Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News

AWG Reports $293M Patronage Distribution During Annual Meeting

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) distributed a record $293.1 million in year-end patronage during its Annual Shareholders Meeting, capping a fiscal year in which the cooperative reported net sales of $11.6 billion and consolidated company sales of $12.2 billion – up 0.63 percent and 0.91 percent, respectively, on a comparable basis. The total distribution of cooperative […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, News, Southeast

AWG Invests $110M To Automate Gulf Coast Distribution Center

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) will invest $110 million to modernize its Gulf Coast Division Support Center in Pearl River, Louisiana, installing advanced automation in the facility’s ambient section to improve order accuracy and service reliability for independent grocery retailers across the Southeast. Construction begins in January, with automation installation in April 2027 and full operations […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News

AWG Celebrates 100th Anniversary At 2026 Innovation Showcase

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) launched its centennial celebration during its 2026 Innovation Showcase, marking 100 years since independent retailers united in 1926 to compete against the growing power of chain stores. Today, the cooperative serves 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations across 33 states, making it the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler. The Innovation Showcase […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Anniversary Issues, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Feature, Featured News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year

AWG’s Cooperative Strength Positions Independent Grocers For Future

As Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, the cooperative is reflecting on a century defined by independent spirit, shared success and an unwavering commitment to its members – while keeping its focus firmly on what comes next. Founded in 1926 by a group of independent grocers who believed they were stronger […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News

AWG Rolls Out SmartMeals AI Shopping Assistant

Associated Wholesale Grocers‘ (AWG) SmartMeals, its artificial intelligence-powered meal planning and shopping assistant built in partnership with Breez AI Corporation, has moved from pilot to wide-scale deployment across its member network. Nearly 100 AWG member stores are now onboarded, with 85 stores going live in January and additional rollouts under way. The announcement comes as […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News

AWG Brands Adds 63 New Products In Q1 2026

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is rolling out 63 new private brand items across its Best Choice, Superior Selections by Best Choice, Tippy Toes, TopCare and Simply Done lines in the first quarter of 2026, with products hitting shelves throughout the quarter. The expansion spans food, wellness and household categories, with a notable debut: four Tippy […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News

AWG’s Save-A-Label Program Directs $106K To Nonprofits In 2025

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.’s (AWG) Save-A-Label program contributed $106,508 to nonprofits and schools in 2025, supporting 997 organizations across a 17-state footprint. The program, which has run since 1987, converts UPC labels from AWG’s Best Choice Family of Brands into direct cash donations for qualifying organizations. How the program works Shoppers collect UPC labels from […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor News

AWG Selects RELEX For AI-Driven Forecasting Across 3.5K Stores

Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has selected RELEX Solutions to optimize distribution center forecasting and replenishment across its network of 3,500 member locations. AWG will implement the RELEX artificial intelligence-driven forecasting and replenishment solution to replace its legacy in-house proprietary systems and manual processes. The platform will deliver scalability and automation to improve forecasting […]