In 1985, Ron Travers founded Premium, and today, we are an Acosta Group agency, leading brands through an exciting and rapidly evolving era in retail.

Premium’s success is built on strong relationships as we work together to deliver the best. We’re more than a vendor. We’re a partner in the trenches with brands, retailers, and our fellow team members to identify new opportunities and drive winning strategies.

Much has changed about how we shop since 1985, but partnership remains critical to our success as an organization. Take a peek through our history to see how far we’ve come.

Premium’s History

1985: Retail executive Ron Travers founds the National Brokers’ Service Network (NBSN)

1989: NBSN evolves into Premium Merchandising Services

1990: Ron’s son Brian Travers joins the company

1991: Premium hires its first Field Managers

1995: Premium begins investing in all W2 employees

1996: Ron’s youngest son, Kevin Travers, joins the company

1998: QuickTrax or QTrax – now known as Premium 360 – launches and service order completion is taken online

2002: Premium exceeds one million store visits annually

2003: Premium becomes a Preferred Provider in Best Buy

2006: Premium expands into our current global headquarters in Chesterfield, MO

2007: Premium launches assisted sales capabilities and opens its first satellite office in Bentonville, Arkansas

2008: Sister company Premium Retail Services – now Total Retail Group – opens for business in Atlanta, Georgia

2011: Premium launches its in-house video production studio

2013: Brian and Kevin Travers become co-CEOs

2014: Premium expands footprint into Canada, opening its second HQ in Mississauga, Ontario

2016: Premium establishes Culture Team to amplify employee engagement and transparency

2017: Premium acquires Bentonville-based Premier Concepts to form Premium’s Smartcom division

2017: Walmart selects Premium as a Preferred Service Provider

2018: Premium wins its first of three consecutive Top Workplace recognitions in St. Louis

2019: Premium is established as Walgreens’ exclusive partner for merchandising planning

2019: Premium opens an expanded National Logistics & Distribution Center (NLDC) along with newly formed Operations Support Center

2020: Premium becomes Rite Aid’s exclusive merchandising services provider

2020: Premium Canada is certified as a Great Place to Work

2021: Premium launches the University of Premium, a company-wide career development program

2021: Premium joins the Acosta family of brands. Brian Travers and Kevin Travers become Premium’s Co-Presidents.

2023: Premium is re-introduced as an Acosta Group agency, fusing storied expertise, unmatched connectivity, and advanced insight to accelerate brand growth.

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What a journey of growth and success. Join us as we write the next chapter.