COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 422410

Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

21companies1892–1961founding years21still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe Copps CorporationFoundedThe Copps Corporation
1892
FoundedNash Finch CompanyFoundedNash Finch Company
1896
FoundedBooker Cash & Carry Ltd.FoundedBooker Cash & Carry Ltd.
1900
FoundedHale-Halsell Company
1901
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedGristede's Foods Inc.FoundedGristede's Foods Inc.FoundedKoninklijke Wessanen nvFoundedKoninklijke Wessanen nv
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedSpartan Stores Inc.
1918
FoundedGeorge Weston LimitedFoundedGeorge Weston Limited
1928
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedTopco Associates LLCFoundedTopco Associates LLC
1944
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedNorthern Foods plcFoundedNorthern Foods plc
1949
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Copps Corporation →
Active · founded 1892
The Copps Corporation is one of Wisconsin's largest privately held businesses.
The Copps Corporation →
Active · founded 1892
The Copps Corporation is one of Wisconsin's largest privately held businesses.
Nash Finch Company →
Active · founded 1896
1950s:Company reenters food retailing with purchase of 17 supermarkets in Nebraska.
Nash Finch Company →
Active · founded 1896
1950s:Company reenters food retailing with purchase of 17 supermarkets in Nebraska.
Booker Cash & Carry Ltd. →
Active · founded 1900 · United Kingdom
Booker Cash & Carry Ltd.
Booker Cash & Carry Ltd. →
Active · founded 1900 · United Kingdom
Booker Cash & Carry Ltd.
Hale-Halsell Company →
Active · founded 1901
The Hale-Halsell Company has grown from its modest roots as a food supplier to settlers in newly opened Indian…
Hale-Halsell Company →
Active · founded 1901
The Hale-Halsell Company has grown from its modest roots as a food supplier to settlers in newly opened Indian…
Gristede's Foods Inc. →
Active · founded 1913
Gristede's Foods, Inc., owns and operates 46 supermarkets in the New York City metropolitan area.
Gristede's Foods Inc. →
Active · founded 1913
Gristede's Foods, Inc., owns and operates 46 supermarkets in the New York City metropolitan area.
Koninklijke Wessanen nv →
Active · founded 1913 · The Netherlands
Early 20th Century:Company exits from the cheese, seed, and grain trades and begins focusing on processed products.
Koninklijke Wessanen nv →
Active · founded 1913 · The Netherlands
Early 20th Century:Company exits from the cheese, seed, and grain trades and begins focusing on processed products.
Spartan Stores Inc. →
Active · founded 1918
Once a wholesale grocery cooperative, Spartan Stores Inc.
Spartan Stores Inc. →
Active · founded 1918
Once a wholesale grocery cooperative, Spartan Stores Inc.
George Weston Limited →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
George Weston Limited is a major Canadian food processor and distributor, with a number of operations in the United…
George Weston Limited →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
George Weston Limited is a major Canadian food processor and distributor, with a number of operations in the United…
Topco Associates LLC →
Active · founded 1944
After the agreement was finalized, Topco would have 54 members.
Topco Associates LLC →
Active · founded 1944
After the agreement was finalized, Topco would have 54 members.
Northern Foods plc →
Active · founded 1949 · United Kingdom
Northern Foods plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading manufacturers of high-quality fresh foods, supplying the…
Northern Foods plc →
Active · founded 1949 · United Kingdom
Northern Foods plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading manufacturers of high-quality fresh foods, supplying the…
Provigo Inc. →
Active · founded 1961 · Canada
Provigo Inc.
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