AG New England Expands C-store Services

PEMBROKE, N.H. -- Associated Grocers of New England, Inc. said it has formed Associated Convenience Grocers (ACG), a new division dedicated solely to providing services to convenience retailers.

"The dynamics of convenience store retailing are different from that of supermarkets and other store formats," said Mike Bourgoine, president and c.e.o. of AG New England. "In recent years, we have significantly expanded our services and expertise to meet the specialized and changing needs of convenience retailers, and we offer what we believe is the best level of service for convenience retailers.”

Bourgoine said the expansion of its c-store business began when the wholesaler gained space and capabilities with a new distribution center opened two years ago. “Since then we have put together a highly experienced convenience retailer team with customer service counselors, category managers, and support specialists who have worked in convenience retailing for many years,” he said.

AG put Steve Felton in charge as the division general manager. "We've combined the resources and variety of a full-service supermarket supplier with the specific needs of convenience stores,” said Felton, "to provide a level of service that simply offers stores more product choices, better programs and expanded services."

Felton called c-stores today "the fastest-paced, most dynamic arena in the retail food business,” adding that the most successful players “are continually fine-tuning their product offerings as they craft their own individual store identity as an ongoing, evolving process."

AG New England is the largest retailer-owned wholesale grocery supplier in New England, serving nearly 500 independent supermarkets and convenience retailers across New England and into the upstate New York/Albany area. The company now also serves over 150 convenience stores.

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