Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest

AWG Brands Celebrates Record Year

Annual sales achieve 17.9 percent increase  AWG Brands, the private brand owned by Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, delivered a 17.9 percent sales increase from the previous year. AWG Brands consists of four brands: Always Save, Best Choice, Clearly by Best Choice and Best Choice Superior Selections. According to the company, each brand holds a specific position in […]

Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Organic Natural, Wholesaler/Distributor News

KeHE Distributors, Rodale Institute Partner For Organic Farming

Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has signed an exclusive partnership with Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the regenerative organic agriculture movement through research, farmer training and education.  The collaboration between KeHE and Rodale Institute will support the advancement of organic farming and regenerative practices and products in the food industry. These practices prioritize building soil health […]

Posted inHy-Vee, Independent Store News, Midwest

Hy-Vee To Host Quarterly Best Of Local Brands Summit May 10

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee will host its next quarterly Best of Local Brands Summit in May to expand and enhance the product offerings at its more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states. Since the Best of Local Brands summits began in early 2021, more than 125 new brands have been selected and are available […]

Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest

Meijer Expands Flashfood Program To Include SNAP Benefits

In an effort to make fresh food more accessible, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has expanded the Flashfood program, making it the first retailer nationwide to accept SNAP benefits through the app. Meijer launched Flashfood in November 2019 at a handful of its supercenters in metro Detroit. The service is used by more than 500,000 shoppers across all […]

Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest

Numbers Show – Stores In Small Towns ‘Have Gone Away’

Co-op program, locker system offer hope North Dakota has one of the smallest populations in the nation and most residents live in the state’s eastern half. Independent grocery stores, particularly on its western side, have been closing at an alarming rate, according to John Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “I’m old enough […]

Posted inCenter Store, Merchandising News, Midwest, New Products

Topco To Host Product Solutions Summit To Discover New Items

Elk Grove Village, Illinois-based Topco Associates will host the Topco Product Solutions Summit to diversify the cooperative’s supplier pool, discover new items and establish additional supplier partnerships to assist the organization with aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions that span its center store program. Topco is seeking suppliers to help expand its supplier partnership portfolio and […]

Posted inExceptional Independents, Midwest

Shelby Publishing Honors Midwest EIA Recipients

On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]