Guide to Grocery Distributors
June 12, 2025
Regional Distributors have better relationships, low/no fees, and can build your brand store by store.
Guide to Chicago Retailers
by Foodbevy
June 23, 2023
Chicago is the third largest metro area in the US and home to a thriving food scene. The city hosts a number of national grocery chains, regional staples, and local health food stores. Use this guide if you’re launching in Chicago to discover which retailers you should launch into first. Thanks to Tina Adolfsson and others for putting this list together.
SPONSOR: This article was written in partnership with Trax Retail . As your brand grows in retail, there comes a point when you can no longer manage how your products are showing up on shelf, if at all. Trax has a suite of merchandising services so you can make sure your product correctly shows up at retailers and sells off the shelf.
Local and Regional Retailers
(Photo: Winsight Grocery Business)
Dom's Kitchen and Market
Dom’s is Bob Mariano’s new hybrid restaurant and grocery store venture. They opened their first location in June 2021 and plan to expand to 25 locations.
Highlights:
- Different spaces and gourmet options of prepared foods and spots to eat, drink or special events.
- Local and/or specialty perishables
The Dom’s Shopper is looking for:
- The old Mariano’s gourmet experience and “pizzazz”
- Dine-in or pick up something to eat as well as pick up some great quality grocery items.
- Specialty amenities such as wine tastings, live music shows, great local product offer.
(Photo: Foursquare City Guide (Toni D)
Mariano's Fresh Market
Marianoʼs is part of the Kroger family, they have been a Chicago staple in grocery since 2010. They hold 9.8% of the Chicago market share.
Highlights:
- Full-service grocer with produce, meat, seafood, and
aisles of shelf-stable goods. - Marianoʼs offers global cuisine in a neighborhood
shopping environment where you can find imported
goods as well as locally sourced foods. - Even though they go for the gourmet deli feel, prices
are considered very accessible
The Marianoʼs Shopper is looking for:
- a spot where they can find high-quality, gourmet quick-service meals to eat in or take out.
- Specialty, and/or healthy/good-for-you products.
- They value freshness, quality, and origin over price, but they will appreciate a deal.
(Photo: Supermarket News)
Foxtrot Delivery Market
Launched in Chicago in 2014, Foxtrot is a hybrid model
that combines upscale corner stores/cafés with app-based purchasing that makes its entire curated inventory
available for delivery in under an hour.
Highlights:
- Convenient in-store shopping and local delivery in urban residential areas.
- New store formats that include on-premise dining and enhanced café menus.
- Beautiful spaces, tailored to the neighborhood, highlighting local, artisanal brands.
The Foxtrot Shopper is looking for:
- The convenience of omnichannel shopping.
- A curated inventory: gourmet, artisanal and plantbased products.
- An elevated in-store experience: aesthetically pleasing locations, gourmet prepared foods, and coffee selection.
(Photo: Winsight Grocery Business)
Patel Brothers
Born in Chicago with their 1st emblematic store in Devon Avenue, this family business has built a national brand devoted to offering the best variety of authentic regional grocery products from India and the Middle East.
Highlights:
- Largest variety of ethnic, fresh, and packaged
grocery goods from India and neighboring countries. - Full line of groceries including dry goods, frozen items
and fresh produce. - Personalized service in stores.
The Patel Brothers shopper is looking for:
- Variety and good prices for imported grocery goods.
- Nostalgic packaged goods from India.
- Everything they need to prepare Indian or Middle Eastern dishes.
(Photo: King Retail Solutions)
Jewel - Osco
Chicago born and bred, it’s the largest seller in the area
according to vault.com. Acquired by Albertsons in 2013.
Highlights:
- One-stop-shop that provides multiple services
through partnerships: bank, café, Western Union. - Known for good prices and deals in grocery items.
- Sought after by Chicagoans for its fresh offer in both
meats and produce.
The Jewel Osco Shopper is looking for:
- All they need grocery related at good prices.
- Coupons and promotions.
(Photo: Yelp (Karen W.)
City Fresh
This family business born in Chicago offers the best
variety of traditional eastern European pastries as well
as the largest selection of specialty food and beverage
products from Central and Eastern Europe and the
Mediterranean.
Highlights:
- 10K+ SKUs of ethnic packaged grocery goods from
Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. - Full line of groceries including dry goods, frozen
items and fresh produce. - Specialty pastries and cakes.
The City Fresh Market Shopper is looking for:
- Great cakes and pastries.
- Nostalgic products from Eastern, Central, and South Europe.
- Variety and good prices for imported grocery goods.
(Photo: Cermak Fresh Market)
Cermak Fresh Market
Cermak Fresh Market aims to be the local neighborhood store known for their exceptional service, specialty in international ethnic foods from Latin America and Europe and the best quality in produce and superior meats.
Highlights:
- Ethnic packaged goods and produce from Latin
America and Europe. - High-quality guest service.
- Best produce and good prices.
The Cermark Shopper is looking for:
- A large variety of ethnic and nostalgic products.
- Fresh produce at low prices.
- Good service.
(Photo: Go Grocer)
Go Grocer
Go Grocer was founded on the desire to provide fresh,
wholesome and specialty products to its customers. They
focus on showcasing local producers and vendors,
offering a wide array of craft beers, artisanal products and
prepared foods. There are 9 stores in greater Chicago.
Highlights:
- Each store is adapted to the specific needs of the
neighborhood where it is located. - Wide product selection that takes into consideration
different dietary needs. - Friendly staff.
The Go Grocer Shopper is looking for:
- Healthy and/or organic products.
- A great selection of quick pantry-fillers and on-the go, fresh, prepared foods.
