In an industry defined by change, Affiliated Foods Inc. in Amarillo, Texas, has spent the last 80 years anchoring independent grocers with a simple promise: integrity, innovation and a shared sense of ownership. This year, that legacy is honored on a larger stage. The Shelby Report of the Southwest has named AFI its Wholesaler of […]
Category: Anniversary Issues
With New Leadership Team At Helm, AG Has ‘Same Goal In Mind’
In announcing David Politz’ appointment this spring as president and CEO of Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Daphne Lamendola, who chairs AG’s board of directors, cited his “unwavering dedication, strategic vision and forward-thinking leadership” that will continue to guide the company toward sustained growth and success. Politz has been with AG since 1985, […]
Outgoing EVP: From Get-Go, Associated Grocers Has Been ‘All About Service’
Carl Marks, EVP and chief strategy officer at Associated Grocers, will retire in October, marking the close of 27 years with the company across two distinct tenures. Marks initially joined Associated Grocers in 1988, having started his career in the grocery industry “sort of accidentally” at a small wholesaler in Alexandria, Louisiana, followed by a […]
Grounded In Experience, New AGBR Leadership Guides Company Forward
“We’re just getting started.” That’s the message from David Politz, new president and CEO of Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. (AG), as the company marks its 75th anniversary this year and positions itself for future growth. “It’s a combination of being local experts in our food market and offering a level of service and […]
Former Vons Revamped As Pavilions In Mission Hills Neighborhood
The former Vons location in the Mission Hills area of San Diego, California, is now a Pavilions store. Though it underwent a fairly extensive remodel, the store remained open throughout the process. Wayne Heaton, VP and GM for Pavilions, said Mission Hills is “an incredible neighborhood” for the format. “Mission Hills has a great diverse […]
Pavilions Stores Specialize In Selection Of Stellar Wines, Liquors
“There’s no other supermarket in Southern California that carries the selections and the varieties that we’re able to get in Pavilions.” That’s how Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner, describes the stores’ wine and liquor offerings. He credits Phil Markert for stewarding those departments so well. “We have a very special director […]
Pavilions Fills Role As Test Site For New Grocery, GM Products
“Pavilions is a testing ground for a lot of new and innovative items for the entire division,” said Wayne Heaton, VP and GM of the Pavilions banner. Together with Albertsons and Vons banner stores, they form Albertsons’ 329-store Southern California division. “If something works in Pavilions, there may be 100 stores in the other two […]
Pavilions Marks 4 Decades Of Offering SoCal Consumers An Upscale Full-Shop
Wayne Heaton is VP and general manager of the Pavilions banner for Albertsons, which also owns Pavilions’ sister banner Vons. Heaton has enjoyed a long history in the grocery industry, starting as a courtesy clerk “pushing carts” in 1987. He came up through the ranks at Albertsons and served as a store director for many […]
