Area Sentry Foods store owner hopeful of brand in tough market
WALWORTH COUNTY — At its peak, when it was owned by Fleming Cos, Sentry Foods had 70 stores in Wisconsin, but now that number has dropped to 22, and area store owners are watching how Sentry’s current supplier and franchiser responds, according to a story in The Business Journal.
The story noted Terry Daniels—who owns Daniels Foods Sentry stores in Walworth, Elkhorn, Whitewater and Janesville—has a good relationship with Sentry’s franchiser, Minnesota-based Supervalu and wants to keep the Sentry brand. Daniels said store staff can offer a more personal relationship with customers than many bigger chains.
But the bankruptcy of Sentry's former corporate owner Flemings hurt the brand, one grocery store market analyst said.
Since Supervalu took over in 2003, it has seen Sentry stores struggle in a competitive grocery market that includes large national grocers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and expanding local chains like Woodman’s Markets.
Supervalu officials say Sentry can still make inroads in small towns with its personalized service.
For the complete story, see the Aug. 10 print edition of The Business Journal.
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