KeHE Distributors has been selected as the new primary distributor partner for Iselin, New Jersey-based Allegiance Retail Services and will be providing support for the company’s member needs through data-driven information, store-level operational excellence, superior sales and promotional growth marketing.
Allegiance Retail Services provides independent supermarkets customized retail services to enhance their success. With natural, organic and specialty business seeing steady growth amongst consumers over the last several years, ARS has focused efforts on these categories, believing shoppers will continue to increase their purchasing of better-for-you products as they move toward healthier lifestyles.
With this focus, the organization has set out a strategic plan to grow this area of the business, including a new partnership with next-generation distributor, KeHE.
“We are confident that KeHE can serve Allegiance Retail Service members with excellent service, value and industry expertise,” said Jennifer Mihajlov, VP of Northeast, Southeast and Midwest independent sales at KeHE. “We are like-minded companies that share a commitment to optimizing the success of the independent grocer with first-to-market, highly-focused assortment, evolutionary marketing and merchandising expertise while maintaining individual banner identity.”
With this new partnership, Allegiance Retail Services, a co-op serving communities through more than 100 stores and 28 members in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, will open doors to an expanded product portfolio for its independent supermarket members at a significantly reduced cost.
The co-op, which supports banners such as Foodtown, Gristedes, D’Agostino’s, Brooklyn Harvest and Green Way, will not only develop a partnership with suppliers who are singularly focused on natural, organic and specialty business through KeHE but will also receive proactive and data-driven support from the distributor.
“We are excited to pursue this partnership with KeHE Distributors,” said Mike Conese, VP of center store for Allegiance Retail Services. “Allegiance Retail Services chose to work with the leading distributor in natural, organic, specialty and fresh products because of their profound understanding of this business segment, deep knowledge of independent retail stores and expertise in trend analysis, which we believe will help us better serve our members.”
As one of the largest and most respected distributors focused on natural, organic, specialty and fresh products, KeHE is dedicated to supporting Allegiance Retail Services’ goal of elevating its product selection to its members.
Allegiance Retail Services supports independent supermarkets for retail success by providing them with marketing, advertising, technological and merchandising support, as well as a full line of private label products, including Foodtown, Green Way and Rancher’s Legend.
For more information, visit allegianceretailservices.
