ShopRite Expands Members and Stores in Northeast

Wakefern Food Corp. already the largest retail cooperative in the U.S., is expanding its membership and storefronts further in Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. Thompson Food Corp. is planning to reopen a former ShopRite location in Uniondale, NY and is the 47th member to join the cooperative. Kenneth Thompson, a 45-year food retail veteran who has served as Vice President of Waldbaums and Shaker ShopRites, one time known as Foodarama, leads Thompson Corp.

In Connecticut 11 Shaw’s stores have been converted to ShopRite. Former Wakefern executive, Raymond Miller, leads one store in Enfield. Miller cites Wakefern’s mantra of providing topnotch support so that smaller operators can better compete with the larger competitors of the food industry as the reason his store will prosper. Two other Connecticut stores in West Hartford and Canton are operated by Joseph Family Markets and are conversions from former Shaw’s outlets. These join 13 other ShopRite stores adding significantly to the banner’s presence in the state.

Wakefern’s expansion in these markets follows its entry into Maryland, Delaware and the Philadelphia areas. Industry insiders regard the corporation’s value proposition as a deliverer of high quality at fair prices as its key to success.