West Alabama Piggly Wiggly Operator Jay Welbourn Named Retailer of the Year

The Alabama Grocers Association has named Jay Welborn its 2026 Retailer of the Year in recognition of his excellent operation of the Piggly Wiggly stores in our area.

A spokesperson for B&W Foods, which Welborn co-owns, shared the news on Thursday, noting that the award is one of the association's highest honors.

Jimmy "Jay" Welborn is a lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa and a University of Alabama alumnus who operates Piggly Wiggly stores in the Druid City, Northport, Haleyville, and Phil Campbell.

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In the Thursday announcement, Welborn said he was raised in the grocery business and learned from his late father, Jimmy Welborn Sr., and his late mentor, Ronnie Baker, the founders of B&W Foods.

They opened their first location in Northport in 1998, and now operate seven stores across the region.

Welborn credited those who work for him with creating the kind of atmosphere celebrated by the Alabama Grocers Association.

“This recognition is truly about our people,” Welborn said. “Our employees are the face of every Piggly Wiggly we operate, and they are the reason our stores succeed. I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work, dedication, and pride they bring to our company every day. We wouldn’t be where we are without each and every one of them.”

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