Versailles IGA celebrates national Retailer of the Year award

IGA President and CEO visited the store on Monday

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – A Versailles grocery store received a national award from the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) on Monday. 

Versailles IGA was named IGA Retailer of the Year earlier this year and IGA President/CEO John Ross came to the store to deliver the award yesterday.

There are 2,600 IGA stores nationwide and the Retailer of the Year award was only given out to nine of those stores. 

Versailles was nominated by their distributor for the store’s excellence in operations, customer service, innovation and community engagement.

“This is a store that isn’t just focused on the bottom line, they are focused on taking care of people. And when you take care of people, the business will come,” Ross told The 812. 

Versailles IGA was opened by Robert and Dotty Wood in 2014. Robert passed away in 2020 but the store remains family-owned and operated.

It is now co-owned by their daughter, Kelly Gutzwiller, her brother, Daren Wood, as well as Dotty. 

Kelly, Daren and Dotty have led the store through significant revitalization projects while consistently reinvesting in upgrades and improvements.

Some recent upgrades include a new point-of-sale system, upgraded register equipment, new grocery carts, a repaved parking lot and expanded technology such as digital coupons and Instacart delivery services.

“Versailles IGA was built because our community needed a local grocery store, and when we came into the business, our focus was simple: reinvest in the store, support our employees, and earn the trust of our community,” Gutzwiller said.

The store also puts a focus on the community it serves. Employees are encouraged to connect with customers, many of whom rely on the store not just for groceries but also for social interaction . 

“Sometimes a grocery store is the only place someone will see a friendly face all day,” Gutzwiller said. “We want every person who walks through our doors to feel welcome and valued.”

Under Gutzwiller’s leadership, Versailles IGA has also strengthened operational performance and store growth, with year-over-year increases in purchases and improvements across multiple departments.

The store continues to invest in future improvements, including refrigeration upgrades and new store features designed to improve efficiency and customer convenience.

Kelly added that Pride Family Market in Hanover was also one of the nine stores nationwide to be named Retailer of the Year.

“It’s really unique to have two stores so close receive this big award but it is truly a testament to the wonderful communities we serve around here,” Gutzwiller said.

Here are some more photos from Monday's ceremony: