2020 Outstanding Independents: Faster, Fresher and More Localized

Trig’s is one of 18 winners of Progressive Grocer’s 2020 Outstanding Independent Awards. Most U.S. consumers buy their groceries at larger food retailers and grocery chains. Each February, however, PG honors small independents such as Trig’s, which is thriving by offering the “anti-supermarket”experience that many consumers increasingly are looking for today.

This new breed of consumer, especially those of the younger generations, wants stores that are faster in offering things such as hot — and frequently vegan or organic — grab-and-go meals. They want stores with fresher, higher-quality produce, meat and plant-based food offerings. And they want stores that are more “local,” that serve as meeting places in their communities where one can find products and service that are personalized right down to the ZIP code. All of these features provide these Outstanding Independents with a level of innovative differentiation not found at most supermarkets or online grocers.

In fact, as you’ll see from this year’s Outstanding Independent Award honorees, some of the deepest transformation in the grocery industry is happening at the independent level, in both cities and small towns, where innovative indie food retailers are leveraging the grocery aisle to serve a wider range of consumers, from the socially conscious to those living in underserved economic communities.

Of course, the qualities of being nimble, adaptable and personalized can all be leveraged in any size grocer to generate sales growth. But these Outstanding Independents are hitting the mark by staying ahead of consumer trends, and their momentum shows no sign of stopping.

Congratulations to an inspiring group of Outstanding Independents! Read more about each one: