Chairman and CEO of Harps Food Stores honored on eve of NGA Show’s return
Las Vegas, NV – The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent grocery industry, presented the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award to Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Arkansas-based grocery retailer Harps Food Stores.
The award, sponsored by Mondelēz International Inc., is presented annually to an independent retailer that demonstrates tangible examples of persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship throughout the year. As the chairman and CEO of Harps, Eskew is committed to building a strong team of responsible, motivated individuals invested in delivering a superior shopper experience.
The award was presented to Eskew on Saturday, March 9, in Las Vegas, where the 2024 NGA Show is scheduled to open today.
“Kim has a strong commitment to responsibility and accountability, and he encourages these qualities in the people that he leads, people who have been pivotal to the success of Harps,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO. “Throughout his career, Kim has brough an entrepreneurial spirit to his many roles at Harp’s that has helped the company grow into one of the most respected regional independent supermarket chains in the country.”
Eskew began his career in 1977 as a part-time checker while attending college. Since then, he has held numerous positions that range from closing manager to VP of marketing to his current role as chairman and CEO, a title he has held since 2018.
Eskew oversees an employee-owned company that has experienced tremendous growth over the years, with annual sales now surpassing $1.5 billion as the company approaches 150 stores. “Yet, Harps still operates its stores like a community store, continually building an ever-growing fan base of customers,” Ferrara remarked.
Under his leadership, Eskew led the development of Harps’ 10-Box cost plus format, designed to compete against Walmart’s supercenter low-price perception. These stores represent some of the most profitable in the company.
“This culture of putting employees first extends to team members of newly acquired stores, where Kim personally spends time meeting and getting to know Harp’s future employee-owners,” Ferrara said. “There aren’t many billion-dollar companies where the chairman and CEO dedicates days of their time in newly acquired stores just getting to know the people and ensuring a smooth transition, but Kim does. His calming and caring demeanor helps ensure a smooth transition where everyone truly feels respected and taken care of.”
Since 2009, the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, sponsored by Mondelēz International and named after NGA’s first president and CEO, has been presented annually to recognize an independent grocer that exemplifies persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship. This award is one of the most prestigious honors awarded to independent grocers.
