Best of the Best

52 BEST OF THE BEST FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 • NWA MEDIA PROMOTIONAL SUPPLEMENT he ongoing key to the success of the 74 Harps Food Stores is that the company is employee- owned, says Chairman and Chief Executive Of- ficer Roger Collins. "We feel that makes a big difference," Collins said. "It's not just someone receiving a paycheck, but they're invested in how well it does." It's not as simple as providing great prices and service for the regional supermarket chain. "For the last 20 years, we've had Wal-Mart satu - rating our market, and we've had to find a way to be successful in that environment, tried to differentiate ourselves from Wal-Mart. We believe we have, with friendly employees, the quality in our meat, the qual - ity of produce and other foods, and friendly service," Collins said. In the last 12 months, Harps has built five new stores and purchased three stores to convert them into Harps, he said. Collins is not focused on the additions being compact and neighborhood market-like. "The demographics in an area determine the size. A few are bigger and a few smaller," he says. Harps stores are found in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. More information is available on their website at harpsfood.com. HARPS FOOD STORES >> Store to Buy Produce T BY BEN S. POLLOCK | SPECIAL TO NWA MEDIA Employee ownership key to Harps' success NWA Media/SUKE BENSON The new grocery in Elkins is one of several added this year by Harps Food Stores, which attributes its success to its employee-owned business model.

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