Northwest Grocers, Unified Grocers Ink Partnership Deal

Northwest Grocers (NWG) has formed a strategic alliance with Unified Grocers, making it the exclusive marketing and advertising company for Unified’s Pacific Northwest member stores operating under banners trademarked by Unified and IGA USA.

In August, NWG will begin managing all marketing and advertising activities for these stores, which include more than 120 locations operating under the Thriftway, Red Apple Markets, Select Markets, IGA Market Fresh and other banners. The alliance provides many benefits for the retailers and Unified: In addition to the increased buying power and synergies created from the new “virtual chain” of stores, the alliance will help streamline the group’s administration and marketing activities, optimize member opportunities and promotions, simplify vendor relations, and promote sales growth for all stakeholders.

“Northwest Grocers is excited about this new strategic alliance with Unified,” said Stan Trask, NWG president. “The synergies created with this agreement will strengthen independent grocery retailers’ competitive position in the marketplace.”

Added Ray VanWetten, Unified VP of sales: “This is great news. Partnering with Northwest Grocers is an important step in solidifying the position our member retailers hold in the Pacific Northwest. Together, we will be able to help our retailers buy and sell more efficiently, build their brands and ultimately better compete and grow for years to come.”

Based in Tukwila, Wash., Northwest Grocers is a group of Unified Grocers retail members that organized a limited liability corporation to perform services in the areas of retail marketing, advertising and other retail service solutions.

Commerce, Calif.-based Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States.