The Fogle family owns six Piggly Wiggly stores across South Carolina. The family has been in the grocery business since the mid-80s. In 1998, Fogle’s, Inc. switched its banner from Giant Food World to the famous pig. 

Fogle doesn’t care to talk much about himself or his business, saying instead what really matters is the way his customers are treated. Asked about his community involvement or the success of the stores, he replied: “We know where our blessing comes from, and we’ll just leave it at that … we believe in supporting the community.”

Business was good before the COVID-19 pandemic, but Fogle’s, Inc. saw the same boom as many other independents. Again, Fogle just commended his teams and their support of their communities. 

“When [the pandemic] started, all the news media talked about was gloom and doom, and our people and customers were scared,” he recalled. “We didn’t know what was going to happen.

“We have a good team, but we all stuck together and served the customer and just kept working. Everybody kept their heads down and went to work for each other.”

Fogle’s pandemic experience was perhaps a bit unique than others. As it approached, his company was putting the finishing touches on a store, which celebrated its grand opening in February 2020. Within 60 days, the country shut down. 

“It probably couldn’t have been timed worse. But we made it,” he said. 

Since the pandemic, Fogle has been working to remodel and expand the other stores. He’s completed the renovation of one and is preparing to undertake two more. He said the most recent remodel was probably the most extensive. It began in 2021 and continued until the end of 2022.

“We added space to pretty much every department, including the back room and the work areas. It was a big project,” he said. 

One of the next two stores is going to get similar treatment. 

“One that we plan on doing this year is enlarging the footprint a little bit, but we’re getting all new equipment, new decor, it’s going to be a whole redesign,” he said. 

He hopes to get those updates started mid-year. 

Fogle has also increased pay for his staff “several times,” noting “it’s the right thing to do.” Perhaps as a result, all his stores are fully staffed, something not many grocers can claim in the current work climate. 

While staffing isn’t a main issue, there isn’t as much “depth” as he’d like.

“We’re fully staffed, but there’s not really any depth in all our departments,” he said. “If somebody retires or leaves, we will have to go outside of the company to replace them. When we get a new location or expand, we try and promote from within, if possible.”

In all his years in the grocery industry, what has truly shocked him most is the drop in the number of stores. He recalled when his hometown of Orangeburg, South Carolina, had “six or seven supermarkets in town. Now there are maybe three supermarkets.”

However, he did say that now is the best time to be an independent. “The market is wide open for folks that want to get into the business and try their best,” he said. “I just think the opportunity has never been better.”

For more information, visit pwadc.net.

To read more news from Piggly Wiggly by The Shelby Report, click here.

The post Fogle’s, Inc. Owner: Opportunity ‘Never Been Better’ For Independents appeared first on Shelby Report.

The facility, which totals more than one million square feet of space and is some 80 feet tall throughout, features advanced intelligence, automation and an expanded variety of offerings to improve system-wide distribution and logistics performance. 

The automation technology and evolved organizational infrastructure will enable long-term, sustainable growth and support success and a competitive advantage for member retailers. Furthermore, it will help AWG and the region continue to attract, develop and retain an engaged and high-performing workforce. 

AWG partnered on the hub with WITRON, a leader in designing and realizing dynamic food warehouse automation and order-picking systems. The WITRON system is integrated into every area of the facility, including the handling of case and pallet goods, ambient temperature, refrigerated perishables, frozen foods and fulfillment of individual unit product orders. 

According to AWG, the automated system will increase the throughput of products, maximize efficiencies, improve accuracy and reduce product loss and waste due to damaged goods.

Due to the closed system of the AWG cooperative model, this will allow member stores to realize savings in overall product cost and transportation and benefit from the accuracy and lower salvage rates. Member retailers will reap cost savings while experiencing the highest possible product integrity and safety levels in the food supply chain. 

The hub, which has room to expand, accommodates all products and categories within today’s full assortment and specialty supermarkets.

It also has unique features, such as an earth-friendly non-ammonia refrigeration system and 10 pressurized banana rooms. There also are docks on both sides of the building to ensure end-to-end temperature control and five high-capacity generators for uninterrupted wall-to-wall operations. 

