IGA Names Top Independent Grocers

9 retailers are chosen as the organization's 2024 U.S. Retailers of the Year

12/19/2023

IGA has named the nine U.S. Retailers of the Year recipients.

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has named its 2024 U.S. Retailers of the Year. According to IGA officials, these grocery store operators and their teams are moving the independent grocery industry forward. Each was nominated by their wholesalers as top retailers, making them among the best of the best 30,000 independents in the United States.

The 2024 Retailers of the Year are:

John & Chad Cropper | Crop's Fresh Market | Downingtown, Pa. | Bozzuto's
Jim Floyd, Gainhart Samuelson & Bruce Westre | Hammer & Wikan | Petersburg, Alaska | J.B. Gottstein
Tim Forshee | Price Less IGA #484 | Bowling Green, Ky. | Houchens Food Group
Judy & Don Gabriele | Nemenz IGA | Struthers, Ohio | Laurel Grocery Co.
Rob Hilleary | Pocahontas IGA | Marlinton, W. Va. | Merchant Distributors Inc.
Debbie Jacques Malone | KJ's Market | Greenwood, S.C. | W. Lee Flowers
Dan Holt & Joe Lauria | Holt's IGA | Fayetteville, Tenn. | Associated Wholesale Grocers, Nashville Division
Jeff & Kristie Maurer | Maurer's Market IGA | Wisconsin Dells, Wis. | UNFI
Ben Painter & Greg Wasley | SPD Markets | Grass Valley, Calif. | C&S Wholesale Grocers

The Retailer of the Year awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members and are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities.

IGA CEO John Ross, SVP Retail and Business Development Doug Fritsch and 2023 IGA USA International Retailer of the Year Rob Rowe will visit each store in January and February 2024 to get a firsthand look at how the retailer interacts with employees, customers and the community.

Based on information gathered during the store visits, each IGA USA Retailer of the Year will receive additional recognition for their unique accomplishments such as innovations, community service, etc. on stage at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on Monday, March 11, 2024.

Held in Las Vegas during The NGA Show, the Awards of Excellence Ceremony will recognize fellow IGA Retailers of the Year from other countries in addition to select Red Oval partners and wholesalers. At the ceremony, one IGA USA Retailer of the Year will be named IGA USA International Retailer of the Year.

Founded in 1926, IGA is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network, with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $43 billion per year. The alliance encompasses more than 6,300 stores globally, with operations in 46 of the United States and 25-plus countries, commonwealths and territories.

This article first appeared on the site of sister publication Store Brands.