Known for innovation, Save Mart was one of the first supermarkets to offer customers pre-packaged meats, yard and garden supplies, plants, fresh-cut flowers and gift items, all creative concepts for the 1950's, and relatively unheard of for the area until Save Mart introduced them. Although service was not unique in the grocery industry, Save Mart went that extra step to make service a daily principle. Check cashing, which is now an industry standard, was just one of Save Mart's many hallmarks.
Scanning cash registers are typical for today's supermarket, but Save Mart utilized the most up-to-date cash registers for 1952. When other retailers were working up a bill on a piece of paper and counting out change. Save Mart's registers could separate departments and were equipped with change makers.
In 1984 major growth occurred for Save Mart Supermarkets. Along with the opening of eight new stores, a partnership was established with Mid-Valley Dairy that produces Sunnyside Farms products. The company expanded throughout the 1980's including the acquisition of twenty-seven Fry's supermarkets located in the East Bay area in 1989; 1997 saw the acquisition of 10 Lucky stores in the Central Valley.
In 1986 Save Mart also began a warehouse food division with two franchised Food-4-Less warehouse stores in Bakersfield, California. With their success, the company developed its own warehouse concept under the name Food Maxx which it owns independently. The Food Maxx division is now 45 stores strong. February 2007, life at Save Mart changed forever when the company purchased 128 Albertson's stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada and two large distribution centers located in Roseville and Vacaville.
Save Mart Supermarkets is a privately held food chain headquartered in Modesto, California. The company operates stores throughout the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and Northern Nevada under the names of Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, and FoodMaxx.
Save Mart also owns SMART Refrigerated Transport, a trucking firm that transports dry groceries, frozen foods, ice and novelties to all of Save Mart's stores. In addition to transporting Save Mart's merchandise, they also operate throughout the state as a "for hire carrier," transporting product for other companies as well.
Save Mart has continued its innovative ways by bringing many shades of green to the communities where new stores have been built. Our newest stores have a smaller carbon footprint than most buildings its size." They are a showcase of "green" technology. Water-based refrigeration systems eliminate ozone-depleting chemical refrigerants. Heat-recovery systems, skylights, reflective white roofing, variable-speed air handling systems, and computer- and sensor-driven energy monitoring systems optimize energy use. Water conservation measures are in place. Stores in the Save Mart chain recycle corrugated cardboard and plastics, and are part of the company's award-winning composting program. Many of our stores feature a Pacific Coast Cafe kiosk, a pharmacy, a SuperCooks cooking demonstration center, and expansive deli, bakery, meat, seafood, and produce departments. They are definitely "one stop" shopping.
Save Mart is committed to working with the communities and businesses that they serve. Some of Save Mart's major marketing events include sponsorship of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Race at Infineon Raceway, the AMGEN Bicycle Tour of California, the Thanksgiving Day Run to Feed the Hungry in Sacramento, Oakland Art & Soul Festival, Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Sacramento Gold Rush Days, the Big Fresno Fair and California State Fair.
Save Mart was founded on, and 59 years later, continues to believe strongly in giving back to the communities they serve. The company encourages store managers to get involved with their local community, including joining the local Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations of their choice. Save Mart's giving is targeted towards children's humanities, education, health needs, and food for children and families with children. Annually Save Mart donates several million dollars to organizations throughout their market area.
Some of the many organizations Save Mart contributes to include MDA, City of Hope, Children's Hospitals, The Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, the Center for Human Services, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, United Way, local food banks, all public and private schools, health agencies in their market areas, and many more local civic organizations.
Today Save Mart operates 213 stores, Smart Refrigerated Transport, Yosemite Wholesale Warehouse in Merced, Vacaville Distribution Center, Roseville Distribution Center, and is a voting partner in Super Store Industries (SSI). SSI owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, Mid Valley Dairy in Fairfield, and Sunnyside Farms ice cream plant in Turlock.