AWG President and CEO David Smith told the gathering that the company was “incredibly proud” to unveil the hub.

“[This] represents a significant leap forward for AWG and our commitment to delivering  exceptional service to our members and fulfill our mission to provide our member-retailers with all the tools, products and services they need to compete favorably in all markets served at the lowest possible cost,” Smith said. “This facility showcases our dedication to innovation and operational excellence.” 

Barry Queen, chairman of AWG’s board of directors, echoed Smith’s remarks, noting the hub marks “a milestone in our cooperative’s history.”

“With this cutting-edge facility, we reinforce our position as industry leaders, setting new standards for grocery distribution efficiency,” Queen said. “We are excited to celebrate this achievement and look forward to its positive impact on our members and communities.

“The grocery business is changing fast. And with this new All-In-One Distribution Hub, AWG will be well-positioned to meet the needs of retailers for many, many years to come.” 

AWG is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently-owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and more than 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from nine wholesale divisions.

In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide real estate and supermarket development services, health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmaceutical products, specialty foods and natural and organic products.

For more wholesaler and distributor news from The Shelby Report, click here.

The post AWG Opens All-In-One Distribution Hub In Hernando, MS appeared first on Shelby Report.

“Immediately, that BI-LO bailed out,” said Craig Kelley, director of operations said. “But we stayed and kind of suffered because of that cutoff.”

The store had done extremely well up until that point. It then saw diminished returns as more customers had to adjust to the new traffic configuration. The store sits on the side of a six-lane highway with a concrete barrier between the road and parking lot. A single four-way traffic light is the customers’ only access point. 

Still, the store hung on, which Manager Freddie Broach attributed to its devoted customers and workers.

When Piggly Wiggly Carolina dissolved in 2014, Lynn Willard decided to take over ownership of the site and a few others. Willard went to work updating the location under his company’s name, Lowcountry Grocers. Most of the remodel was a facelift, but he provided sound leadership and a solid path forward. 

“The good thing about it is Mr. Willard is my boss. He’s all I have to answer to,” Kelly said. “Everything we do is something near and dear to his and our hearts, so we trust him to do it and he trusts us.”

Kelly said the group of 14 stores owned by Willard works cooperatively as the market areas Willard operates have become “highly saturated.”  

“The market is very competitive. So many competitors are coming into the area, so we’ve got to be able to continuously compete with all these big brands,” he said. 

The North Charleston store is famous for its in-store butcher. It saw a lot of success during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Broach.

“I think it played in our favor because you couldn’t get much meat throughout the whole pandemic. You couldn’t buy in bulk. You sometimes couldn’t find it at all,” he said.

“We got people going through these processing techniques, and they’re working hard and people really appreciated it.”

Workers in the meat department cut almost every single piece of meat that goes on the store shelves. Labor might be the only thing holding back the operation. “If I could hire 15 people and make payroll limits, I’d do it,” Kelly said. 

He went on to note that labor has “always been an issue for any grocer.”

While the butcher is something Kelly and Broach are particularly proud of, what they admire most about the store is its dedication to a charitable event known as “The Basket Brigade.” 

Begun about 20 years ago, the event aims to get meals in the hands of those who need them at the holidays. During the first, about 10 or 15 families received baskets, according to Kelly. However, since North Charleston and the other Piggly Wigglys within Lowcountry Grocers have joined in to help, the event has grown exponentially. Within the past year, 3,500 families received food that was donated by the grocers.

For more information, visit pwadc.net.

To read more news from Piggly Wiggly by The Shelby Report, click here.

The post Lowcountry Grocers Proud To Carry ‘The Pig’ Banner In Competitive Market appeared first on Shelby Report.

Through the campaign, which runs through June 27, customers have the opportunity to make a difference by making a $5 cash donation at checkout in-store or online through Food Lion To Go.

All donations will be matched by 10 Food Lion suppliers: Campbell’s, Coca-Cola, Frito Lay, Gatorade, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Pepsi Beverages and Unilever, doubling the impact, up to $1 million.

According to Feeding America, an estimated 32 million meals are needed to help children and families during the summer months. The “Summers Without Hunger” campaign helps provide access to meals to those facing hunger in partnership with Feeding America and the 33 local partner food banks throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.

