SpartanNash Completes Gordy’s Markets Transition

SpartanNash Company recently completed the successful transition of its newest independent customer, Gordy’s Market. The family-owned and operated independent retailer operates 26 retail grocery stores in the central Wisconsin area, where the company has been headquartered for 50 years.

“The process of bringing Gordy’s Market into the SpartanNash family was an exercise in teamwork and accountability, and we couldn’t be happier with the successful completion of this undertaking,” says Derek Jones, executive vice president and president of wholesale and distribution operations. “More than 300 SpartanNash associates came together to make this transition as smooth as possible, from human resources to buying and replenishment to IT to sales and marketing and everywhere in between.”

The conversion of Gordy’s Market locations also resulted in the creation of 50 additional jobs for the company.

The transition of service began in February, with all stores being fully supplied by SpartanNash by the beginning of May. During the three months, the company: hired 50 new associates for distribution centers in St. Cloud and Sioux Falls, N.D.; added 2,600 stock keeping units (SKUs), which will also expand specialty, natural and organic and regional brand offerings for other SpartanNash owned and independent customers’ stores; and set and retagged all Gordy’s Market locations to personalize the national brand and SpartanNash private brand offerings.

“The conversion went amazingly well,” says Jeff Schafer, president of Gordy’s Market. “The commitment from everyone involved at SpartanNash to make it go as seamlessly as possible was impressive.”