EXCLUSIVEBRANDSOURCING RETAILER/WHOLESALER ...

Total 2010 Sales: $700 Million+
Percentage of Sales in Exclusive Brands: 100%
Principal Business: This firm was organized in 1934 as a grocery wholesaler (Pacific Mercantile
Corp.) by a group of retailers. It has since evolved into a full-service private label procurement
and marketing company, distributing its products through wholesale grocers, who in turn supply
some 3,500 stores in up to 30 states as well as to export markets (primarily Pacific Rim countries).
Its product mix includes: canned and frozen fruits, vegetables and juices, condiments and sauces,
baking needs and mixes, cleaning aids and household supplies, paper products, health and beauty
care, general merchandise, deli meats and cheeses, dried beans and pasta, jams, jellies, syrups, oils
and shortenings, frozen dinners, canned fish and meats.
EB Identities: Western Family (2,500 SKUs), Shurfine (2,000 SKUs), and 1,500 SKUs in
secondary brands. Other identities include: Better Buy, Market Choice, Shur Savings (all
secondary labels), plus the new Distinct Selection (upscale foods). Its Shurfine brand is not
connected with the Shurfine brand of Topco Associates (also listed in this database), but is partly
owned by the Shurfine Eastern Corp., managed by Western Family, which extends its Shurfine
program to states beyond its eastern marketing region.
EB skus: 6,000+
Profile: From basically a regional operation in the Pacific Northwest, Western Family has grown
to a distribution network, across the US (from Washington, to California, to Texas, to California,
to Alaska and Hawaii). It also distributes to Asia and Europe. Its stock covers 6,000+ items for
export under such names as: Western Family, Shurfine, Better Buy, Shur Savings, and Market
Choice. It now exports to the Pacific Rim countries, Mexico, South America, and the Middle East.
The company represents 11 wholesaler associates active on both coasts of the US, among them,
Associated Food Stores (also in this database), Salt Lake City, UT, which owns about 20% of
Western Family.
Procurement Contacts: Charlie Rotta, Group Vice-President-International(e-mail:
crotta@westernfamily.com); Bob Cutler, Sr. VP Procurement; Steen Hauke, VP of Sales; Dick
Gardiner, VP Marketing; Dave Hayden, Sr. VP, Sales/Marketing
WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.
550 Bowie St., Austin, TX 78703 USA
Tel: (512) 542-0405
Fax: (512) 482-7405