The Supermarket News compiled a list of the top 50 independent and small-chain supermarket operators whose volumes fall below $1 billion. Tops on the list is Fareway Stores, an Iowa chain that operates 96 stores and has sales of $950 million (2009).
All but seven companies on the list work with distributors. Of those operators with distributors, 11 are supplied by Supervalu, while Associated Wholesale Grocers (Kansas) and Unified Grocers (California) supply seven stores each. Five of the companies on the list are ShopRite members supplied by Wakefern.
Local companies on the list include the following:
#5) Redner’s Markets – $800 million in sales (as of year-ending 9/30/09)
#14) Fresh Market – $600 million (2009)
#25) Brown’s Super Stores (ShopRite) – $450 million (2009)