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KeHE expands distribution pact with Save Mart

Wholesaler becomes primary supplier for perimeter departments

Russell Redman

October 4, 2019

2 Min Read
Save Mart_new Modesto flagship store - Copy.jpg
Save Mart

KeHE Distributors has renewed and expanded its distribution partnership with West Coast grocery retailer The Save Mart Cos.

Under the multiyear deal, KeHE will now become Save Mart’s primary distributor for perimeter categories — including fresh bakery, deli, specialty cheese and culinary products — as well as continue as the supermarket operator’s primary wholesale partner for natural, organic and specialty products. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

"We are proud of The Save Mart Cos.’ growth over the last several years, and we look forward to continuing to execute our market penetration strategy,” Save Mart Cos. Chief Merchandising Officer Trey Johnson said in a statement. “We appreciate our partnership with KeHE and are excited to continue working with their team to grow both our center-store and perimeter business.”

Save Mart Cos. operates 207 stores in California and Nevada, including 83 locations under its Save Mart banner as well as grocery stores under the Lucky, Lucky California and FoodMaxx banners. KeHE’s expanded pact with Save Mart comes as the Modesto, Calif.-based retailer is exploring new fresh and prepared food concepts in a new flagship store that also will serve as an innovation center.

“Save Mart has proven that through innovation and a focus on customers, conventional supermarkets can thrive in today’s hyper-competitive retail environment,” commented KeHE Chief Operating Officer Gene Carter. “We are delighted with the expansion of our partnership with The Save Mart Cos. and look forward to serving as a growth partner to the company for years to come.”

Related:KeHE signs MOM’s Organic Market

Naperville, Ill.-based KeHE supplies natural, organic, specialty and fresh products to natural food stores, supermarket chains, independent grocery stores and other specialty retailers across North America. Over the past couple of years, the distributor has landed some key customers.

Last month, KeHE entered into a primary distribution contract with better-for-you grocery chain MOM’s Organic Market. In June, the wholesaler was named as the primary U.S. distributor of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) cooperative, which has more than 236 members representing 385 store locations in 40 states and the District of Columbia. And in February, Albertsons Cos. renewed its supply agreement with KeHE as its primary wholesaler for natural, organic and specialty products. Last year, KeHe added online natural/organic grocer Thrive Market as a primary distribution customer and renewed its distribution pact with Sprouts Farmers Market through 2025.

Related:Albertsons, KeHe renew distribution pact

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Sprouts Farmers Market

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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