EXCLUSIVEBRANDSOURCING RETAILER/WHOLESALER ...

TOPCO ASSOCIATES LLC
7711 Gross Point Road, Skokie, IL 60077- 2697 USA
Tel: (847) 676-3030
Fax: (847) 673-6352
www.topco.com
Total 2010 Sales: $11.3 Billion +5.6%
Percentage of Sales in Exclusive Brands: 50% (E)
Principal Business: Topco, a privately held cooperative, provides procurement, quality assurance,
packaging and other services exclusively for its member-owners, which include independent
supermarket retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice companies, and who in total represent more
than $ 120 billion in retail sales. Total membership (including associates) now includes 53 food
industry members (as of March 2012), representing more than 8,400 stores, which carry the Topco
brands. Topco serves as a vehicle to leverage its members’ collective volume to drive down
product costs and to obtain economies of scale in support areas, enabling its members to
effectively compete against national companies. Its “corporate brands” cover Topco’s arsenal of
nearly 20 brands, spread over more than 8,000 skus and ranging through three quality tiers
(economy, mainstream, and premium), including: grocery, frozen foods, regional dairy/bakery
items, health and beauty care, general merchandise and pharmacy. Its perishable products cover
branded meats, fresh meats, produce and floral items. Additionally, the co-op provides its
members with equipment, supplies and business services, mostly national brand items. Bilingual
labels also are provided. Topco also manages its member-owned store brands, now at more than
20 brands, helping to develop their own store brands. Together, Topco oversees some 46 brands.
The Topco members (most listed in this database) include: Associated Grocers, Bashas’, Bi-Lo,
Giant Eagle, Goldbon (foodservice), Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, Piggly Wiggly, Raley’s, Save Mart,
Schnucks, Stater, Tops, UniPro Foodservice, United Supermarkets, etc.
EB Identities: Food Club, Kingston, Top Crest (grocery, nonfoods and general merchandise),
TopCare (health and beauty care), World Classics Trading Company (upscale foods from around
the world), Dining In (ready-meal solutions), Full Circle (natural and organic products),
GreenMark (environmental line), Mega (secondary economy line), ValuTime (secondary economy
line), Pet Club (pet food), Paws Professional (premium pet foods), Paw’s Premium (premium pet
food), Power 1 (detergents/cleaners), Sensibles (low-fat foods), Top Fresh (value-added produce);
Power One (premium laundry detergent), Paws (premium pet food), Clear Value. With its merger
with Shurfine International Inc., Northlake, IL in 2001, Topco also oversees some nine brand lines
(120 categories and 10,000+ skus), under such corporate brands as: Shurfine and Ultimate Choice
(both first quality labels); Shurfresh (perishable foods--bakery, frozen, dairy, meats, refrigerated
foods); Shur Tech (automotive products); and Saver’s Choice and Price Saver (both value labels),
PHARM (OTC drugs).