“Children and their families often experience hunger during the summer when schools are closed and meals are not provided,” said Kevin Durkee, manager.

“At Food Lion, nourishing our neighbors and addressing food insecurity is at the core of everything we do in the towns and cities we serve. We sincerely appreciate our vendors and customers for partnering with us to ensure we provide nourishment and make a difference in the lives of young children.”

Since the Food Lion Feeds’ “Summers Without Hunger” campaign began in 2020, customers have helped to provide about 40 million meals to neighbors facing hunger.

In addition to customers’, suppliers’ and Food Lion’s donations, employees will also volunteer throughout the month at several local Feeding America partner food banks to help distribute food.

Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion has helped to provide more than 1 billion meals to people since 2014 and has committed to donating 1.5 billion meals by 2025.

For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to fight hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.

The post Food Lion Feeds Launches Annual Campaign For Summer Meals appeared first on Shelby Report.

OrderInsite’s automated technology will help the grocer implement an action plan at a corporate level so pharmacies in the impacted regions can focus on customers. It’s important for pharmacies to have the necessary medications available in advance of customers starting their hurricane preparations.

This technology provides predictive analytics, quick adjustments for re-ordering and drug forecasting so Publix knows which prescription medications to fast-track to which stores. It also allows Publix to update the action plan in real time if a storm changes its path.

“We are happy to support Publix and provide a customized solution that allows its pharmacists to prepare ahead of a natural disaster like a hurricane,” said George Lazenby, CEO of OrderInsite.

“It’s important that Publix customers have access to their medications when they need them and it’s rewarding to be a part of their overall plan so communities are better prepared for the unknown.”

Publix operates more than 1,200 pharmacies across seven states in the Southeast that are impacted during hurricane season.

“We are always striving to provide the best quality service to our customers and that means being prepared for extreme weather events like a hurricane,” said Dain Rusk, Publix VP of pharmacy.

“OrderInsite’s expertise and support help our pharmacies be well-equipped to navigate these unpredicted challenges. Their advanced systems allow us to make informed decisions quickly prioritizing the necessary prescription drugs that our customers need.”

For more information, visit GetOrderInsite.com or publix.com/pharmacy.

The post Publix Pharmacies, OrderInsite Solutions Partner For Hurricane Season appeared first on Shelby Report.

The company began with a single warehouse, called the Birmingham Food Terminal, with a rented outside freezer and refrigeration facilities. In 1967, the company – known then as the “Birmingham Warehouse” – relocated to larger facilities. It grew from 115,000 square feet to 185,000 square feet, serving Piggly Wigglys exclusively, according to PWADC archive documents.

Since then, PWADC has posted explosive success, now serving more than 270 stores – not all of them Piggly Wiggly – in seven states. 

As noted on its website, “Located in Bessemer, Alabama, PWADC provides independent operators the freshest and highest quality bakery/deli, grocery, meat and produce items, as well as advertising services, distribution warehouse and transportation, real accounting, Retail Pricing Management System, three annual food shows and store engineering.” 

The company operates from a 1-million-square-foot warehouse that houses all of its operations, from crane operators to corporate offices. The warehouse is the third over a span of 30 years, according to George Davis, department head of grocery shipping. As of March, Davis has been with PWADC 30 years.

“We’ve grown like kudzu since I started,” he said. “The warehouse was half the size it is now…employees were about half as well. I’ve been through – wow – three expansions of the warehouse. I guess I could say that people are going to eat, we need to eat and people need to get their food from somewhere. I’m glad it’s us.”

Meat Receiving Manager Marty Allred is a 40-plus-year veteran of PWADC. He briefly expounded upon the company’s expansion. “We moved down here, where we are now, in 1988, and we’ve added on more forklift drivers, employees, you name it. We’ve grown tremendously.”

The current warehouse has seen major improvements as well. 

In previous The Shelby Report coverage, where PWADC was named the 2019 Southeast Wholesaler of the Year, the company was undergoing an extensive $1 million lighting project. The goal was to help the warehouse become more “green and energy efficient,” Matt Peters, VP of finance, said at the time.

At the same time, PWADC completed the installation of electric-power receptacles on the refrigerated units to cool delivery trucks more efficiently.

