EXCLUSIVEBRANDSOURCING RETAILER/WHOLESALER ...

EB skus: 33,000 (approximate)
Profile: Topco began as a small cooperative in 1944, supplying its independent food retailer
members with dairy products and paper goods, which were in short supply during WWII. The coop
merged with Top Frost Foods in the early 1950s. On October 29, 2001,Topco Associates, Inc.
joined with Shurfine International, Inc., Northlake, IL, to announce that the latter firm would be
merged into Topco, forming a new company, Topco Associates LLC. Effective in November of
that year, all operations were to be conducted through Topco, while the existing companies, Topco
Associates Inc. and Shurfine International, Inc. became holding companies, initially with 85.7%
and 14.3% ownership interests, respectively. The co-op initially relied on the Food Club private
label to carry its business. Over the years, through expansion, Topco developed alternative labels
at different quality levels to prevent marketing conflicts and maintain brand exclusivity for its
customers. Its Kingston label served as an alternative to the Food Club label. In secondary quality,
the Mega label was developed to complement the ValuTime label. In the late 1980s, health-andbeauty-care
products were added, making Topco “the largest source of store brand and private
label health and beauty care products in the US,” supplying more than 7,000 items to its
membership. Shurfine International began as a cooperative in 1948, serving primarily food
distributors, who were cooperatives. In the mid-1980s voluntary wholesalers were added and more
recently supermarket chains, foodservice distributors and other customers. In 2010, Topco
reported that Amber Pharmacy, Omaha, NB, and The Grocers Supply Co., Inc., Houston, TX,
joined , In 2012, Topco added two new members; Associated Food Stores, Salt Lake City, UT; ;
while Houston-based McLane Global began participating in Topco’s Frozen, Dairy/Bakery,
HBC/GM and Not-for-Resale programs. McLane, which is an international trading group and
global sourcing and logistics company, plans to develop its Lady Liberty food brand as well as its
not-for-resale products and services through Topco. Over this decade, Topco has expanded its own
brand offering: In 2001, its Full Circle range of natural and organic products. Followed in 2002,
with Dining In ready meals range, covering frozen entrees/pizzas, refrigerated meats/pasta and
sauce dinners/barbecue items, etc. Topco more recently has been busy with other innovative
extensions, such as adding Paw’s Professional and Paw’s Premium pet foods to its Pet Club range.
Its old World Classic brand has been recast as World Classics Trading Company, featuring
products from around the world; and Power One (ultra laundry detergent). A selection of so-called
X-brands: Academix (school and office supplies), Easyclix (disposable cameras, film, photo
paper), Domestix (cleaning and household nonfood items), and Electrix (batteries, light bulbs, and
electrical supplies).
Procurement Contacts: Procurement Contacts: Frank Muschetto, Executive VP & Chief
Procurement Officer (Corporate Brands & Perishables); Jeff Posner, Executive Vice-President &
Chief Procurement Officer; Dennis Dangerfield, VP Groceryl alue-Added Purchasing; Maryruth
Wilson, VP Brand & Product Innovation; Christine Heffernan, Food Club Brand Manager;
Christine Hefferman, Brand Manager of Topco brands (its largest brand)--a new post.
TOYS “R” US, INC.
One Geoffrey Way, Wayne, NJ 07470-2030 USA
Tel: (973) 617-3500