C&S to Take Over Piggly Wiggly Distribution

Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. (PWCC) has unveiled plans to shut down its two warehouses in North Charleston and Jedburg, S.C., and outsource its distribution to C&S Wholesale Grocers.

PWCC’s new distribution model comes on the heels of the Charleston, S.C.-based grocer’s sale of 28 of its stores -- 22 to Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, and six stores to Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc.

C&S' South Carolina distribution center will supply PWCC’s 32 company-owned and 28 franchised locations; the transition is expected to take 90 to 120 days.

"Affected employees have been provided with, at minimum, 60-days-notice of this change," Christopher Ibsen, director of corporate affairs, told Progressive Grocer. He added that, among other offerings, the company "has organized and hosted numerous, on-site job interview days with outside companies, along with resume workshops, for employees."

Founded in 1947, Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. has more than 3,000 employee-owners across South Carolina and coastal Georgia.