(Photo: Totto’s Market)
Totto's Market
Totto’s Market is a neighborhood grocer that strives to
offer artisanal, local, fresh products and packaged goods
accompanied by helpful and friendly service in-store.
Totto’s Market is on Dearborn Street, in the South Loop.
Highlights:
- Curated selection of groceries, meats, produce and
prepared foods. - High-quality guest service.
- Beautiful and practical location.
The Totto’s Market Shopper is looking for:
- The neighborhood market experience.
- A curated selection of groceries and prepared foods.
- Great customer service.
(Photo: The Post Family)
Green Grocer Chicago
Green Grocer Chicago is a neighborhood grocer that offers natural, organic, and local product and produce!
Green Grocer Chicago carry a large selection of vegan, gluten free, and dairy free products, and work with local farms to provide fresh meat, dairy, and produce.
(Photo: HappyCow)
Dill Pickle Food
The Dill Pickle Food Co-op connects community to good, fair food produced with both sustainability and accessibility in mind. Their staff works with local, regional, and international growers and producers to source an array of options to meet the needs of our diverse community. They prioritize products that are locally grown or produced within 300 miles of the Dill Pickle, Certified Organic or following organic practices, Clean: GMO-free, free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, fragrances, antibiotics, growth hormones, herbicides or pesticides. And socially responsible: produced or distributed cooperatively, Fair Trade, small scale, BIPOC/women-owned.
(Photo: Fusion Imaging)
Fruitful Yield
Fruitful Yield only offer brands and products that are trusted. They look for products that are free of GMOs, petroleum by-products, and any artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners, or flavors.
(Photo: Olivia’s Market)
Olivia’s Market
At Olivia’s Market, they feature a robust collection of hand-picked and quality-tested products. Their shelves are brimming with a wide array of specialty foods sourced from all over the world, as well as local Chicago favorites and classic American flavors. Olivia’s Market emphasize quality foods rooted in well-established culinary traditions and strive to keep a strong selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free staples. Professional and home chefs alike are sure to find their culinary needs met by the hearty grocery selections.
(Photo: Fresh Market Place)
Fresh Market Place
Fresh Market Place is simple, the best fresh products at the very best price. Their mission is to find the best produce while bargaining down to the cheapest price possible.
(Photo: Novak Construction)
Standard Market
At Standard Market, they are committed to sourcing products from Chicago-area and Midwestern producers and growers. As a local company, they support local food artisans, build direct relationships with those who make the food, and reduce the need for long distance transportation of products. The Market is proud to feature—in addition to all the products they make in-house daily—a wide selection of products crafted or grown by purveyors within 300 miles of the Market.
Being local, they understand the importance of supporting local producers and growers. All of their local suppliers have a story, and their creations were born from a passion for quality ingredients and flavors. They are dedicated to bringing these local, lovingly crafted or grown products to your table and joining together in a celebration of food.
(Photo: Heinen’s Grocery
Heinen’s Grocery
Heinen sells traditional grocery items alongside hand-butchered meats. Heinen operated on the belief that “You have to find the best to sell the best.” From sourcing, curing and smoking meats to partnering with local producers and growers for the freshest produce, Heinen set standards that have stood the test of time.
(Photo: Victory Dance Foods)
East Bank Club Market
- The Food Shop at East Bank Club is open to the public and offers a stunning variety of food for diners on the move. Stop by in the morning for a cup of locally roasted coffee and baked goods made here in our kitchen; grab a Fit Meal™ (designed by our dietitian) for a nutritious and satisfying lunch; or bring home a fully prepared dinner for the whole family. The Food Shop also has a gourmet grocer that features local and artisan products.
(Photo: TimeOut)
Binny's
A true Chicago staple in the liquor market not only for
locals but also for visitors. Their success formula: large
locations + specialty and/or artisanal offer + mainstream
brands.
Highlights:
- An experience for connoisseurs with their exclusive
bottling and single barrel labels. - Committed to offering an unbeatable combination of
selection and value at all price points. - Constant communication with their community about
special events or offers through online channels.
The Binny’s Shopper is looking for:
- The Binny experience: knowledgeable employees, and both unique and mainstream products.
- A very large variety of craft beers and spirits.
- Unique and large locations.
National Retailers
GROCERY
(Photo: TripAdvisor (Lynge Te)
Whole Foods
The world’s largest natural foods grocery chain. Directed to audiences who are health-conscious, on a plant-based diet, or have specific dietary needs. There are 12 Whole Foods in Greater Chicago.
GROCERY
(Photo: CNN)
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s caters to a large clientele, from the health-conscious to the price-conscious. They are known for their low prices, unique offerings, and charming store features. There are 6 stores in Greater Chicago
GROCERY
(Photo: Eat This, Not That!)
ALDI
Aldi is widely known as the cost-efficient grocery retailer option due to low prices and self-service. Global retailer, HQ in Germany and expanding rapidly. 40+ stores in Chicago, ~160 stores Greater Chicago.
CONVENIENCE
(Photo: 7-Eleven)
7-Eleven
7-Eleven, the worldʼs first convenience store is making life easier for customers. Recent changes include better-for-you brands, that align with consumer trends. 70+ stores in Chicago, ~110 in greater Chicago.
PHARMACY
(Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Walgreens
Walgreens is the neighborhood retailer that brings health and well-being within reach for everyone, with one-stop locations for: prescriptions, lab services, convenience, and beauty. There are 100+ drug stores in Greater Chicago.
PHARMACY
(Photo: Zaubee)
CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy looks to make health care simpler, more affordable and specially more accessible through their 1-stop shops. There are 72 drug stores in Greater Chicago.
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