The History Behind IGA 100

In 1926, one accountant with a big idea changed the future of independent grocery. A century later, more than 7,500 stores around the world are still proving him right.

The Origin Story: One Man, One Idea, One Alliance

A.F. Geissler in 1923. Geissler's Supermarkets is still proudly independent since 1923!

It was 1925, and the American grocery landscape was shifting fast. National chains were aggressively expanding, flooding communities with cookie-cutter stores designed to price out and push aside the local grocer. For the independent operator, survival was far from guaranteed.

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 vendor partners — is still going strong. Today we have more than 7,500 member stores globally, each working to serve their communities with entrepreneurial ingenuity and unwavering dedication.

What a Century of Independence Looks Like

IGA has never been just a brand. It's an alliance — a living, breathing network of retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturing and vendor partners who believe that independent grocery is worth fighting for. Today, that alliance spans more than 7,500 member stores globally, each one rooted in its community and operating with entrepreneurial ingenuity.

From small-town stores that have anchored their neighborhoods for generations, to innovative urban markets solving food access challenges, IGA members share a common thread: they serve their communities with a level of care and commitment that no national chain can replicate.

That's the IGA legacy. And this September, we're celebrating it in a way that befits a once-in-a-century milestone.

Celebrating 100 Years of IGA

IGA's Centennial Awards of Excellence Gala will be held amongst marine life at the Georgia Aquarium.

The IGA Centennial isn't just a conference. It's a reunion, a celebration, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of something historic. Attendees can expect:

• World-class networking with IGA retailers, wholesalers, and partners from across the globe.
• Inspiring education sessions and peer-driven discussions that leave you energized and ready to take on new challenges.
• Unique Atlanta experiences from store tours to cultural excursions that showcase the city IGA is proud to call home for this milestone event.
• Unforgettable celebrations — from the Speakeasy Bash to the grand finale at the Georgia Aquarium.

Grimes built IGA on the belief that independent grocers are stronger together. A hundred years later, that's still the whole idea. September 17-19 is your chance to stand in that legacy — and help write what comes next.

We’ll see you in Atlanta.