Coborn’s Builds Customers One At A Time

Chris Coborn, president and CEO of St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn’s Inc., explores the regional retailer’s diverse mix of store formats and continued avenues for growth, among other issues, in the latest Industry Talk video interview.

Founded in 1921 as a single produce market in Sauk Rapids, Minn., Coborn’s now owns and operates 41 eponymous banner stores, along with Cash Wise Foods and Save-A-Lot stores in the upper Midwest. Named as Minnesota’s 2010 Family Business of the Year for Community Service and Philanthropy last year by Minnesota Business magazine, the company also operates convenience, liquor, video and hardware stores, as well as pharmacies and central bakery, dry cleaning and commissary operations.

With 6,700 employee/owners who share equity in the company through an accelerating employee stock ownership program (ESOP), Chris Coborn also discusses CobornsDelivers.com, the retailer's unique and successful online grocery ordering and home delivery service.

In the first of a two-part video interview with PG’s chief editor Meg Major, Coborn's chief executive also describes the unique opportunities and challenges independent retailers face in today’s competitive marketplace. “You must stay focused on what you can control — taking and building customers one at a time,” he says.

To learn more about Coborn’s Inc. and its successful array of store formats and subsidiaries, watch the full video interview here, or visit the Industry Talk microsite.

Co-produced by Progressive Grocer and DemandTec, Industry Talk is the first-of-its-kind executive insights video platform in the retail food industry, and consists of a robust lineup of additional profiles with other industry leaders, who discuss top-of mind issues impacting the supermarket industry.