URM Stores – Our History
URM
Stores, Inc. (formerly United Retail Merchants) began in 1921 when five people
banded together to form the corporation under the laws of the State of
URM
is a retailer-owned business. This means
that the shareholders of URM are all retail grocers who are customers of URM,
as well as its member-owners. This dual
relationship forges a special bond in which the retailer and URM employees
establish a close business relationship and is one very important reason for
the success of both the retailers and URM.
This time-proven relationship is the best way to serve the
member-owners’ needs and to provide them with the support necessary to ensure
their growth and success.
Over
the years, sales volume has grown to approximately $775 million, employment to
over 2,700 employees at URM and its subsidiaries, and assets to over $100
million.
URM’s
core business is the purchasing, warehousing and delivery of merchandise
inventory to its member-owners through its Patronage Departments. URM operates on a cooperative basis, which
means that all of its net earnings on business done with or for its
member-owners through its Patronage Departments are allocated and paid to its
member-owners in the form of patronage dividends. Such patronage dividends are paid to the
member-owners in proportion to the business each member-owner does with URM
through each of its Patronage Departments.
Over
the years, several additions have been made to URM’s
core business. In the 50’s and 60’s, URM
started operating a group of small regional distribution centers called Cash
& Carry’s, which provide small stores, restaurants and similar business
operations with a full selection of grocery, food service, frozen foods and perishable
products.
URM
Development Corporation was established in 1959, as a finance company to assist
member-owners in obtaining the capital required to grow their businesses. This subsidiary has proven to be a valuable
tool to the member-owners.
The
year 1968 saw the introduction of Western Family, which is a complete line of
private label products. URM is one of a
group of cooperative distribution centers that own Western Family Foods. This Western Family affiliation has provided URM’s member-owners with the strongest and most complete
private label program in our marketing area.
In
1976, URM established its Food Service Department, which has grown to
approximately 1,400 customers as described above.
In
1979, URM Insurance Agency was initiated to provide low-cost business insurance
coverage tailored to the needs of the grocery industry. Through this agency,
URM offers its member-owners the finest selection of products and services.
In
1984, URM formed a real estate holding company called R.S.M. Inc., which
acquires and leases supermarket properties to URM member-owners.
In
1986 URM purchased Peirone Produce Co., which
supplies URM member-owners the freshest produce in the market.
In
1999, URM formed Premier Brokerage Company to assist member-owners in complex
real estate transactions.
In
2000, URM successfully bid against competitors and was able to reacquire
Rosauers Supermarkets, which today is a wholly owned subsidiary of URM Stores.
As
we approach our 90th anniversary, the history and growth of URM Stores, Inc.,
stands as a testimony to the strength and vitality of the retailer-owned
system. The total URM team looks forward
to the future with optimism because of the successful foundation established in
the past as well as sustaining a meaningful tradition based upon basic faith in
the strength of dedicated and loyal member-owners and employees.