By George Anderson
With the sale of two distribution centers in Lima, Ohio, and Westville, Ind. to Nash Finch, Roundy's has come closer to putting itself out of the wholesale grocery business.
"It almost completes it," consultant and RetailWire BrainTrust member David Livingston told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The only wholesale that they've got left is in Wisconsin."
Robert Mariano, chairman and chief executive officer of Roundy's, said in a released statement that the sale of the two distribution centers was "consistent with our strategy of focusing on and growing our retail operations, and to concentrate on our independent distribution business in the upper Midwest."
With the sale, Roundy's will now focus on distributing products to its own stores operating under the Pick 'n Save, Copps and Rainbow Foods' banners. It will also continue to serve independent retailers in the Upper Midwest.
"Our remaining Wisconsin based distribution centers, including our new 1.1 million square foot facility in Oconomowoc will efficiently service our company-owned stores and independent customers located primarily in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois where we continue to expand our presence," said Mr. Mariano.
Moderator's Comment: Is Roundy's headed in the right direction? What does this sale say about the state of grocery wholesaling in the U.S.? - George Anderson - Moderator