C&S Wholesale Grocers stands ‘well-positioned’ in Ahold deal, execs say

C&S Wholesale Grocers reiterated its support of major customer Ahold Delhaize USA as the food retailer transitions to self-distribution.

Keene, N.H.-based C&S has agreed to sell Ahold Delhaize three warehouses: two in York, Pa., and one in Chester, N.Y. The retailer also is pursuing a lease for a C&S facility in Bethlehem, Pa. The companies announced the moves yesterday.

Continuing a 30-year relationship with Ahold Delhaize USA companies, C&S said it will serve as the third-party labor provider at the York and Chester warehouses.

“C&S is uniquely positioned for the long-term,” Chairman Rick Cohen said in a statement. “We have a strong leadership team with some of the best industry veterans, an expanding footprint in key geographic areas, innovative technology solutions that enhance the consumer experience, and the most cost-efficient products and services in the market. We are confident about our future.”

On the tech solutions front, for example, C&S in September announced a partnership with Chicago-based FourKites. Using the FourKites predictive supply-chain platform, C&S sends retailers logic-based messages — called C&S Delivery Alerts — to track store deliveries in real time, including when a truck has left the warehouse, when it is about an hour away and when it has arrived. This provides customers “unprecedented visibility” into their delivery status, the distributor said.

Related:C&S Wholesale Grocers hires Miriam Ort as human resources chief

Over the summer, C&S tabbed New York-based AppCard as its new customer loyalty and digital coupons partner. C&S said AppCard’s actionable data, advanced marketing tools and sophisticated promotions and campaign engine will allow the wholesaler to help retailers create a seamless omnichannel experience by weaving loyalty programs and digital coupons into in-store kiosk, website, mobile and e-commerce platforms.

And earlier this year, C&S finalized the acquisition of Olean Wholesale Grocery Cooperative. The regional distributor served more than 270 independent food retail and convenience stores across New York, Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, supplying all major product categories as well as providing a range of retailer services.

Last week, C&S announced its expansion of operations into the Pacific Northwest with the addition of a new warehouse in Troutdale, Oren. Plans call for the state-of-the-art warehouse to open by summer 2020. C&S noted that it’s already serving several retail partners in the area with products, services and solutions.

“As the leader in our field, C&S is consistently challenging the status quo and adapting to changes in the market to help our customers win,” commented CEO Mike Duffy. “The pace of change in grocery continues to accelerate, and C&S is well-positioned to support our retail partners, bringing value and innovation to their operations. That has been our trademark for more than 100 years and continues to drive the way we work every day.”

Related:C&S Wholesale Grocers names new supply chain chief

The nation’s largest wholesale grocery supply company, C&S currently supplies more than 7,900 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with 138,000-plus products.