation, operations support, training and private label – tools designed to help local grocers succeed in a competitive landscape while staying true to their community roots.
“Joining IGA allows us to take our support of independent retailers to the next level,” said Winkler President and CEO Josh Winkler. “With access to IGA’s exclusive brand products and their extensive suite of retailer programs, we’re excited to help our customers grow stronger, more competitive businesses – without compromising their independence or identity.”
This partnership marks another step in IGA’s mission to strengthen local grocery through national resources paired with hyper-local flexibility. Together with Winkler, IGA is expanding its reach and impact to ensure that more communities across the Midwest have access to independent retail options.
About IGA
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) was founded in 1926, bringing together independent grocers across the U.S. to ensure that the family-owned local grocery store remained strong in the face of growing chain competition. IGA is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $43 billion per year. The alliance includes more than 7,500 stores globally, with operations in 46 of the United States and more than 25 countries.