Save A Lot unveils its 2022 retail partner award winners

Save A Lot recognized 12 of its retail partners at the discount grocery banner’s first-ever retail partner awards event this week, the St. Louis-based company announced on Tuesday.

Presented in St. Charles, Missouri, during Save A Lot’s annual meeting and food show for store owners and operators, the awards recognize performance in 2022 across five categories: year-over-year customer count growth; year-over-year sales growth; store managers of the year; “Hometown Hero”; and retail partner of the year.

“Our retail partners truly are the best operators in the business, and it was an honor to recognize so many different owners and operators at our annual meeting and food show,” said Save A Lot CEO Leon Bergmann in a statement. “Each one of them demonstrates commitment to their customers and the communities they serve. We’re proud to recognize them as best-in-class retailers.” 

The retail partners were divided into the following groups based on the number of stores owned: one to four stores, five to 10 stores and 11 or more  locations. The winners are as follows:

Award Winners: Customer Count Growth 

This award is given to stores with the highest year-over-year customer count growth for full year 2022. 

Award Winners: Sales Growth 

This award is given to stores with the highest year-over-year sales growth for full year 2022. 

Award Winners: Store Managers of the Year 

This award is given to store managers with outstanding performance in 2022 across numerous factors, including sales, customer service and teamwork. 

Award Winner: Hometown Hero

This award is given to a retail partner who consistently demonstrates commitment to the communities it serves and shows support for the community as well.

The 2022 Hometown Hero award was given to the Horizon Group, a 21-store operator with stores in northeastern Ohio/northwestern Pennsylvania.

“The Youngstown-based family business goes out of their way to integrate community into each store they operate,” Save A Lot said in a statement.

Horizon Group supports 30-plus local organizations that contribute to arts and culture, health and human services, civic and community projects, safety, education and the environment. The team operates a year-round “hunger bags” program, which offers a way for shoppers to directly support and donate to local hunger-related charities. “Horizon’s leadership also makes significant efforts to support store teams through consistent recognition for both work and life accomplishments,” Save A Lot added.

Award Winners: Retail Partner of the Year 

This award is given to retail partners that demonstrate outstanding results across the business on all metrics including sales, customer count, purchases as well as community involvement, team engagement and a commitment to the Save A Lot brand image. 

“Operators since 1991, husband and wife team Peter and Celeste Dawson take great pride in their beautifully remodeled store welcoming their community in to shop and supporting their team members,” Save A Lot stated. “They often sample new products for customers and are very active in many local organizations.” The Dawsons also run their own version of Bags for a Brighter holiday called “Blessing Bags” year-round, the grocer said.

“The Boris Brothers, who own and operate six stores across northern Florida, serve their communities with local products and the best meat operation in the market,” Save A Lot said in a statement. The three-generation-family-run business continues to invest in their business with four remodels and new stores to ensure continued future growth for their company and business. 

The Janes Group owns and operates 31 stores across Ohio and has established itself as one of the top operators in the Save A Lot network, the discount grocer reported. “Investing heavily into remodels and store upgrades, owner and operator Joe Janes has established himself as a strong operational leader who communicates goals and objectives consistently to his store leadership teams to drive consistent results,” Save A Lot commented.

Overall, Save A Lot's retail network includes more than 800 stores in 32 states.