Dillon Companies, Inc.
Formerly
  • J.S. Dillon Cash Store (1913–1917)
  • Dillon Mercantile Company, Inc (1917–1921)
  • J.S. Dillon and Sons Company (1921-1968)
  • Dillons Companies Inc. (1968-1983)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail / grocery
Predecessor
  • Sterling General Store (1890-1913)
FoundedAs a general store
1890 (1890) in Sterling, Kansas, U.S.
As a grocery store
1913 (1913) in Hutchinson, Kansas, U.S.
FounderJohn S. Dillon
HeadquartersHutchinson, Kansas, U.S.
Number of locations
94
Area served
Kansas
Key people
ProductsBakery, dairy, delicatessen, frozen foods, general grocery, lottery, pharmacy, seafood, produce, meats, snack food, liquor, and salad bar
ServicesSupermarket
RevenueIncrease US$2 billion (2021)
Number of employees
Increase 11,500 (2021)
ParentIndependent (1890–1983)
Kroger (1983–present)
Divisions
Websitewww.dillons.com

Dillons is a grocery supermarket chain based in Hutchinson, Kansas, and is a division of Kroger. Other banners under Dillon Stores Division include Gerbes in Missouri and Baker's in Omaha, Nebraska. Dillons operates grocery stores throughout Kansas with major influences in and around Wichita, Topeka, Manhattan, and Lawrence. Dillons also operates distribution centers in Goddard and Hutchinson.[1]

History

Former logo

In 1890, John S. Dillon opened a general store in Sterling, Kansas, and learned that allowing customers to charge then pay later and delivering groceries to their homes was a financial and manpower strain on his business. In 1913, he opened his "J.S. Dillon Cash Store" in Hutchinson, Kansas employed a new marketing concept called cash and carry, where the store would not offer credit or delivery services. Dillon opened a second store in 1915 that he managed then placed his son, Ray E. Dillon, in charge of the original store. In 1917, the company was incorporated under the name "Dillon Mercantile Company, Inc". Due to his sons John and Ray both being overseas in France during World War I, Dillon sold his company to his investment partners, but soon afterward both sons returned. They opened a new store called "J.S. Dillon and Sons Store" in 1919 and incorporated in 1921.[2]

In 1983, Dillon Companies, Inc., was acquired by The Kroger Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, creating a nationwide grocery chain. Several years later, David Dillon was named Kroger's president and COO and became CEO in 2003. Dillon retired from that position effective January 1, 2014.[3]

In 2006, Kroger opened the first Dillons Marketplace in Wichita. The concept, similar to Kroger's Fred Meyer chain, is 110,000 square feet (10,000 m2) of grocery and general merchandise.[4]

Gerbes

Gerbes logo

In 1933, Frank J. Gerbes founded Gerbes Super Markets, Inc. in Tipton, Missouri.[5] The location in Tipton closed in 2007.

In 1966, Gerbes merged with the Dillon Companies and has been a division ever since. Kroger currently operates seven stores under the Gerbes banner in Mid-Missouri.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Distribution Contact Page". TheKrogerCo.com. Kroger. 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  2. ↑ "History of Dillon Companies Inc". FundingUniverse.com.
  3. ↑ "Kroger No. 2 to become CEO as Dillon retires | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com". Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Dillons Marketplace Format Comes to Kansas". AllBusiness.com. July 14, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  5. ↑ Knaebel, Anna (September 4, 2021). "Cole County History: Gerbes family launches grocery chain". News Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Store Locator". Gerbes.com. Kroger. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.