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.
(Photo: Winsight Grocery Business)
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:
The Dom’s Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: Foursquare City Guide (Toni D)
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:
The Marianoʼs Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: Supermarket News)
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:
The Foxtrot Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: Winsight Grocery Business)
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:
The Patel Brothers shopper is looking for:
(Photo: King Retail Solutions)
Chicago born and bred, it’s the largest seller in the area
according to vault.com. Acquired by Albertsons in 2013.
Highlights:
The Jewel Osco Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: Yelp (Karen W.)
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:
The City Fresh Market Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: 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:
The Cermark Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: 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:
The Go Grocer Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: 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:
The Totto’s Market Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: The Post Family)
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)
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 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)
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 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)
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 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)
(Photo: TimeOut)
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:
The Binny’s Shopper is looking for:
(Photo: TripAdvisor (Lynge Te)
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.
(Photo: CNN)
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
(Photo: Eat This, Not That!)
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.
(Photo: 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.
(Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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.
(Photo: Zaubee)
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.
To ensure a seamless production process, brands must align their packaging supplier and co-packer early on by defining technical specifications, testing materials, and maintaining clear communication to avoid costly inefficiencies and delays.
Scaling your CPG brand requires the right systems in place to support that growth. Without clear visibility into your operations, you risk stockouts, overproduction, lost profitability, and compliance issues.
To build high-converting landing pages, focus on a compelling offer that creates urgency, a streamlined page design that quickly answers customer questions, and high-performing ad copy that resonates with your audience and drives immediate action.
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