KANSAS CITY, KS - If there was a record-breaking bell in the retail industry, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) would be ringing it. The company has announced record consolidated company sales, revealed just after its Annual Shareholders Meeting on Monday.

“Remarkably, we achieved these results while overcoming record expense escalations, supply chain infrastructure investments, upgrades to our technology platform for the future, and funding our ambitious Convergence project to align the cooperative with our member-retailers so we can perform more like a $23 billion retailer,” said David Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continually strive to achieve the right balance of investing wisely in the long term and fulfilling our member-retailers' day-to-day needs for a lower cost of goods and a predictable patronage return.”

AWG reported consolidated company sales of $10.8 billion, which is an increase of 1.68 percent on a comparable basis over 2020. The company also distributed $247 million in year-end patronage, according to a press release.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Cooperative sales were $9.8 billion, up 1.39 percent
• Total distribution of cooperative benefits returned to shareholders, including interest, allowances, and patronage, was $572.3 million
• Total members’ equity valued at $616.2 million
• Trading value of AWG stock increased to $1,440 per share, an increase of 20 percent

“While 2021 was a difficult year for many, including our member-retailers, we focused on keeping teammates safe, supporting our members with the best available product supply, and battling daily on their behalf to obtain their fair share of product and best available cost from supply partners,” explained Smith. “All of our companies faced unprecedented teammate turnover and industry-wide personnel shortages. For all those efforts and achievements in the face of adversity, we could not be prouder of our member-retailers, teammates, and those who showed us great patience and grace and helped us as we helped others.”

Budgeted investments were exceeded by $15 million, and the company invested $3 million alone to facilitate improvements necessary for a more sustainable supply chain.

“I’m proud to be a part of this cooperative and proud to see the continued strong results that we can deliver for the benefit of our member-retailers,” Barry Queen, Chairman of the Board, stated. “It gives my family and me the confidence that we’re ready for whatever comes our way and continue investing and growing. There is true strength in numbers, and AWG’s numbers continue to grow stronger and stronger.”

Congratulations to AWG on these record results!

Associated Wholesale Grocers