About Us

HISTORY

The Sentry Supermarkets group was formed in 1968 when executives from United Grocers, in Milwaukie, Oregon, began talking about ways to bring together independent grocery store owners to share information and resources, to help their stores more competitive.
The idea was to pool resources to increase buying power and to provide locally owned stores with professional marketing and advertising support which would be difficult to implement on their own.

The original group of Sentry stores consisted of four independent owners in Southern Oregon. These local community stores were well-managed and provided quality goods and services to their customers. Coming together with the Sentry marketing brand was viewed as a perfect way to strengthen their ability to serve their loyal customers and attract new shoppers.

Collectively, Sentry Supermarkets conducted invaluable customer research leading to new creative promotions, advertising, window banners and in store communications. In addition, Sentry began to build a name and image for the stores that would carry them through the coming decades. The first advertising campaign for the stores focused on the theme line: "Sentry Markets, Your Key to Food Savings."

By 1970, the number of Sentry Supermarkets had grown from the original four to over sixteen stores throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. In fact, 1970 was a landmark year in the history of Sentry Supermarkets. Over 25 stores joined the group that year, as more and more independent owners began to appreciate the value of Sentry group and image.

Today, your local Sentry Store continues the fine tradition of local ownership serving very special communities in the northwest and northern California.

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THE BRAND

The name Sentry Markets and are logo are collectively owned by member stores through their affiliation with Northwest Independent Brand Marketing. NWIBM also owns the Thriftway brand in Oregon and SW Washington. The group is managed by a Board of Directors elected by member store owners. Management of the ads and purchase agreements are carried out by this group, an advertising committee and their close association with Unified Western Grocers, the west coast leading distributor to independent grocers.

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