Message from the CEO
How do you go about
trying to unify a group of almost 600 independent and individually minded
retailers? At best, it's like trying to herd cats all in the same direction.
In our 60 year history, we have learned the importance of listening and
compromising. Our job is to help
independent grocery store owners do more than just survive, our job is to
help them succeed and thrive. For the independent retailer that means being
different than all the other retailers in town by being something unique
and extraordinary. It's what makes the independent retailer different that
makes them a success. We would never want to change that.We're competing against
sameness, the bland cookie-cutter approach used by the chains. We don't
have the resources to go head to head against the big chains, but we're
confident that we can beat them store to store. We can beat them because
each one of our independent retailers is the home team. Our retailers offer
value, choices, and new things, convenient locations and long open-for-business
hours. We offer the convenience of one-stop shopping, and we know how to
offer a friendly, personal touch in a clean, fun place to shop.At Associated Food
Stores, our job is provide everything the independent retailer needs to
shine. We expect each individual store to be a star.There is one thing
that serves to unite us. That the future belongs to the progressive and
aggressive independent retailer. One that's not afraid to embrace change
and challenge. One that's willing to be different. We salute the brave retailers
that we support. Rich Parkinson
CEO
