The Save Mart Companies Named Progressive Grocer’s 2025 Retailer of the Year for Bold Transformation Rooted in Neighborhood Values
MODESTO, Calif. – December 15, 2025 – The Save Mart Companies, a West Coast regional grocer powered by associates who have served their neighborhoods for decades, has been named 2025 Retailer of the Year by Progressive Grocer, a leading national retail food publication. The recognition comes at a pivotal moment for the company—one where it is returning to its foundational purpose as a neighborhood grocer while transforming how it operates across price, merchandising, digital, formats, supply chain, and culture.
“This award reflects both who we are and where we’re headed,” said Jim Perkins, President of The Save Mart Companies. “We’re getting back to what we’ve always been—a neighborhood grocer—while transforming how we operate to serve our customers even better. I want to thank our outstanding associates for the work they do every day to make our stores a welcome shopping environment and a pillar of the communities we serve across the West Coast.”
The honor recognizes a company that operates over 200 stores in neighborhoods across California, Western Nevada, Oregon, and Washington under the Save Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx, and Roth's and Chuck's Fresh Market banners—all while accelerating change with unusual speed and authenticity for a 70-year-old regional grocer.
Transformation Built on People and Purpose
Progressive Grocer spent the summer visiting stores across the company's banners, profiling the associates, leaders, and initiatives driving the transformation. The publication highlighted several defining elements:
People-Powered Culture: More than 30% of associates have served their communities for over 20 years, creating multigenerational teams where experience and fresh perspectives strengthen each other. Store directors are empowered to drive community investment decisions—hosting shopping sprees for hundreds of families, honoring first responders, and partnering with schools—all because they live and work in the neighborhoods they serve.
Operational and Format Innovation: The Symbotic automated warehouse system is reshaping cost structure and replenishment speed, while new formats including a Lucky + Ace Hardware co-location and the forthcoming Frankie's Bottle Shop & Bar, a premium spirits retail concept in South Lake Tahoe, demonstrate the company's commitment to reimagining neighborhood grocery.
Customer-Facing Transformation: The publication also documented the initiatives that customers experience directly, from affordability programs to digital convenience:
The "Right By You" Affordability Promise—a comprehensive 12-point program including holiday meals under $6/person, military discounts, and the Friends Feeding Friends food bank initiative with $120K in company matching funds
Price investments that reshaped customer perception and helped families navigate inflation
Digital transformation including loyalty program enhancements, a rebuilt Save Mart app, DoorDash integration, curbside pickup expansion, and Amazon Returns launching across stores
Store remodels and new openings that elevated the customer experience across banners
Category resets and expanded merchandise in beverages, multicultural foods, natural snacks, and fresh departments that better serve diverse communities
Long-Term Investment and Growth
Under the ownership of The Jim Pattison Group, one of North America's most respected private holding companies, The Save Mart Companies has the long-term stability to accelerate investments in technology, formats, loyalty, and supply chain—positioning the company for modernization and sustainable expansion.
"Everything we do has our customer in mind and our communities at the center of it all," Perkins continued. "We're honored by this recognition and know that continued growth, innovation, and connectedness are both part of our tradition and our playbook for 2026 and beyond."
About The Save Mart Companies
The Save Mart Companies operates over 200 stores in neighborhoods across California, Western Nevada, Oregon, and Washington under the Save Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx, and Roth's and Chuck's Fresh Market banners. Proud to be one of the West Coast’s largest regional, full-service grocery chains, the Company and its 11,000 associates take extra care to provide customers with the freshest food for their families at affordable prices. The Save Mart Companies’ philanthropic non-profit organization, The CARES Foundation, provides vital resources for children and families and has donated over $5 million to local communities. For more information on The Save Mart Companies, please visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com
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Media Contacts: The Save Mart Companies: TSMCPR@GlodowNead.com