KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Associated Wholesale Grocers here topped the $3 billion sales mark in 1996 -- the first time in its 70-year history.
f the $3.096 billion total sales, or 2.39% of qualifying sales, was returned in member patronage.
The company said fiscal 1996, which ended Dec. 26, also saw completion of a $20 million expansion of its Kansas City warehouse freezer.
The freezer, which now measures 150,000 square feet, brings AWG's distribution center up to approximately 1 million square feet. Combined, AWG now has more than 2.3 million square feet of warehouse space, the company said.
AWG also said 1996 was significant in that it was the first full year of operation for its Valu Merchandisers Co. and AWG's Oklahoma City division. VMC realized sales of some $112 million and is servicing more than 670 stores. VMC will concentrate on seasonal sales and in-store promotions in 1997, AWG said. In the Oklahoma City division, AWG saved more than $300,000 by consolidating outside warehousing, the company said.
