IGA Names 2024 USA Retailers of the Year

DECEMBER 14, 2023—The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) is pleased to announce nine members as the 2024 U.S. Retailers of the Year. These visionary grocery store operators and their teams are driving progress in the independent grocery industry. Nominated by their wholesalers as the top retailers, they stand out among the premier establishments within the extensive network of 30,000 independent grocers in the U.S.

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

The 2024 Retailers of the Year are:

• John & Chad Cropper | Crop's Fresh Marketplace | Downington, PA | Bozzuto's Inc.
• Jim Floyd, Gainhart Samuelson, & Bruce Westre | Hammer & Wikan | Petersburg, AK | J.B. Gottstein
• Tim Forshee | Price Less IGA #484 | Bowling Green, KY | Houchens Food Group
• Judy Gabriele & Don Gabriele | Nemenz IGA | Struthers, OH | Laurel Grocery Company
• Rob Hilleary | Pocahontas IGA | Marlinton, WV | Merchant Distributors, Inc.
• Debbie Jacques Malone | KJ's Market | Greenwood, SC | W. Lee Flowers
• Dan Holt & Joe Lauria | Holt's IGA | Fayetteville, TN | Associated Wholesale Grocers Nashville Division
• Jeff Maurer & Kristie Maurer | Maurer's Market IGA | Wisconsin Dells, WI | UNFI
• Ben Painter & Greg Wasley| SPD Markets | Grass Valley, CA | C&S Wholesale Grocers

"The 2024 Retailers of the Year showcase excellence across every dimension of a thriving community grocer, offering a diverse range of local and fresh products," said IGA CEO John Ross. "These outstanding retailers not only foster meaningful connections within their communities but also demonstrate exemplary leadership as employers, embodying the spirit of success in independent grocery enterprises."

Based on information gathered during IGA’s 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 March 11, 2024. Held in Las Vegas, Nevada 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 of the IGA USA Retailers of the Year will be named IGA USA International Retailer of the Year.

Ross and Senior Vice President Retail and Business Development Doug Fritsch will visit each store in January and February 2024 to get a firsthand feel for how the retailer interacts with employees, customers, and the community. 

About The Independent Grocers Alliance

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) was founded in 1926, bringing together independent grocers across the United States to ensure that the trusted, family-owned local grocery store remained strong in the face of growing chain competition. IGA is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of over $40 billion per year. The Alliance includes more than 6,200 stores globally, with operations in 46 of the United States and nearly 25 countries, commonwealths, and territories.