135 Years of Excellence: Unveiling the Legacy of Core-Mark
Established over a century ago, Core-Mark began its journey serving national chains and independent businesses with tobacco and nicotine products.
As times changed, the company transitioned towards food-centric items and other consumer goods, evolving into North America’s largest consumer goods marketer.
“One of our biggest challenges is that the convenience industry is one of the most government-regulated industries in Canada, with a lot of guidelines and restrictions on what we can and cannot sell,” says, John Carbone, senior vice-president Canadian region for Core-Mark. “Having said that, our biggest opportunity is that we’re well-positioned to serve customers as they and the industry evolve with our unconventional products and solutions to meet their needs.”
Today, Core-Mark has 45 operating centres which serve over 50,000 retailers in Canada and the U.S., ranging from traditional convenience stores, grocers, and drug stores to mass merchants, liquor and specialty stores. With four operating companies in Canada, Core-Mark handles various consumer goods, including general merchandise, confectionary, groceries, retail beverages, health and beauty, tobacco, dairy, bread, fresh food, and foodservice products.
The company’s focus on foodservice expanded after being acquired by Performance Food Group. Core-Mark is now committed to provide its customers with pioneering foodservice programs and solutions to expand their offerings beyond traditional convenience. Core-mark’s value proposition is based on three key competitive advantages: First, through the Core-Mark Innovation Centre, a lab created to collaborate with corporate and independent industry leaders and decision-makers on the latest products, technology, and equipment solutions to grow their business. Second, through Category Management Solutions with a Smart Stock program that includes quality racks and consultation services to improve sales and profitability. A Smart Set program that provides strategically sourced inline sets, featuring the best sellers for customers to leverage and influence a shopper’s purchase. Third, through Technology that offers customers a comprehensive range of applications that can enhance their interaction with us, along with a retailer analytics dashboard that provides them with valuable metrics to drive sales growth.
An acquisition and strategic foresight may have led the company to expand its operations, but Core-Mark’s true success lies in its unified culture and shared mission.
“We are a family-first, customer-centric company guided by our core values that frame our actions,” says Carbone, who’s particularly proud of the company’s recent recognition with a humanitarian award by the Convenience Industry Council of Canada. “Respect is the cornerstone of our culture, and influences how we interact with one another, strive to reach our full potential, and contribute to our shared pursuit of excellence. It is also equally important to give back to the communities in which we live and work, as it is to run a sustainable and profitable business.”
Core-Mark exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The company is well-prepared for further growth and success, capitalizing on its extensive history to navigate future opportunities and challenges.
To learn more about Core-Mark visit the website: www.core-mark.com.
