Marsh Switches to Supervalu as Primary Wholesaler
Marsh Supermarkets has inked a long-term supply agreement with Supervalu Inc., which will serve as the Indianapolis-based retailer's primary grocery wholesaler and service provider for select functions. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of September.
As one of the most significant retail customer acquisitions for the Minneapolis-based wholesaler in recent years, Supervalu will supply all Marsh and O’Malia Food Markets with staple categories, including produce, meat, deli, bakery, seafood, grocery, frozen foods and dairy. Marsh's alliance with Supervalu will also add the latter's robust store-brand portfolio, including Wild Harvest, Culinary Circle and Essential Everyday brands.
Marsh, which has utilized C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. as its primary wholesalers since 2011, will also employ Supervalu's professional and merchandising support services, including advanced merchandise planning, strategic retail pricing analysis and shelf management programs, as well as the wholesaler's new SV Insights business intelligence tool and mobile order entry system.
"Our customers tell us fresh foods are critically important and one of the key reasons they choose Marsh," said Tom O'Boyle, Marsh's chairman and CEO. "They also want the best quality and value for their hard-earned dollars. Our partnership with Supervalu makes all of that possible by delivering top quality at a lower price for our customers."
“Marsh Supermarkets is a terrific grocery chain that has served customers and communities across Indiana and Ohio for 85 years,” said Supervalu CEO Mark Gross. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to combine both our wholesale and logistics experience with our professional service offerings to deliver a comprehensive solution for them.”
The new partnership comes two months after Marsh launched its Better Food Now Has a Better Price initiative, which reduced prices on more than 1,800 of the items most regularly purchased by customers. Since then, even more prices have been reduced, taking the total number of reduced-price items to 2,600. In addition, Marsh has been on an aggressive remodel plan, having remodeled about 25 stores over the past two years, with another 20 in the planning stages.
Marsh Supermarkets operates approximately 70 Marsh Supermarkets and O’Malia Food Markets across Indiana and Ohio, as well as 38 pharmacy locations.
Supervalu Inc. serves customers across the United States through a network of 3,588 stores composed of 1,796 independent stores serviced primarily by its food distribution business; 1,360 Save-A-Lot stores, of which 897 are operated by licensee owners; and 200 traditional retail grocery stores.