VPS Convenience Group, a chain that grew through acquisition to more than 400 locations, sold all of the company-operated stores and dealer sites in its Southeast division last year to GPM Investments, the Richmond, Va.-based operators of Fas Mart and Shore Stop stores.
VPS maintains its Midwest division, with offices in Indianapolis and stores in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. VPS Convenience Store Group includes Village Pantry and Next Door Store brands. VPS also operates two truckstop and travel plazas and offers fleet fueling services.
In the Midwest, the 150 Village Pantry stores and about 30 Next Door stores target working-class customers, mostly blue collar male ages 18 to 50. Village Pantry locations are mainly in residential neighborhoods, with very few highway locations, so its strategy is to tailor the mix to the needs of the local customers. Village Pantry stores are known for fresh offerings, with stores selling fresh-made sandwiches and doughnuts made on site at more than 100 locations.
| Headquarters: | Wilmington, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| No. of Stores: | 167 |
| Average Store Size: | 2,000-4,500 sq. ft. |
| Rank: | 54 |
| States of Operation: | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio |