Gourmet Catalog Membership Reaches 351 Store Locations

Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group, the leading and original buying group in the housewares industry, has recently increased its membership ranks to a record 351 locations nationwide. Providing opportunities and specialized attention to independents has enabled the 34-year-old company to sustain growth and fill important needs of independent retailers.

“Reaching this milestone is a good indication to me that independents embrace the camaraderie and experience that GC membership brings,” said Janis Johnson, president and founder of Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group. “We are proud to say that GC provides an exceptional exclusive networking and educational platform for our members. I personally have tremendous admiration and respect for the entrepreneurial spirit of each store owner, and we strive daily to offer new tools that will ensure their differentiation. Special bonds that form between members help them to learn and grow in ways they could not experience individually.”

Store member Beverly Calder from Bella in Baker City, Ore., said, “I’m a latecomer to GC but have marveled over the sense of connectivity it has given me.”

Gourmet Catalog has been in business since 1981 and is dedicated to helping independents compete with big box stores and specialty retail chains. Discounts, dating, exclusive offerings and education for members are important parts of the program. Other opportunities include the very successful Atlanta Start the Year Member Conference, focused on education and personal interaction between store and vendor members, as well as other market events and symposiums during the year.