Wholesaler consolidation impacts independents

The recent acquisition of SpartanNash by C&S Wholesale Grocers is just the latest in a string of mergers that have reduced the number of wholesaler choices for independent and regional grocery retailers.The thin profit margins in the grocery distribution industry dictate that the acquired companies are often stripped down and fully absorbed into the larger entities. These larger companies might not always be ideally suited for serving all of the acquired company’s small, often family-owned, retail customers ...