Grocery Outlet’s Path to a More Sustainable Future
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has released its "Impact Report" covering fiscal year 2024. The discounter’s unique business model, which is focused on quality food access, local ownership and sustainability, drives value across three key pillars: Communities, People and Planet.
“Throughout 2024, we advanced our mission of Touching Lives for the Better by promoting affordable food access, reducing waste and encouraging entrepreneurship,” said Jason Potter, president and CEO of Grocery Outlet. “I am excited to guide our company forward in service of our mission. My goal is to create greater value for all our stakeholders and strengthen our unique business model — one that blends national buying power and extreme value with the entrepreneurial spirit of our independent operators. Together, we will continue to build a brighter, more sustainable future.”
Key impact areas highlighted in the report are:
- Saving Customers Money: Through its opportunistic buying model and strategic partnerships with suppliers, Grocery Outlet said that it has consistently delivered products at prices generally 40% lower than those of conventional retailers. In 2024, the company launched a private label program, introducing more than 180 new SKUs across grocery and deli categories, strengthening its market presence, and delivering more value to customers. According to Grocery Outlet, it plans to expand its private label categories and portfolio.
- Giving Back to Communities: The company’s annual Independence from Hunger Campaign raised nearly $4.9 million in 2024, and its inaugural GO Volunteer Day provided 34,000 meals to local community members.
- Creating Opportunities for Independent Operators: Grocery Outlet’s business model attracted more than 40,000 inquiries to join the company’s network of independent operators. Grocery Outlet welcomed 49 new independent operators, growing its network to 481, including 16 entrepreneurs who have expanded to operate dual stores. Last year, Grocery Outlet launched the Good to Great program for a select group of independent operators who had completed their first year. The three-day continuing-education initiative focuses on advanced business management strategies. The company plans to host additional gatherings in 2025. The Grocery Outlet Mobile App also launched in 2024, and by year end, the company reported 1.24 million downloads, surpassing its goal of 1 million. The app allows shoppers to track savings, find trending items and get personalized recommendations.
- Reducing Food Waste: Grocery Outlet’s sourcing model supports food waste reduction by focusing on excess inventory and offering surplus food to its customers. The retailer contributed to avoiding more than 762 million pounds of food waste last year. Additionally, Grocery Outlet's regional fulfillment centers donated an estimated 3.3 million pounds of groceries to food banks and charitable organizations in 2024, a more than 60% increase over the estimated 2 million pounds donated in 2023.
- Improving Operational Efficiency: The company achieved a 73% increase in the number of its stores using more efficient CO2 refrigeration; 100% of its stores now use an energy management system and timed heating and lighting controls, while 63% of its third-party carrier partners are SmartWay certified.
Emeryville, Calif.-based Grocery Outlet offers products sold through a network of independently operated stores at more than 540 locations in California, Washington state, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Idaho, Nevada, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, Ohio, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky and Virginia. The company is No. 65 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2025 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.