To maintain a steady workforce, Corporate Director of HR Herb Clark has worked closely with members of the local community to encourage workers to join The Pig. 

The company has been taking the usual routes of attending job fairs and placing ads and billboards. But Clark has devised some unique recruiting tactics. 

“We speak with teachers and guidance counselors from all area high schools,” he said. “They’ll pull out the kids that aren’t going to college but are good kids and are looking for somewhere to work. And I would say that probably 60 percent of the group didn’t even know we were here.”

The company also is making plans to attend local parent teacher association meetings. “Those are things, years ago, you would have never thought about doing,” Clark said.

While the industry as a whole continues to weather inflation and a slowed supply chain, PWADC works closely with its members because they are the owners. 

“It’s truly a business partnership with the retailers. It’s not just a tagline,” Peters said. “The people that we serve own a piece of our cooperative. We don’t have three or four stockholders, the owners of the company are also the retailers that we service.”

That partnership comes with a number of benefits for members, including POS and field support.

“Retags, remodels, grand openings, new case equipment, research, I mean we truly care about the retailers,” said Kenny Hamilton, director of meat, deli and bakery. “We have people that are going out on the street. They go out and assist our customers and help them be successful. That differentiates us from other distributors that are just offering a quick sale.”

PWADC is focused on building from within to help throughout. The company offers a variety of retail services, including advertising, retail store development, engineering and pricing. Advertising is one of the most prominent. Without it, retailers can’t build their brand. 

Some of the advertising services PWADC offers its members include:

• Customer-tailored circular and newspaper ad layouts
• Discounted printing
• Web pages/Facebook management
• Window and specialty signs and banners designs
• Gift certificates

Retail store development is one of the distributor’s largest service arms. PWADC finds a way to help, whether co-op members need advice or help with event coordination, merchandising, operations or sales. 

“We try to help them wherever we can with any of their analytics,” said Dominic Baldone, director of grocery procurement. “But it all comes down to what the retailers want to do.”

He added that the services provided are suggestions. And that is one of the main differences between a traditional wholesaler and a cooperative – PWADC can provide all the tools, but the retailers know their markets best and how to run their stores.

“If they want to put paper towels in the meat department, we aren’t going to walk into their store and stop them. That’s the retail side of things,” Baldone said. “We might have a hand in it all, but that decision, ultimately, stays with the retailer.”

As an example, many Piggly Wigglys – particularly those PWADC serves – have in-house butchers. The company’s various meat programs help retailers decide what to carry. The company’s extensive Certified Angus Beef program recognizes the desires of independents and customers for fresh meat prepared in-store, according to Hamilton. 

“Butchers are something that is synonymous with Piggly Wiggly. Most of all of our retailers cut product in-house, fresh daily,” he said. 

Hamilton also said CAB program is the company’s mainstay.

“We offer it to all our customers. It’s something that they can use as a branding tool as long as they go through the Certified Angus Beef class,” he said. “Then we’ll help them to use it as an advertising tool.”

In addition, the wholesaler offers a case-ready program that is mostly used by members as a backup, Hamilton said. It is particularly popular with those that don’t have access to an in-house butcher. 

For more information, visit pwadc.net.

To read more news from Piggly Wiggly by The Shelby Report, click here.

The post Emphasis At PWADC Is On Building From Within To Help Throughout appeared first on Shelby Report.

The club, at 543 Industrial Blvd., marks the first BJ’s Wholesale Club in Tennessee. This opening will bring the number of U.S. clubs to 238, expanding the company’s footprint to 19 states.

The club has a BJ’s Gas location on-site, offering members additional savings through BJ’s Fuel Saver Program. The La Vergne BJ’s Gas station will open on June 2, offering regular, premium and diesel fuels.

“We can’t wait to open our doors to the La Vergne community at BJ’s brand-new club,” said Christopher Kelly, club manager of La Vergne’s BJ’s Wholesale Club.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this momentous occasion as BJ’s Wholesale Club expands into the state of Tennessee, bringing the unbeatable value and incredible savings to our newest members in Rutherford County. Our entire team is extremely proud to have this remarkable opportunity and impact the communities where we work and live in a positive way.”

