Save A Lot’s Discount Grocery Business Model

Save A Lot operates a streamlined, value-driven grocery model built for independent operators. With a smaller store footprint, simplified operations and a strong mix of national brands and high-margin Save A Lot Exclusive Brands, our model keeps overhead low and profitability within reach for local owners. Backed by a national supply chain and dedicated business support, Retail Partners can focus on running their stores, serving their communities, and growing their business.

Whether you operate a multi-unit chain, a community grocery store or an international retail business, our wholesale solutions are designed to help you strengthen your assortment, improve margins and deliver greater value to your customers.

The Save A Lot Advantage

Low-Cost Service Model

Save A Lot’s ultra-efficient operation model allows our retail partners to run highly productive, minimally staffed shop floors (often only two to three staff members at a time). Focusing on a limited assortment means a smaller retail footprint with minimal backroom warehouse space, resulting in lower rents compared to larger conventional grocery stores. Save A Lot also displays products in their original shipping boxes, requiring less time to restock shelves, which helps control labor and reduce operating costs.

Award-winning Private Label Brands

Save A Lot offers more than 50 high-quality, low-priced private brands, offering customers a better value for their money while providing our retail partners better margins than the national brand equivalents.

Limited Assortment

Compared to a traditional retail grocery business that offers approximately 15,000 – 60,000 SKUs (stock-keeping units), an average Save A Lot carries 3,000 items. This reduced SKU assortment simplifies operations for retail partners while providing a more efficient shopping experience, where customers can get in and out quickly with high-quality, ready-to-eat meals, great packaged foods, and fresh meat and produce options.

Everyday Low Pricing (EDLP) Strategy

The buying power of 1,000 stores delivers market-leading everyday low prices. Through our EDLP strategy, Save A Lot offers savings over supermarket franchises on private-label and national-brand products, USDA-inspected meat, farm-fresh produce, and non‑food items.

Neighborhood Focus

Local community engagement is at the heart of the Save A Lot brand. Positioned as a neighborhood value grocer, Save A Lot retail partners are able to stock products tailored to their diverse local communities, allowing independent operators (often local ownership) to better cater to customers’ needs and build relationships locally. We encourage and support our retail partners in being an integral part of the community through nationally supported programs like our annual Bags for A Brighter Holiday promotion and other charitable partnerships.

World-class Distribution

Save A Lot operates dedicated distribution centers to keep its stores stocked with a reduced number of SKUs, allowing for greater operational efficiency, higher velocity, and increased buying power. This simpler, more efficient sourcing process allows Save A Lot to pass on better margins to its retail partner customers and better prices to its end grocery consumers.

Brand Reinvestment and Growth

Save A Lot has recently refreshed our branding, introducing fresh prototype remodels and reinvesting capital into remodel assistance programs. These are just two examples of new assets designed to help retail partners jumpstart their business.

Retail Partner-focus Business Model

Our business strategy focuses on the success of our retail partners. We provide them with numerous valuable support services to help them see strong returns. When you contact us, ask for more information on programs like the Save A Lot Retailer Advisory Council and our Succession Planning Program.

The Power of Save A Lot’s Exclusive Brands

We have more than 50 Save A Lot Exclusive Brands that are designed to deliver national-brand quality at a lower cost — a win for both customers and operators. This product line advantage drives customer loyalty while supporting stronger margins for operators, allowing stores to compete on both price and quality. From pantry staples to frozen and refrigerated favorites to everyday household items, these brands offer shoppers trusted value while helping Retail Partners build a more profitable grocery business.