As Associated Wholesale Grocers celebrates its centennial, former CEO David Smith looks back on his tenure with the perspective of a steward who sought to leave the cooperative stronger than he found it. Smith joined AWG in August 2003 as director of real estate. He stepped into the CEO role at the end of 2015, […]
Category: Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Anniversary Issues, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Feature, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
AWG’s Cooperative Strength Positions Independent Grocers For Future
As Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, the cooperative is reflecting on a century defined by independent spirit, shared success and an unwavering commitment to its members – while keeping its focus firmly on what comes next. Founded in 1926 by a group of independent grocers who believed they were stronger […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Affiliated Foods, News, Southwest, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
Affiliated Foods Leverages Technology To Boost Retailer Services, Engagement
Amarillo, Texas-based Affiliated Foods Inc. is investing in forward-thinking technology to enhance the shopping experience for consumers and improve operational efficiency for its retail members. Among the most visible innovations is the implementation of digital video rails in member stores – a project led by Josh Silvia, AFI’s network and PC manager. Vusion v-rails is […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Affiliated Foods, Anniversary Issues, News, Southwest
Manufacturing Subsidiaries Fuel AFI Membership’s Success, Growth
At Affiliated Foods Inc. (AFI), a member-owned cooperative headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, the value of community-focused manufacturing is front and center. Noma Burr, the company’s chief financial officer, has seen that impact firsthand since joining the organization in 1996. Burr highlighted how AFI’s manufacturing subsidiaries – which include a bakery, dairy, meat processing plant and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Affiliated Foods, Anniversary Issues, News, Southwest
Affiliated Foods At 80: Cooperative’s Legacy Remains Rooted In Family
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 […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Associated Grocers, Inc., News, Southeast
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, […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Associated Grocers, Inc., News, Southeast
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 […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Associated Grocers, Inc., News, Southeast
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 […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Affiliated Foods, Southwest
With Family Focus, Affiliated Foods Poised For Growth
Affiliated Foods Inc. in Amarillo, Texas, has been named The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s 2024 Wholesaler of the Year. Celebrating its 76th year in business, the co-op got its start when a group of six retailers came together to open their own warehouse and use their collective buying power to get better cost of […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Southeast
‘It’s The People Of Kentucky Who Have Made Laurel What It Is’
Laurel Grocery Co. is a 100-year-old, family-owned and operated company. That family dynamic is extended to its employees, as well. Being considered family by an employer goes a long way in retention, as evidenced by the number of longtime workers at the wholesaler. That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Chairman and CEO Winston Griffin. “We have […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Laurel Grocery Co., Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery, IGA Assist Independent Retailers
Laurel Grocery Co., The Shelby Report’s Wholesaler of the Year for its Midwest and Southeast regions, and the Independent Grocers Allliance have a decades-long history of partnership. The Kentucky-based wholesaler has been one of IGA’s nine licensed distributors since 1999. “What I love about Laurel is they are truly a family business that supports family […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Laurel Grocery Co., Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Free Clinic Improves Health Of Laurel Grocery’s Workforce
Laurel Grocery Co. takes the health of its employees seriously. So much so that after several years of concerning results from screenings through the local hospital’s community health program, Laurel Chairman and CEO Winston Griffin and President David Pearson decided to take action. The result was Connected Care, an on-site health clinic for employees and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Pride Comes From Way Laurel Grocery Is Run
Laurel Grocery Co. is laser-focused on customer service. That is one of the reasons Kip Faulhaber, president of Laurel Retail and SVP of marketing and merchandising at Laurel Grocery, has enjoyed his almost 10 years with the company. “The pride comes from the simplicity of the way the company is run,” he said. “There’s nothing […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel’s Mission, Messaging Remain Rooted In ‘Think Retail’
Laurel Grocery Co.’s philosophy is “Think Retail,” which channels the sentiment from a statement on the original order guides from 1922: “A successful business is a business that helps others succeed.” Laurel’s mission was to help smaller, privately-owned businesses thrive against chain grocery stores. A hundred years later, that mission continues today. And it’s among […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery Marks Century Of Serving Independents
Laurel Grocery Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022 and has been named The Shelby Report’s Wholesaler of the Year for its Midwest and Southeast regions. Winston Griffin, chairman and CEO of the London, Kentucky-based wholesaler – and G.W. Sr.’s grandson – shared some of the company’s history with The Shelby Report. “It all […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery Named Wholesaler Of The Year, Celebrates Anniversary
London, Kentucky-based Laurel Grocery has been named The Shelby Report of the Southeast and The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2022 Wholesaler of the Year. The wholesaler is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. Join us in the pages that follow as we learn about its history and how it serves independent grocers today. To […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Southeast, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
MDI Honored As The Shelby Report’s Southeast Wholesaler Of The Year
Founded in 1931, Merchants Distributors is a privately-owned wholesale grocery store distributor headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina. It supplies more than 600 retail food stores with food and non-food items in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, West Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Kentucky. MDI also exports to some 20 countries. It […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Southwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Grocers Supply Co. Named 2020 Southwest Wholesaler Of The Year
The Shelby Report has named Grocers Supply Co. its 2020 Southwest Wholesaler of the Year. The Texas-based wholesaler serves independent retailers, but the most important part of this 90-year-old family business is the people who work there, the company says. Message from the president In 2020, grocery retailers and in particular independent grocery retailers were truly […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Wakefern Named 2020 Northeast Wholesaler Of Year
Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, is The Griffin Report of the Northeast‘s 2020 Wholesaler of the Year. In a special section, Wakefern shared highlights of the past year. The company detailed its response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the path forward and praised its associates for their […]
