IGA Celebrates USA Retailers of the Year, Innovators, & Partners

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) honored a host of members and partners from across the globe at events during The NGA Show on Sunday, February 26 and Monday, February 27, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

IGA presented innovation awards to independent grocery retailers, manufacturing and service provider partners, and licensed distribution centers (LDC), which highlighted a range of best practices and innovations, including excelling in digital marketing and community engagement and fresh food innovations.

“Whenever you’re out in this job and you bump into someone that’s doing something cool or fun, in that moment you say, ‘I would love to be able to recognize what you’re doing,” IGA CEO John Ross said of these winners. “Because it’s not just an award for what they did; it’s an opportunity to be recognized publicly.”

They also presented IGA USA Retailer of the Year awards to eight retailers for their exemplary work in the grocery industry over the past year. Keep reading for a list of winners and watch their award presentations and acceptances.

IGA USA Retailers of the Year

Each of these U.S. Retailers of the Year were put forward by their wholesalers as their top retailers. "These are the best of the best of the 30,000 independent retailers in the United States," IGA Chairman Mark Batenic said at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony, held Monday, February 27, 2023 at Area 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

These Retailers of the Year received additional awards for their outstanding service, and were welcomed to the stage by Batenic and IGA CEO John Ross. Watch the awards presentations and acceptances in the videos below and catch a glimpse of the colorful, vibrant room filled with 360° video projection mapping.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Culture Leadership Award | Joe Campos | Kingstree IGA
This award commemorates Campos as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes his leadership in developing a supportive and thriving culture in his store.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Quality and Value Award | Tate Cox | Cox Foods IGA
This award commemorates Cox as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes his store’s excellence in quality and value.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Ricky St. John Taking Care of People Award | John Hallinan | The Richmond Shops IGA
This award commemorates Hallinan as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes him and his team for excellence in taking care of people in his store and community.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Thomas S. Haggai Hometown Proud Award | Rich & Darlene Hoffman | Sky Plaza IGA
This award commemorates the Hoffmans as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes their Hometown Proud commitment to community.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Innovation Award | Paul, Mike, & Tim Matovich | Columbus IGA Plus
This award commemorates them as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes their store’s commitment to innovation.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Produce Innovation Award | Jimmy Perkins & Jasper IGA Team | Hometown IGA
This award commemorates Perkins as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes his store’s excellence in produce innovation.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & Thomas C. Spires Local Leadership Award | Mike & Sharlene Spires | Spires IGA Supermarket
This award commemorates the Spires as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes their commitment to local leadership.

IGA USA Retailer of the Year & People Development Award | Tyler Trask & Tanya Murray | Granite Falls IGA
This award commemorates Trask and Murray as one of the top independent grocers in the U.S. for 2023 and recognizes their excellence in people development.

IGA Awards of Excellence

The extraordinary work and ethos of the following awards recipients set them apart and raised the bar for what makes an extraordinary partner. Watch the videos for highlights and even a standing ovation from the crowd of over 300 people.

Spirit of IGA Award | Gwen Christon | Isom IGA | Isom, Kentucky
For her resilience to feed her community after her store was devastated by Kentucky floods last year and her determination to reopen to further serve the community.

Licensed Distribution Center of the Year | Ira Higdon Grocery Company | Cairo, Georgia
For demonstrating true leadership and innovation in the advancement of the IGA brands and its retailers.

Red Oval Partner of the Year Award | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Irving, Texas
For setting an exemplary role as a dedicated partner to IGA through their baby aisle redesign collaboration that helps retailers recapture baby category sales.

IGA Innovation Awards

These retailers received awards on Sunday, February 26 at the IGA Opening Reception and Monday, February 27 at the Awards of Excellence Ceremony for their dedication to innovation that propels their businesses forward and enables them to give back to their shoppers and communities. Scroll the bottom of the page for a photo gallery of the winners.

ADvay Partnership Award | AR Marketing & Redner’s Markets | Findlay, Ohio & Reading, Pennsylvania
For creating a more effective and efficient advertising plan for Redner’s stores through a partnership with ADvay Media Group.

ADvay 360° Analytics Insight Award | Spires IGA Market & Ira Higdon Grocery Company | Lake Butler, Florida & Cairo, Georgia
For their commitment to using data and analytics to learn about the marketplace improve customer experience.

ADvay 360° Analytics Insight Award | WalterMart | Quezon City, Philippines
For their commitment to using data and analytics to learn about the marketplace and improve customer experience.

Digital Media Pioneer Award | Geissler’s Supermarkets | Bloomfield, Connecticut
For excellence in digital advertising optimization through the IGA Retail Media Network.

Digital Media Pioneer Award | Young’s Payless IGA | Lockeford, California
For excellence in digital advertising optimization through IGA’s local digital ad platform.

Fresh Food Innovation Award | Jones & Co. Grocer | Queensland, Australia
For their ongoing commitment to provide shoppers with the best in fresh, local foods.

Social Media Award | Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market | Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
For their excellence in social media engagement and innovative shopper campaigns.

Local Equals Fresh Award | Hollister Supermarket IGA | Hollister, California
For their commitment to advancing the power of local through Local Equals Fresh marketing and merchandising.

Sustainability Award | Strack & Van Til | Highland, Indiana
For their trailblazing commitment to sustainable operations in grocery.

Growers Association Award | Laurel Grocery Company | London, Kentucky
For the commitment to produce marketing and merchandising through IGA’s first growers association advertising campaign.

Community Giving Award | Ritchies IGA | Carrum Downs, Australia
For their ongoing commitment to giving back to the local communities served through its Community Benefit Program.

Giving Back Award | Bozzuto’s Inc. | Cheshire, Connecticut
For their ongoing commitment to raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

Entrepreneurial Growth & Development Award | UMS/Unitrade South Africa | Johannesburg, South Africa
For their ongoing commitment to ensure independent grocers continue to grow and thrive.