L&R Distributors Acquires SAJ Distributors from Walgreens

NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- L&R Distributors Inc. today said it has entered into an agreement with Walgreen Co. to acquire the assets of SAJ Distributors, along with the private label line Select Brand®. Walgreen Co. acquired SAJ earlier this year when it purchased the USA Drug regional drugstore chain from Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings, Inc., and members of the LaFrance family.

L&R will operate the existing SAJ Distribution Center and offices located in Pine Bluff, Ark., operating under the SAJ name and retaining many existing SAJ staff who work in customer service, accounting, purchasing and operations. L&R will also maintain the existing SAJ sales staff, delivery methods, and inventory mix. This will ensure a "no change" turn-key solution for the existing SAJ family of customers. Over time L&R's SAJ Division will introduce new items, categories, and unique promotional programs which are currently in place and available to L&R customers across the country.

Coming on the heels of L&R's recent acquisition of UNFI's Non Foods Division (previously known as Millbrook), the SAJ acquisition will layer an additional 1,000 points of distribution into L&R's client base, continuing L&R's strategic growth within the independent grocery class of trade.  

L&R's goal has been to seek growth organically and through acquisitions to increase its in-store presence with its retail partners. The company said it remains steadfast in its commitment to "best in class" in-store service, competitive pricing, high in-stock levels and "first to market" programs.

We look forward to sharing more details on this exciting news over the next several weeks.

About L&R:
L&R Distributors Inc. is a national distributor of over 30,000 HBC, GM, and cosmetics products, presently serving over 7,000 points of distribution within the supermarket, drug, independent and mass classes of trade across the United States. L&R currently distributes products from several distribution centers on the east and west coasts. For more information, please visit www.lrdist.com or contact Reilly Murray, Senior Vice President (800)441-7173 Ext. 6570.

SOURCE L&R Distributors Inc.