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B&R acquires Heartland Foods store

Nebraska location to adopt Russ’s Market banner

Russell Redman

September 21, 2018

2 Min Read
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B&R Stores Inc. plans to buy the Heartland Foods supermarket in Beatrice, Neb.

Plans call for the acquired store to be converted to a Russ’s Market, one of Lincoln, Neb.-based B&R’s three retail banners. Financial terms of the transaction, expected to close in October, weren’t disclosed.

“Russ’s Market has been serving customers in the state of Nebraska for over 50 years,” B&R Stores President Pat Raybould said in a statement. “The cities of Lincoln, Hastings and Waverly have welcomed us, and we have worked to become a part of the fabric of the community. We look forward to expanding that same dedication and service to the community of Beatrice.”

Russ_s_Market_storefront_1_0.pngWith the acquisition, B&R will have 19 stores overall in Nebraska and Iowa. The company, founded in 1964, currently operates supermarkets under the Russ’s Market (seven stores in Nebraska), Super Saver (nine stores in Nebraska, one in Iowa) and Apple Market (one store in Nebraska) banners.

B&R, which announced the deal yesterday, said the Heartland Foods employees will be interviewed for jobs at Russ’s Market next week.

“Our goal is to retain as many employees as we can. We want to make this a smooth transition for both customers and employees,” commented Nick Kelso, district manager for Russ’s. “We are thrilled to bring the Russ’s Market family to a great, new city.”

When the sale transaction closes, Heartland Foods will operate five grocery stores and one liquor store in Kansas. The Heartland Foods ownership group has owned the Beatrice store since October 2009.

"We have really enjoyed our time in Beatrice. We're proud of the employee relationships we've built over the years, and we greatly appreciate the loyal customer following we've enjoyed,” said John Dyer, supervising co-owner. “Beatrice has proven to be a good place for us to do business."

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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