Celebrating 100 Years of Independent Strength at IGA

In the beginning of the the decade known in the United States as the Roaring '20s when national grocery chains began to thrive. The company that would later be known as A&P was aggressively expanding their stores nationwide. They and other companies like them had set out to replace the local hometown grocery store with cookie cutter chains, and by the middle of the decade, it looked as if they might just succeed.

It was then that J. Frank Grimes, a Chicago accountant who specialized in wholesale grocery accounts, decided it was time to act. He set out to form a union of independent grocers who would take advantage of volume buying and mass marketing, giving them the resources they needed to compete with a growing chain store presence. He spent most of 1925 traveling the country to recruit retail members while galvanizing support from manufacturers and wholesalers. His message of unity alongside of independent individuality was warmly received, and in the spring of 1926, the Independent Grocers Alliance was born.

Nearly 100 years later A&P is gone, and IGA — as a brand and as an alliance of retailer, wholesaler, and manufacturing and vendors partners — is still gong strong. Today we have more than 7,500 member stores globally, each working to serve their communities with entrepreneurial ingenuity and unwavering dedication.

In 2026, we’ll gather to celebrate those retailers, our partners, and our brand at our 100th anniversary events. Keep reading for a taste of what's coming in 2026.

Where the Celebration Begins: The NGA Show 2026

📅 February 1–3, 2026
📍 Las Vegas, Nevada

Every journey has a starting line, and ours begins in Las Vegas at The NGA Show 2026. It’s fitting that our centennial kicks off at the premier gathering of independent grocers, where innovation meets tradition.

The NGA Show, in partnership with IGA, will feature IGA-specific workshops, keynote presentations from IGA leadership, and opportunities to connect with and learn from fellow retailers and industry suppliers.

At the show, IGA and NGA will cohost the opening reception, where we will celebrate IGA's milestone anniversary and introduce our Centennial IGA USA Retailers of the Year. This remarkable group of retailers, nominated by each of our U.S. Licensed Distribution Centers (LDCs), represent the best independent retailers of the last 100 years, and this reception is the first of several events designed to honor their contribution to the industry. (Note: LDCs will receive nomination instructions in the coming days.)

Registration for The NGA Show opens soon. Stay tuned to The IGA Minute and your email for more information, including your IGA member discount code!

The Grand Celebration: The Centennial Global Rally & Awards Gala

📅 September 17-19, 2026
📍 Atlanta, Georgia

In the fall of 2026, we’ll mark IGA’s 100th anniversary with a once-in-a-lifetime celebration: The Centennial Global Rally & Awards Gala in Atlanta, Georgia.

Picture this: Hundreds of IGA members from around the world gathering together — connecting, learning, laughing, and celebrating a century of IGA excellence.

We’ll serve up inspiration and insights during engaging education sessions and a vendor showcase at Coca-Cola’s world-famous headquarters, wine and dine at an unforgettable speakeasy-themed bash, give you a glimpse of Atlanta’s retailing excellence with guided store tours, and showcase the very best of Atlanta’s rich culture and Southern hospitality with group activities throughout the city. Then we will wrap up the 3-day celebration with our IGA Centennial Awards of Excellence Gala honoring our Retailers of the Year and other global award winners at the Georgia Aquarium.

It's a milestone, a reunion, and a global party all rolled into one. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more registration and reservation information coming soon.

Be Part of History

The Independent Grocers Alliance is more than an organization, it’s a community. And that community wouldn’t exist without you. As we turn 100, we invite you to celebrate not just IGA’s legacy, but your role in it.

Together, let’s celebrate 100 years of independent strength and launch into the next 100 with pride, unity, and determination.