Our History

C.H. Pelias, a Greek immigrant, founded Imperial Trading in 1916 as a wholesale grocer for independent retail grocers in New Orleans. Through controlled growth and more than 15 strategic acquisitions later, the 3^rd generation family business focused on the convenience store segment of wholesale distribution. 

In 2008 the Georges family, owners of Imperial and led by CEO John Georges, expanded its service offering by acquiring The Harrison Company in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Imperial and Harrison Company became the country’s 1^st Super Regional Distributor, approaching $1 billion in sales and servicing 3,000 retailers in 9 states. 

The Imperial Super Regional Distributor is the 9^th largest convenience store wholesaler in the United States and the 10^th largest private employer in the regional area. Our corporate office and 150,000 square foot warehouse is located at 701 Edwards Avenue, Elmwood Louisiana. We are 15 minutes from the New Orleans airport.

Today, our 150,000 sq ft warehouse house is technology driven to provide superior service to our retailers. All products are scan received at our warehouse. Your retail orders are selected via automated voice pick to insure accuracy.