‘Blown away’ by how much above, beyond conference went

ROFDA associate member Circle the Wagons, based in Houma, Louisiana, is a group purchasing organization that focuses on not-for-resale commodities and services, engineered and built for the independent grocer.

The company also introduces new and innovative products, services and solutions to address opportunities for foot traffic growth, unique avenues for sales, unique opportunities to look at revenue to be produced from dead space in the store, according to Barton Howard, co-founder and chief development officer.

Prior to Circle the Wagons, Howard had worked with Rouses Markets in Louisiana but never had an opportunity to interact with ROFDA. He became familiar with the organization after his friend, Jeff Pedersen, announced he was joining it as president in February. Howard said he wanted to support Pedersen in his new venture.

As a new associate member, Howard said he attended his first conference in the spring.

“ROFDA, to me, was kind of a key that fits into a hole to unlock a lot of understanding to how the industry works. It’s heavily focused on developing relationships, and with good relationships comes good business,” he said.

“Quite honestly, I’m very impressed at the level of access someone gets, to understanding the industry as well as you can by even attending just one meeting and the welcoming attitude that everybody had for new members or new sponsors to come in. It was a very, very warm reception and very welcoming.”

Another thing that stood out to Barton was the ability to make a presentation to other ROFDA members.

“With a lot of new capabilities or solutions, technologies that are ever changing in the marketplace, to be able to go into an environment and present – even in a brief period of time, say 10 to 15 minutes – what you’re doing, what you’re working on and have literally hundreds, if not thousands of years’ worth of combined experience sitting in the room and capable of giving you feedback…that’s a very rare opportunity.”

In reference to ROFDA’s share groups, Howard noted that CTW was formed in a share group. He said the share groups, which now include retailers, allow participants to open up about opportunities for improvement or solutions that are needed.

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“Especially the vendor community, it really gives the opportunity to listen to very, very specific needs in the market,” he said. “Also it is a very unique opportunity to also look at whether or not some things that they’re doing or can do, should be added or adjusted.”

According to Howard, the share groups offer a “collaborative environment with both some of the largest and most respected wholesale distributors in the country – and their principals – to be on the same stage and interacting with and listening to the retailers, who are also some of the most well-known and respected in the independent industry. It’s just a really special place.”

Howard, who had participated in ROFDA’s share groups prior to becoming an associate member, said he had an idea of what benefits ROFDA could offer but the reality hit home at the conference.

“I was blown away with how much above and beyond it went from my initial expectations,” he said.