Morton Williams Supermarkets, which operates 16 family-owned stores in the New York Metropolitan area, is the latest independent operator to join the Allegiance Retail Services LLC grocery co-op. The Iselin, N.J.-based co-op provides members with marketing, advertising, technological and merchandising support along with a full line of private label products that carry the Foodtown, Green Way and Rancher’s Legend brands.
“We are honored to join the Allegiance family,” Avi Kaner, a Morton Williams owner, said in a statement. “The level of dedication and support by the cooperative’s executives and other members has been stellar. We look forward to growing and enhancing our relationship with this wonderful organization.”
Kaner also will serve on Allegiance’s board of directors.
Other Allegiance members operate under the Foodtown, Freshtown, D’Agostino, Gristedes, Pathmark, LaBella Marketplace, Brooklyn Harvest, Market Fresh, Big Deal Food Market, Green Way Markets and Shop ’n Bag banners in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“It is a great testament to the strength of our cooperative and product offerings that Morton Williams Supermarkets has chosen to join our membership,” said John T. Derderian, Allegiance president and chief operating officer.
“Our cooperative with 126 stores provides exceptional national and local product lines, high quality produce, seafood and meat, and an extensive private label line of conventional and organic items,” he said. “Additionally, Allegiance is known for its unwavering professionalism, commitment, and support of its independent grocers.”
The addition of Morton Williams is just the latest Allegiance development. Earlier this month, the company announced the passing of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Katz. Katz, along with his brother Noah, was also co-president of PSK Operating LLC, owner and operator of 13 supermarkets in New York under the Foodtown, Freshtown and Pathmark banners and a longtime member of the Allegiance and Foodtown organizations.
Lou Scaduto Jr., president of Food Circus Supermarkets, was elected the new chairman and CEO during a special board meeting after Katz’s passing.
Allegiance also appointed additional board members for its 2022-2023 fiscal year, including Esmail Mobarak as treasurer. In addition, the company this year announced the promotions of Samer Rahman to vice president of center store from vice president of perishables; Dean Holmquist to vice president of perishables from vice president of store operations; and Kevin Komisky to senior director of store operations from director of merchandising and operational effectiveness.
