AG New England Sales Up 20%

PEMBROKE, N.H. — Associated Grocers of New England here on Thursday said sales for the recently ended fiscal year totaled $458 million, up about 20% over the preceding year.

The cooperatively owned wholesaler said its returns to members also increased by “almost $1 million,” to $5.78 million. It attributed the increases in part to business picked up following the closure of Associated Grocers of Maine last year, and also to sales gains at individual member stores.

The sales were a record high for the wholesaler, which supplies more than 600 individual stores across New England and in upstate New York. It released the updated sales figures in connection with its annual meeting, which was held last month.

AG New England also said it has launched new TV ads promoting the Shurfine private label and its independent supermarket members.