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Hy-Vee set to expand into new states

Stores reportedly to open in Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky

Russell Redman

January 3, 2022

2 Min Read
Hy-Vee Maplewood MN store-banner closeup.jpg
Hy-Vee is hatching plans to enter four new states: Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky, according to published reports.Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee has confirmed plans to open stores in at least three new states.

Just before the New Year’s holiday, Hy-Vee had sent out a press invitation in connection with “news about us coming to several new states.” Though not providing details about the expansion, the invitation listed events this week at hotels in Indianapolis; Louisville, Ky.; and Nashville, Tenn., with the opportunity to speak with the retailer’s leadership team, including Chairman and CEO Randy Edeker.

On Monday, however, the West Des Moines, Iowa-based company said it was postponing the “media tour” due to the nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases. A new timetable for the events is upcoming. A company spokeswoman declined to give details about the planned expansion at this time.

Currently, Hy-Vee operates more than 285 food and drug stores under a range of formats in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The retailer generates annual sales of over $12 billion.

Last month, the Des Moines Register reported that Hy-Vee plans to build a new distribution center to supply seven new stores in Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky opening in 2023. Those locations are part of more than 20 new stores slated to open over the next four years, according to the report.

Related:Hy-Vee goes live with pair of new ship-to-home websites

New locations include four new stores in Tennessee (two in the Nashville area and one apiece in Knoxville and Memphis) and one each in in Huntsville, Ala.; Louisville, Ky.; and Indianapolis, the Des Moines Register said. The expansion would extend Hy-Vee’s market area from states on the Canadian border (Minnesota) to the Gulf Coast (Alabama) as well as stretch the retailer’s footprint into the Southeast.

Hy-Vee introduces retail security team

In other news, Hy-Vee has begun deploying its new Hy-Vee Retail Security team at stores across its eight-state market area.

The Midwestern grocer said the Hy-Vee Retail Security officers will be present in Hy-Vee stores during operating hours and are specially trained to “defuse situations” and equipped to protect the safety of Hy-Vee customers and employees. Many of the officers come from a law enforcement background, and in joining the team they have undergone training designed by Hy-Vee retail security leaders alongside law enforcement partners, the retailer noted.

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Hy-Vee Retail Security Team officers are in several stores now, and more officers are completing training program so they can be deployed to other locations.

Officers are in several stores now, and more officers are completing the Hy-Vee Retail Security training program so they can be deployed to other stores “in the near future,” according to Hy-Vee.

“Hy-Vee has a strong history of doing anything for our customers, and these officers will be held to that same standard,” commented Jeremy Gosch, president and chief operating officer at Hy-Vee. “These officers will help provide another layer of safety and security for our customers and will work alongside our store employees to deliver the same helpful smiles and outstanding service everyone expects at their local store.”

Related:Hy-Vee promotes Jeremy Gosch to president in leadership succession

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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