AG New England Grows C-store Program

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Associated Grocers of New England here said it has expanded and sharpened its C-store program, under the direction of C-store sales manager Steve Felton, to become more competitive and on trend.

"For many years we've supplied a number of independent C-store operators while servicing hundreds of independent markets and supermarkets in New England," said Felton in a statement. "We've recently expanded our product selection in key C-store categories, along with adding more single-pick offerings; this allows us to offer a very competitive program. We use national and regional data as well as aggressive new item introductions to make sure we have what our C-store customers need. Because of our unique organizational structure, we are very focused on listening to and providing them with the right product at the right time at the right price."

In addition to keeping abreast of the latest trends in marketing, AG New England said its C-store accounts can draw on a far broader assortment of merchandise than is available through traditional suppliers.

"Today's C-stores are constantly evolving their mix of products to satisfy their customers on a store-by-store basis," said Felton. "The depth of variety, as well as the merchandising and specialized support services we offer, greatly benefits C-stores. It's all about fulfilling customers' constantly changing needs and maximizing sales with a constant flow of new, interesting, appealing, fast-moving, and profitable items and programs within each store's size limitations.

"Our extensive offerings in meal replacement, produce, deli, bakery, and other foodservice programs -- combined with our full-line grocery and general merchandise programs and those that partner with other services C-stores require ­-- keep the stores on the leading edge," he continued. "Response to our expanded C-stores services has been very encouraging."

AG New England has built a new state-of-the-art distribution center in Pembroke, N.H., which, Felton observed, "provides considerably more space to accommodate the growth of our overall operations, including specialized buying and support personnel for our expanded C-store program."

The largest retailer-owned wholesale grocery distribution center in New England, AG New England is owned entirely by independent retail grocers as members of a cooperative. The company serves independent food retailers in Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the upstate New York/Albany region.
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