Today, grocery chains are within reach of most Americans, either via a short drive or, increasingly, a short walk from home. Unsurprisingly, the business of groceries has consolidated over the years, with corporations gobbling up competitors as fast as they can. (After all, it’s often said that “the business of America is business.”)
There may be fewer choices when it comes to supermarkets, but they still have to put their best foot forward to entice an increasingly choosy — and health-conscious — public. While supporting your local independent grocer is always encouraged, you’re here to learn about the biggest grocery chains in the country, ranked by annual revenue.
What Makes Save A Lot So Popular
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Bill Moran had a simple idea: What if he could draw some business away from the big boys on the grocery block? Accordingly, he threw open the doors of his first Save A Lot in Cahokia, Illinois, in 1977, and by the time he retired in 2006, well, his little gamble had paid off handsomely.
Today, Save A Lot is the corporate parent (or “business daddy,” as John Oliver likes to say) to such recognizable grocery brands as Piggly Wiggly, Big Star and Mad Butcher — the latter possibly run by the Mad Hatter’s brother or something.
What Makes Meijer So Popular
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If you’re in the Midwest, you likely have shopped rather recently at the family-owned Meijer chain of grocery stores. Dutch immigrant Hendrik Meijer opened up his first store in Greenville, Michigan, during the Great Depression, and today, the chain operates over 250 locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
Meijer is a perfect spot to stock up on party foods — especially if you’re craving two dozen hot dog buns at 2 a.m., as many of its locations are open 24 hours. Hendrik Meijer would be proud of you.
What Makes ALDI So Popular
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I couldn’t make this up if I tried, but Essen, ALDI’s home base in Germany, literally translates to “eat” in English. If that’s not a good omen, I don’t know what is. ALDI is doing just fine on both sides of the Atlantic, with operations here in America performing swimmingly.
Because those Germans are world-famous for their various chocolates, it’s not surprising that their U.S. outposts stock up on sugary sweetness, with the Schogetten brand always available in the candy aisle. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Ich esse Schokolade (“I am eating chocolate”).