At BJ’s, members can choose from a variety of shopping options like in-club shopping, curbside pickup, in-club pickup, same-day delivery and standard delivery. When shopping in-club, members will have access to ExpressPay through the BJ’s mobile app, a service that allows shoppers to scan products as they go and avoid the checkout line at the end of each trip.

BJ’s is offering a limited-time founding member offer for local shoppers interested in joining the club through June 15. Shoppers can sign up for The Club Card Membership for one year at $55 and get a $40 welcome reward plus $50 in coupons. Shoppers can also choose to sign up for The Club+ Card Membership for one year at $110 and get a $80 welcome reward plus $50 in coupons. The Club+ Card Membership holders earn 2 percent cash back on most BJ’s purchases.

Local shoppers interested in learning more about BJ’s Wholesale Club and signing up for a membership can visit BJs.com/LaVergne or sign up in person at the membership center.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation is supporting the local community through its partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. This summer, BJ’s Charitable Foundation is supporting Second Harvest’s Hunger Free Summer initiative, a program that raises awareness of hunger within the community and provides meals to youth who are facing food insecurity as school cafeterias close for the summer months.

“We are grateful for the support from BJ’s Wholesale Club,” said Nancy Keil, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

“As we enter the summer months, many children, who rely on schools for healthy and nutritious meals, may lose access to these services. Food insecurity is a real concern to children and families in Middle and West Tennessee, and the generosity of BJ’s Wholesale Club will help us feed thousands of children who otherwise would not receive essential meals this summer.”

The post BJ’s Wholesale Club Shares Plans For First Tennessee Location appeared first on Shelby Report.

His late father worked his way up from a retail counselor to director of store development. During that time, he met Ronnie Baker, a longtime friend and customer of Piggly Wiggly. In fact, Welborn said his father convinced Baker to switch from his previous distributor to PWADC.

“One thing my dad used to preach – which I do today – is the value of the Piggly Wiggly brand,” Welborn said. “We all make our name and live off our reputations, but there’s just some brands and things that stand a little taller than we ever can.”

The two went into business together to open B&W Foods, with their first Piggly Wiggly opening in 1998 in Northport, Alabama. Baker continues to share ownership with Welborn, whose father passed away in 2010. By that time, the business had grown to include four stores. 

Welborn was ready to take the reins after having grown up in the industry. He had previously worked in stores, visited them with his father and earn a degree in small company management and entrepreneurship from the University of Alabama.

B&W’s first store opened when he was starting college. Welborn said he and his father were discussing their own store and it got the latter’s “retail side flowing again.”

“It was definitely something that I wanted to do, and I think it spurred him into looking at what the options were as we weren’t in a position to buy a store,” he said. “Fortunately, he came across Mr. Baker, and he and my dad saw things the same and they partnered up. It’s all kind of history from there.”

In 2020, B&W opened its fifth store. “Yep, right in the middle of COVID-19,” Welborn said with a chuckle. 

As anybody opening a new business would know, there really is no ideal time to do it. That couldn’t have been more apparent than during a global pandemic. But Welborn said the store was available and intriguing.

“We were trying to figure everything out, how we could make it work,” he recalled. “It was too good of an opportunity to pass it up because we were concerned about whether or not our warehouse could handle trying to take on that volume in the middle of everything in that period. But we got it to work and opened on the last day of 2020.”

Structurally, the building was in good shape, though it did need some major renovations. Welborn had to gut it to put in new cases and energy-efficient refrigeration. He also replaced all the doors and wood flooring, as well as installing LED lighting. 

It was a difficult process. Not only the physical strain of trying to navigate major renovations while parts of the country were sheltering in place, but it was also the first major project Welborn undertook without his father. 

“It was difficult,” he said. “Even when he wasn’t in the best of health, when we opened our first store, he was very much involved. That was the first one I got to really participate from the very first step and was responsible for making sure the plans that we laid out and the equipment we ordered and everything was as it should be. It was difficult.”

Speaking to accomplishing that goal without his father, Welborn said he would’ve been proud of the fact his son was comfortable enough with the operation to undertake a new store.

