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History
Embracing Our Legacy While Building Our Future
Family owned and operated since 1939, we have successfully transitioned Imperial to the 3rd generation of family ownership. Positioned for growth, this transition comes with a refreshed brand identity, strong financial position, capital investments across the organization and our continued support and active participation across major industry trade organizations.
1939
In the 1939 Frank Sleeper sells assembled first aid kits door-to-door. The inspiration for Imperial is born.
1939
Using a garage as his first warehouse, Frank Sleeper establishes Imperial...and his role as a pioneer of grocery Non-Foods.
1940s
Imperial introduces patent medicines and beauty care products into grocery stores.
1940s
Imperial Drug Co. opens its first warehouse on Winter Street in Worcester, MA.
1950s
Frank Sleeper does it all!
1950s
Imperial trucks deliver and service the company’s first supermarket customer, Grand View Market, on Stafford Street in Worcester, MA.
1960s
Imperial builds its new facility in Auburn, MA and adds general merchandise to its broadening assortment.
1960s
Frank Sleeper’s son, Michael, joins Imperial in 1964 and becomes its president in 1973.
1980s
The warehouse expands and technology advances to improve customer service.
1980s
Imperial increases its Non-Food offerings across categories and supplies its first chain supermarkets.
2000s
Imperial’s new showroom facilitates the development of customized assortments, promotions and retail pricing strategies.
2000s
Electronic ordering system enhances accuracy and productivity. Imperial doubles its customer base to 2000 retail locations with 20,000 SKUs.
2015
Team members use mobile devices to ensure quality. Imperial continues to fulfill its enduring mission as The Performance Leader.
2015
Voice-pick technology increases efficiency and improves service. Imperial supports over 3500 retail stores and expands its reach to the Mid-west and South.
2017
Imperial moved it's location to 150 Blackstone. With our upgraded facility we gained over 450k square feet of distribution center space.
2020
With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Imperial shifted to its first virtual Seasonal Show, enabling customers to order new product online.
2022
Investments in business intelligence and market data tools continue to enhance the value Imperial delivers to its customers.
2024
Imperial introduces its modern rebranding to IDI, kicking off the next chapter in the company’s journey, while still embracing its storied legacy. Do Your Shelf A Favor…a new tagline which represents our commitment to our retail customers and industry.
1939
In the 1939 Frank Sleeper sells assembled first aid kits door-to-door. The inspiration for Imperial is born.
1939
Using a garage as his first warehouse, Frank Sleeper establishes Imperial...and his role as a pioneer of grocery Non-Foods.
1940s
Imperial introduces patent medicines and beauty care products into grocery stores.
1940s
Imperial Drug Co. opens its first warehouse on Winter Street in Worcester, MA.
1950s
Frank Sleeper does it all!
1950s
Imperial trucks deliver and service the company’s first supermarket customer, Grand View Market, on Stafford Street in Worcester, MA.
1960s
Imperial builds its new facility in Auburn, MA and adds general merchandise to its broadening assortment.
1960s
Frank Sleeper’s son, Michael, joins Imperial in 1964 and becomes its president in 1973.
1980s
The warehouse expands and technology advances to improve customer service.
1980s
Imperial increases its Non-Food offerings across categories and supplies its first chain supermarkets.
2000s
Imperial’s new showroom facilitates the development of customized assortments, promotions and retail pricing strategies.
2000s
Electronic ordering system enhances accuracy and productivity. Imperial doubles its customer base to 2000 retail locations with 20,000 SKUs.
2015
Team members use mobile devices to ensure quality. Imperial continues to fulfill its enduring mission as The Performance Leader.
2015
Voice-pick technology increases efficiency and improves service. Imperial supports over 3500 retail stores and expands its reach to the Mid-west and South.
2017
Imperial moved it's location to 150 Blackstone. With our upgraded facility we gained over 450k square feet of distribution center space.
2020
With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Imperial shifted to its first virtual Seasonal Show, enabling customers to order new product online.
2022
Investments in business intelligence and market data tools continue to enhance the value Imperial delivers to its customers.
2024
Imperial introduces its modern rebranding to IDI, kicking off the next chapter in the company’s journey, while still embracing its storied legacy. Do Your Shelf A Favor…a new tagline which represents our commitment to our retail customers and industry.
Send us snail mail.
150 Blackstone River Road
Worcester, MA 01607
Question? Call Us.
508-713-6500
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