Air Date: May 8, 2025
Consumer Co-ops

C.E. Pugh Shares Growth Strategies for the Co-op Grocery Sector

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This Thursday @ 10:30am ET
for Everything Co-op, hosted by Vernon Oakes

This week’s episode will feature C.E. Pugh, Chief Executive Officer of National Co+op Grocers (NCG). Vernon and C.E. Pugh will discuss how NCG supports the growth of the cooperative grocery sector, and his cooperative journey.

C.E. Pugh is the CEO of National Co+op Grocers, a cooperative serving 166 retail grocery co-ops with over 240 storefronts across 39 states and $2.8 billion in annual sales. He joined NCG in 2008 to lead its Development Co-operative, became the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer in 2012, and was appointed CEO in 2019. With 50 years of experience in the retail food industry, Pugh sees improving the food system as a spiritual mission and champions food co-ops as leaders in building more just and sustainable local food economies.

Our host, Vernon Oakes, is a consummate advocate for cooperatives. He is a Past President of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and he’s served on several boards and committees to advance the interests of cooperatives. Recently, he served on the Limited Equity Cooperative Task Force, established by Anita Bonds, At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia. Vernon is an MBA graduate of Stanford University, who has used his business acumen to benefit the community, by promoting the added value of the cooperative business model.