IGA USA Retailer of the Year Melissa Anderson of Hometown IGA

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has awarded Melissa Anderson, manager of Hometown IGA #17 in Albany, Kentucky, with the IGA USA Retailer of the Year and the Retail Learning Institute People Development Awards.

Hometown IGA #17 Manager Melissa Anderson accepts the IGA USA Retailer of the Year and the Retail Learning Institute People Development Awards.

Anderson 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 the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) bestows upon its retailer members and are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities.

Nominated by Houchens Food Group, Anderson recently took home the Jimmy Nichols Golden Shopping Cart Trophy as the Store Manager of the Year winner at Houchens Food Group.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Anderson and Hometown IGA #17. 

At Hometown IGA in Albany, Kentucky, Store Manager Melissa Anderson has a special talent for leading and guiding her staff. For them, working under her leadership is more than just earning a paycheck — it’s an opportunity to grow, learn, and shine. Anderson's ability to teach and train, along with her genuine concern for their development, earns her deep respect from the team.

Melissa Anderson, center, is surrounded by her team and IGA CEO John Ross, front right, as she holds the Retailer of the Year Award certificate.

Anderson's commitment to encouraging growth in the Hometown IGA employees, from hourly department heads to management, showcases a leader who gets as much satisfaction from the success of her team as she does from shopper praise about the great staff and customer service.

Not surprisingly, each and every department shines throughout the store, with every aisle finely tuned to ensure the highest level of satisfaction from valued customers.