IGA USA Retailers of the Year Jorge Evans of KJ's Market

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has awarded Jorge Evans, manager of KJ's Market in Waynesboro, Georgia, with the IGA USA Retailer of the Year and the Mark Batenic Driving Value Awards.

Jorge Evans holds the Retailer of the Year and Mark Batenic Driving Value Awards on stage at the ceremony.

Evans was recognized at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on February 24, 2025 in Las Vegas along with seven other U.S. retailers and IGA Australia and South Africa's Retailers of the Year. The awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members and are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities. Evans was nominated by his licensed distribution center W. Lee Flowers.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Evans and his commitment to driving value.

Evans has developed a reputation for turning things around for the better. When he took the reins of the Waynesboro store in spring of 2024, it was trending down nearly 10%.

Jorge Evans, center, holds the IGA USA Retailer of the Year certificate during IGA CEO John Ross' visit.

In a low to moderate income community and with a local Walmart scheduled to finish a full store remodel last May, Evans knew he had a hard road ahead, but he also knew the formula for success: show the community value, and their trust will come. He focused on operational excellence, stepping up customer service in a big way and talking to shoppers about what they’re looking for in product selection, then delivering that at the best possible prices.

Now the store reflects that commitment to give shoppers the variety they need at a price they can afford. The produce department boasts mix and match weekly produce sales. Butchers cut meat fresh daily and work hard to accommodate all custom requests — value-priced meats and meat bundles make it possible for families to put a hearty meal on the table for less than $2 a per person for protein. The hot bar is packed with family favorite prepared foods like rotisserie and fried chicken and mac and cheese, making for a quick, affordable lunch or dinner. And IGA private label end-caps offer up the best quality products available at a price that helps shoppers stretch their dollar further.

It's clear his strategy for delivering value paired with personalized customer service is working. The store has gone from negative double digit comps to 16% positive comps in just nine short months, proving new Walmart or not, the Waynesboro community is going to take care of the store that takes care of them.