Worsley Going with Davenport

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Worsley Cos. Inc. said it has reached a deal with J.T. Davenport & Sons, a Sanford, N.C.-based convenience store distributor, to serve as its exclusive grocery wholesaler for all retail locations. The deal is expected to close in October.

The agreement, once completed, would end Worsley's long relationship with McLane Co. Inc. "We had seven great years with McLane as we grew together in the Carolinas," said Rich Mione, vice president of marketing for Worsley Cos., which operates more than 150 units branded Scotchman and Young's Food Stores. "McLane has been and will continue to be a major force in the convenience store business in the United States. I personally have worked with the McLane Co. for over 19 years and have built many friendships and longterm relationships.

"As we move our business forward, we are extremely excited to partner with J.T. Davenport," he continued. "We feel that the similarities and goals of our two companies will allow us to grow sales and meet our marketing needs more effectively."

Davenport and Worsley are both family-owned North Carolina companies with a true passion for the convenience store business. "Mark Davenport and the Davenport team have made great strides in developing their company to become innovative, creative and sales-driven," Mione said. "With gasoline margins eroding and the competitive pressures that we face it's important that we identified a solid direction and roadmap with a partner that can assist us in growing our sales and profits. The Worsley companies believe that JT Davenport can and will assist us in meeting these objectives."

J. T. Davenport serves a six-state area in the Southeast.

Mione said Worsley would work with all of its supplier partners to ensure the shift in grocery distributors is seamless and doesn't disrupt sales at the store level.
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds