Friedman's Switching Wholesalers to AWI

SN STAFF

BUTLER, Pa. — Friedman's Freshmarkets, a six-store retailer based here, said Thursday that it would switch primary wholesalers from Supervalu to Associated Wholesalers Inc.

The 111-year-old company said it was in the process of transitioning its business to AWI, the Robsonia, Pa.-based cooperative. Its five-year supply agreement with Supervalu, Minneapolis, expires Sept. 30.

Carole F. Bitter, president and chief executive officer of Freidman's, in a statement said the company selected AWI after considering seven potential candidates over 16 months. "We are convinced the cooperative model will work best for us, that AWI is our lowest-cost option, and the philosophy, work ethic and commitment to the independent operator at AWI best fits our needs going forward."