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“Doc” Randall, H. J. Lueken —Grocers featured in magazineTwo businessmen fromMitchell were featured In recent publications of Progressive Grocer, a supermarket trade magazine.“Mid-America’s Plying Grocer” was the heading of a feature article on F. D. Doc Randall in the March edition. Randall, who owns grocery stores in Mitchell and 24 other locations in South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota, was pictured at the controls of one of his two corporate planes * which he uses to travel from store to store.The article described him as a “legend in his territory and one of the most uniquely successful grocers in the U.S.” His uniqueness was attributed to the far-fiiing geography of the Randall empire” and to the “rather stunning fact that the company has no middle management level...that grows up around a chain as it becomes a complex business,’'-.After supervising a chain store for 12 years, Randall went into business for himself, the article noted, convinced that all the reasons for success or failure of a store could be reduced to one simple factor: the man who manages it.” Hence, the Mitchell grocer decided to abolish the supervisor concept and, he is quoted as saying, “pay a lot moremoney to my best managers.” His personal stamp on the (grocery) business” is also evidenced in his merchandising policies, the article continued. Randall said that, in 1968, he kicked out trading stamps for good and went over to the mini-prieing program....We’ve essentially stayed that way ever since—with an everyday low-price policy and no gimmicks.”His future, the article noted, “is limited by only two things—being within reach of a Super Valu warehouse (his wholesaler) and within easy flying distance of Mitchell.” Randall Stores, Inc., which is expected to net a total volume of about $t?0 million this year is a “long haul from 1950 when Randall opened his first store in Flandreau, S.D.,” the article concluded.Henry U. “Hank Lueken, owner of Luekens Food Villa in Dunedin, Fla., is an independent operator with a yen for occasional direct-buying of deals, stated an article in the February edition of Progressive Grocer. The son of Henry A, Lueken of Mitchell, he began his career as a local carryout boy at age 14.“He never had time to graduate from high school,” the article continued, working his way through supermarket ranks under the tutorship of thelikes of F.D. Doc” Randall.” Lueken, after owning and managing a store in Bemidji, Minn, for four years, moved to Dunedin six years ago.With a weekly sales volume between $65,000 to $75,000, the Lueken store relies heavily on special displays and “simple, easy-to-read ads.” The owner prepares his own circular ads, the article noted.Although Lueken admitted that he has occasional slips in his buying, such an occurrence is rare. You can’t miss too often when you go with the big advertised brands....Generally 1 buy deals on items I know will move out.”He concluded, I just like it. I like to buy on my own, make a deal. I love to watph the stuff sell. It’s fun.SUEDancing everynight this week.Serving Chislic and pizzaSWEDE'S BARLesterville, S.D.r.mintv annttpra keenI THE LAWLER I
Newspaper Details
Mitchell Daily Republic
Mitchell, South Dakota, US
Thu, May 05, 1977
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Dakota W.
SD, USA 14 Mar 2023
Other Publications Near Mitchell, South Dakota
Mitchell Evening Republican
Daily Republic
Mitchell Daily Republic
Mitchell Sunday Republican
The Sunday Republican
