Alex Lee

Alex Lee, Inc., headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, is a prominent family-owned conglomerate specializing in food retail and wholesale distribution across the Southeastern United States. Established in 1931 by brothers Alex and Lee George, the company has grown from a modest wholesale grocery distributor into a multifaceted organization with a diverse portfolio of businesses.

Core Businesses and Services

At the heart of Alex Lee's operations is Merchants Distributors, Inc. (MDI), a full-service wholesale grocery distributor serving over 600 independent retailers across 12 states. MDI offers a comprehensive range of services including cold storage, digital solutions for retail, large-format printing, and export services to more than 20 countries.

In the retail sector, Alex Lee owns and operates Lowes Foods, a grocery chain with over 80 locations throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. Lowes Foods is renowned for its community-focused approach, featuring unique in-store experiences such as the Chicken Kitchen, Cakery, and Community Table, all designed to create a distinctive shopping environment.

Additionally, Alex Lee has expanded its reach through acquisitions like W. Lee Flowers, a wholesale and retail grocery distributor operating in the Carolinas and Georgia, and Souto Foods, a wholesaler specializing in Latin American and Caribbean products. These acquisitions have enhanced the company's product offerings and market presence.

Company Values and Community Engagement

Guided by the philosophy that the success of customers and suppliers directly contributes to the company's success, Alex Lee emphasizes values such as accountability, communication, excellence, family, frugality, innovation, integrity, profitability, and respect.

These principles are integral to the company's operations and its commitment to fostering strong relationships with employees, customers, and communities.

Locations

Alex Lee operates in multiple locations across the Southeastern United States, including:

• Hephzibah, GA, USA
• Advance, NC, USA
• Augusta, GA, USA

These locations support the company's extensive network of retail and wholesale operations, contributing to its widespread presence in the region.

Through its diverse operations and steadfast commitment to its core values, Alex Lee, Inc. continues to be a significant player in the food distribution and retail industry, dedicated to delivering quality products and services to its customers and communities.