Houchens' President & COO Jimmy Nichols Honored With TGCSA Retailer Of The Year Award

When the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association (TGCSA) recently announced the recipient of their 2022 Retailer of the Year award, many in the industry weren't surprised it went to Houchens Food Group's President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jimmy Nichols. That's because Nichols has dedicated his nearly 40 year career to independents, with special ties to the State of Tennessee.

“As a native Tennessean, former TGCSA board member, and longtime friend of Jimmy Nichols, it’s such a pleasure for me to see Jimmy receive this award,” said David Smith, Associate Wholesale Grocers’ president and CEO. “He has served the industry valiantly for almost four decades in various leadership roles. Though he has a full plate leading a sizable multi-state company, he finds time to help the overall industry, support the communities they serve, and remain a bold ambassador for the local independent grocer.”

Support For The Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation

Nichols' community and industry support is exemplified in his efforts within the Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation and their Breaking Clays For College fundraisers. The Foundation provides scholarships for students who are employees or family members of employees in the grocery industry, and the fundraisers significantly finance those scholarships.

"Jimmy really spearheaded the Breaking Clays For College event, and Houchens has been one of the lead sponsors for a number of years," Houchens' Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Merchandising Greg Rush said. "It has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Tennessee Groceries Education Foundation on behalf of TGCSA, and Jimmy has led that effort."

During the tournaments, participants shoot clay pigeons for a chance to win team prizes. Attendees are also treated to lunch, with an opportunity to win more (and donate more) during a raffle. With three tournaments throughout the state, there's an opportunity for retailers, wholesalers, and industry members to attend, network, and most importantly raise money. 

Dedication To Independent Grocers 

While this award recognizes Nichols' exemplary service to the food industry and the communities Houchens serves in Tennessee, he remains dedicated to independents throughout the nation.

"Jimmy has been in the independent grocery industry for most of his career. He has worked on both the retail and wholesale sides of the business. He currently serves on the boards of both the National Grocers Association (NGA), and Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG). As an active member of these boards, he represents not only Houchens' stores, but all independent grocers. Jimmy proudly advocates for all independents," Rush said.

As part of that support, Nichols has been an advocate for IGA within Houchens' stores, which are located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.

"The IGA brand is our brand," Rush said. "All of our stores are part of the Alliance, and although they may not have the logo or they may not participate in all of the programs, the long-term vision is that we are members of the independent grocery industry." 

IGA CEO John Ross has seen Nichols' IGA advocacy in action. "I'm really impressed by Jimmy and all the work he has done for independents and the communities they're in. He very much deserves this award," Ross said.

With praise for Nichols pouring in throughout the grocery industry, this TGCSA award is both well-deserved and a tipping point for more recognition to come for Nichols and Houchens.