“It’s a little bittersweet, probably more sad than proud. In the overall picture, I was involved. But I always had a pretty good safety net. It was only that my dad wasn’t there to see it because I think it was something he would have been really, really proud of.”

Welborn has no plans for a sixth store but is “certainly keeping [his] eyes open.” He is more concerned about making sure his company takes care of its current stores, keeping them staffed and supplied.

The post B&W Foods Ownership Preaches ‘Value Of The Piggly Wiggly Brand’ appeared first on Shelby Report.

“I can’t remember the year when it happened, but it’s been, I would say, probably one of the best moves we’ve ever made,” said Milligan of JTM Corp.

PWADC hosts three annual food shows where retailers get to meet and speak directly with the supplier. The Shelby Report caught up with the four retailers, as well as PWADC President and CEO Jerry McCann, to learn why they chose to become part of the company and why it deserves the title of “Hometown Hero.” 

McDaniel spoke to his experience with Hurricane Michael in 2018. His stores in northern Florida were in serious danger, but a conversation with McCann set his mind at ease.

“Michael came over and tracked right across the line where all our stores are. I remember sitting in a room at my house, and we didn’t have power,” he recalled. “I was just figuring how much inventory we’d lost. I knew it was going to be a very huge obstacle.

“I called Jerry McCann on the phone and said, ‘Jerry I’m going to have a lot of inventory to replace. I’m really worried about our cash flow because it’s going to be quite a bit of money.’ Jerry said, ‘Whatever you need me to do, we’re here for you.’”

The distributor was able to get McDaniel what he needed. He was even able to give away some of his inventory to first responders, members of the community and his employees who were affected by the natural disaster. 

McCann expounded further: “Right after the hurricane, there were almost riots down there of people trying to get food. People were trying to get in and the police had to show up…they weren’t allowed to serve anybody until they had electricity back. 

“One lady walked up saying, ‘I’ve got to have formula for my baby.’ Well, the police still wouldn’t let anybody in. So [McDaniel] told the woman to come back later and go around back…When she came back, he gave her the formula. She asked, ‘How much do I owe you?’ He said, ‘You have it.’ And he went back inside. That’s just one of the many things that all of our stores do to take care of their communities.”

For Milligan, PWADC showed its “hometown hero” mettle during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When COVID first hit, we were working our employees,” he said. “They were working something like 60, 70, 80 hours a week. I was so afraid that they would be upset. But so many of our customers came in and thanked our employees for being there and being open. 

“You could tell their chest is poked out with pride, and we didn’t have a single complaint from a single employee. They felt that they were having a chance to do the most important thing they’d ever done in their life.”

Garrett then spoke to the experience his Garrett Foods’ stores had with COVID-19. 

“Our people were able to come together at that point. And they gave their all,” he said. “They gave more than what we could have asked for. We were right there with them all day long because those times when we’d be open, we’d just get completely rushed.

“They did everything we knew to do – everything we could do – to keep our people safe and still serve and still be there. But our people stood up. People stayed on even when I knew they wanted to go home. We’d even have to do second shifts on some of those days just to be able to work the trucks when the store closed. 

“That is just one of those times I really feel proud to have people actually stand up when there’s all these struggles.”

Marino shared some of his family’s history, including his grandfather opening a grocery business in 1925. He likened that family to being part of the Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distribution Center. Until recently, Marino’s stores had been supplied by another company. 

“I’m thankful that we’ve got people with parentage and history that we can bounce things off of,” he said. “All of us retailers in this business. When I look at business and people say, ‘I hope this happens. I hope that happens.’ Hope is not a strategy. You’ve got to have a plan. 

“My plan was to stay with [previous supplier]…when my son, AJ, came into the business, he said, ‘Dad we’re moving.’ I asked him where we’re moving to. He said he was planning on interviewing all the warehouses. 

“We put one store in Piggly Wiggly, and we saw that it was one of the best. We wanted to feel them out and compare the programs. But not long after that, we put our stores in and that’s where I see them staying. 

“In business, you’ve got ups and downs. Our store is no different. But our warehouse, Piggly Wiggly, is well run and it comes from the top down. Jerry McCann, we call him the Energizer Bunny. I’ve got enough energy in my legs, but Jerry McCann has got more. You’ve got to have good leadership and Jerry McCann brings the best.”

