Save-A-Lot

Save A Lot was founded in 1977 by Bill Moran in Cahokia, Illinois, as a smaller, no-frills alternative to conventional supermarkets. The model was deliberately stripped down — stores average around 15,000 square feet, carry roughly 1,250 items (compared to 35,000 at a typical large chain), and display products in their original cardboard shipping boxes to keep costs low. Moran remained with the company until his retirement in 2006. Save A Lot became a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based Supervalu in 1993 before eventually being spun off independently. Today, Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated discount grocery chain in the U.S., with approximately 700 stores across 30 states. In 2023, the company completed its transition to a 100% licensed wholesale model, meaning all Save A Lot locations are now independently owned and operated by local retail partners — similar in structure to ShopRite and C-Town.