One of the Best Independent Grocery Stores in the U.S. Has Over 50 Locations in Louisiana
Rouses Markets has been named one of the best independent grocers of 2024. This honor, bestowed by Progressive Grocer, highlights the company's outstanding contributions to the grocery industry and its exceptional ability to connect with the communities it serves.
Rouses Markets is Louisiana-born and has 63 locations spread across three states and nearly 40 cities with a commitment to providing high-quality, locally sourced food. Speaking of local, over 50 of these stores are located in Louisiana, highlighting Rouses' strong presence in its home state.
The recognition from Progressive Grocer’s 2024 Outstanding Independent Award should come as no surprise to those familiar with Rouses Markets. The criteria for the award include a grocery store's ability to form a strong bond with its neighborhood and address the diverse needs of its residents. If you've stepped into any of our nearby Acadiana store locations, you can immediately tell that Rouses Markets provides a unique shopping environment that celebrates local culture and cuisine.
Founded in Houma, Louisiana, Rouses Markets has a storied history that spans over 64 years. If you follow its history, the company's dedication to tapping into its local communities while remaining innovative has been a constant through the decades. According to Progressive Grocer, "Rouses Markets consistently pioneers innovations as it continues to open new locations and renovate existing stores." This innovative spirit is evident in the supermarket's efforts to sell and promote local and regional dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya, and in being the top reseller for Gulf shrimp and boiled crawfish.
On the heels of Mardi Gras, Rouses' production of over half a million king cakes, with more than 10,000 of these iconic Mardi Gras staples shipped nationwide, is only the most recent example of its dedication to spreading Louisiana's rich culture far and wide.
The growth of Rouses Markets continued recently, with the recent opening of its fourth location in Lafayette Parish and counting the location in New Iberia, bringing the total to five stores in the Lafayette area alone. Upon opening the new location on Camellia Boulevard in Lafayette, Donny Rouse Jr. told me that Rouses has "an ongoing commitment to serve more communities, offering a wide range of products that cater to the tastes and needs of its diverse customer base."
Rouses Markets began as the City Produce Company in 1923, and through generations of family leadership and expansion, it has become the largest independent grocer in Louisiana. The company's acquisition of stores, including the significant addition of A&P’s Southern Division of 17 Sav-A-Center stores after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the subsequent expansion into Alabama and Mississippi, has solidified its status as a key player in the grocery industry.
Congratulations to Rouses Markets on this prestigious award from Progressive Grocer as it continues to support local farmers, promote regional cuisine, and meet the ever-evolving needs of the communities it serves at every location.