McCann expounded on the culture of the warehouse. 

“What we preach at the warehouse all the time, ‘It’s not us and they.’ That’s how we make it work,” he said. “Without these folks, we wouldn’t be here. 

“We’ve got really good people who are our customers and also our friends. We’re all in this together and we all push hard to make sure our customers are well serviced.”

Keith Milligan echoed those sentiments and reiterated his stance on The Pig.

“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, changing our business to the Piggly Wiggly warehouse is the best thing that we’ve ever done,” he said.

“I feel like the warehouse here is part of our business. It’s not the retailers versus the wholesalers trying to work to take advantage of each other. We’re working together as one group, and this is just another part of our business.”

McDaniel agreed, describing the relationship as “so much like a family.”

“I can pick up the phone and call Jerry any time of the day or night, seven days a week, and he’s going to answer that phone. He’s going to take the call and talk to me. I don’t feel like I’m called the president of the warehouse. I’m calling somebody that’s a friend. We’re partners in a business and their success has been our success. 

“We’ve looked [around], even in the past few years, and I am certain that [PWADC] is the best fit to give our customers the best value every day. The service levels are great. I know the drivers by name…[loads] are on time. They’ve done a good job.”

For more information, visit pwadc.net.

The post Retailers Relish Family Feel Of Doing Business With Piggly Wiggly Alabama appeared first on Shelby Report.

“I said, ‘You know what? I miss the grocery business.’ I enjoyed it a lot,” he said. “I really liked what I was doing. I liked everything about it. So, I went back to the Piggly Wiggly, got a job and the rest is kind of history.”

He has worked with Piggly Wiggly Carolina, now known as Piggly Wiggly Southeast, since the family-owned business’ purchase by C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC (C&S) in 2014. Piggly Wiggly Carolina had been facing some financial difficulties. That’s when Willard decided to become an owner.

“I approached Piggly Wiggly about selling some stores to me and I was able to secure some funding, because I didn’t have that kind of money,” he said. “And the short story is – it worked out.”

Willard began the ownership portion of his career with six Piggly Wigglys, doing business as Lowcountry Grocers. He’s since added eight more, with all 14 in South Carolina.

According to Willard, the move from managing to owning stores wasn’t “as bad as you might think.” He said he’s handled just about anything in the store. He got his first leadership position in 1992, when he became a corporate assistant store manager. He continued to run stores on a day-to-day basis for nine years. 

In 2001, he became a district manager, supervising about 13 company-owned stores through Piggly Wiggly Carolina. By 2006, he was director of operations, with oversight of all retail locations for Piggly Wiggly Carolina. At the time, that was 86 stores. 

“When I transitioned to ownership, I was already very confident and comfortable doing the day-to-day and operating a grocery store. What I had to adjust to was being an owner,” Willard said. 

“Structuring and managing healthcare policies, 401(k), rent negotiations and leases, managing cash flow. The list is long,” he said. “I had to adjust and learn from an owner’s point of view. But even some of that – with the experience I had – wasn’t as difficult as you might think,” Willard explained. 

He added that the change would have been much more difficult were it not for the help of an experienced team of managers and workers. He knew them all quite well. And over the years, he’s learned to adapt. 

“I’ve had to delegate more and also trust the team a little more,” said Willard, adding that involves communication and making sure “everybody is on the same page. I’m not able to put my hands in it as it once was.”

Willard likes to touch base with all his stores, visiting one nearly every day of the week. He likes to know their ins and outs. 

He also said his management style has evolved. At one point in his career, he would use store walks to point out what needed to be fixed or improved from a technical aspect. “Now, it’s how can I help? How can I assist? What do you have that I can help you with? What are your needs?” 

Being part of the team is most important to him. Willard’s operational background allows him to see his stores “in the bigger picture.” Overall issues, trends or practices are consistently shared. The team’s coordination skills have been put to the test with ongoing store remodels. Two have been completed and a “major remodel” of Willard’s store in Florence, South Carolina, is well under way. He has plans to continue the upgrades well into 2024.

For more information, visit thepig.net or cswg.com.

To read more from Piggly Wiggly Southeast by The Shelby Report, click here.

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