The Independent Grocers Alliance named nine of its members as the 2023 U.S. Retailers of the Year.
These innovative grocery store operators and their teams are leading the charge to move the independent grocery industry forward and have been nominated by their wholesalers as their top retailers, making them among the best of the best 30,000 independents in the U.S., according to a news release.
IGA Inc. is an American chain of grocery stores that operates in more than 41 countries. Unlike the chain store business model, IGA operates as a franchise through stores that are owned separately from the brand. Many of these stores operate in small-town markets and belong to families that manage them.
The 2023 Retailers of the Year are:
- Joe Campos of Kingstree IGA in Kingstree, S.C., nominated by W. Lee Flowers and Co.
- Tate Cox of Cox Foods IGA in Jackson, Ky., nominated by Laurel Grocery Co.
- John Hallinan of The Richmond Shops IGA in Philadelphia, nominated by Bozzuto's.
- Rich and Darlene Hoffman of Sky Plaza IGA in Garrettsville, Ohio, nominated by SpartanNash.
- Paul, Mike, and Tim Matovich of Columbus IGA Plus in Columbus, Mo., nominated by UNFI.
- Jimmy Perkins of Hometown IGA in Jasper, Ind., nominated by Houchens Food.
- Rob Rowe of Rowe’s IGA Baymeadows in Jacksonville, Fla., nominated by Merchant Distributors Inc.
- Mike and Sharlene Spires of Spires IGA Supermarket in Lake Butler, Fla., nominated by Ira Higdon Grocery Co.
- Tyler Trask and Tanya Murray of Granite Falls IGA in Granite Falls, Wash., nominated by C&S Wholesalers.
These awards are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities. IGA CEO John Ross, Senior Vice President of Retail and Business Development Doug Fritsch, and National Retailer Advisory Board President and 2020 International Retailer of the Year Bob Rybick committed to visiting each store in January to get a firsthand feel for 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 and community service — on stage at the Feb. 27 IGA Awards of Excellence ceremony.
Held in Las Vegas during The NGA Show, the ceremony will recognize fellow IGA Retailers of the Year from other countries, as well as select Red Oval partners and wholesalers.
At the ceremony, one of the IGA USA Retailers of the Year will be named IGA USA International Retailer of the Year.