KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Associated Wholesale Grocers here said an increase of 225 member stores helped boost sales to record levels for the year ended Dec. 25, 2004.
Sales jumped 22.9% to $4.6 billion -- on top of an 18.5% increase in 2003, when AWG picked up former Fleming customers -- for a three-year increase of 47.7%, the company said. Patronage dividends for the year also hit an all-time high, climbing 32% to $82.1 million, for a three-year increase of 49.8%.
AWG's membership rose to 1,483 stores, operated by 500 members, during the year. The company said the increase resulted from acquisitions by AWG members of stores from larger chains, including 31 former Winn-Dixie stores by several members, and 11 newly built units.
"Because of our retail-focused programs, we've been able to attract a large number of new members as the wholesale and retail business continues to consolidate," a spokesman told SN.