Associated Food Stores founder to retire

Harry Laufer, who founded Associated Food Stores, Hewlett, N.Y., in 1954, said he plans to retire at the end of the month. 

The wholesaler services independent operators in New York City, Upstate New York and several surrounding states. Laufer is 82.

Robert A. Sigel will succeed him as president. Most recently Sigel has been operating executive at AUA Private Equity Partners, of which Associated is a portfolio company. He started his career at Millbrook Distribution Services, a value-added distributor of health, beauty care, general merchandise and specialty food products founded by his father in Worcester, Mass. After Millbrook was sold to McKesson, he became president and CEO of McKesson’s Service Merchandising Division.

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"Associated Food Stores has a long history of providing value added services enabling independent supermarket owners to successfully grow their businesses,” said Sigel in a statement. “I look forward to working with our store owners, suppliers, and associates as we embark on our mission of expanding our services and our store concentration in the New York Metro area and beyond.”