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Wakefern’s The Fresh Grocer expands footprint

Nicholas Markets set to transition from Foodtown banner

Russell Redman

February 4, 2020

2 Min Read
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The Fresh Grocer will have 12 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including six in Philadelphia, with the addition of Nicholas Markets.Wakefern Food Corp.

Wakefern Food Corp. grocery banner The Fresh Grocer is growing its store count by 50% and entering a new state with the addition of independent operator Nicholas Markets.

Formerly operating Foodtown supermarkets in the Allegiance Retail Services cooperative, Nicholas Markets joined the Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern co-op last fall. The independent grocer, owned by the Maniaci family, is slated to reopen its four New Jersey stores under The Fresh Grocer name starting this month.

Plans call new Fresh Grocer locations to open their doors on Feb. 14 in Colonia, Washington Township on Feb. 21; North Haledon on Feb. 28 and Cedar Grove on March 6.

“My customers know they get a top-notch, specialty grocery shopping experience at our stores, and we will continue to provide all the things our customers know and love while adding new and exciting features as we rebrand to The Fresh Grocer,” Nicholas Markets President and CEO David Maniaci said in a statement. “This is an exciting next chapter in my family’s 77-year history in the grocery business. I want to thank shoppers for their ongoing support as we complete our rebranding efforts and make the change to The Fresh Grocer.”

Including those locations, The Fresh Grocer banner will have 12 stores in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Currently, there are six Fresh Grocer supermarkets in Philadelphia and one apiece in Wynecote and Upper Darby, Pa. A Fresh Grocer store in Wilmington, Del., was closed late last year.

Related:Nicholas Markets joins Wakefern Food co-op

Previously an independent chain, The Fresh Grocer joined Wakefern as its 50th member in 2013.

Wakefern noted that Nicholas Markets’ customers sign up for The Fresh Grocer Price Plus Club card at any of the retailer’s four stores. New advertising circulars this month will feature special deals for the new Fresh Grocer locations. In addition, the stores will carry Wakefern’s popular Wholesome Pantry better-for-you private label as well as the new Bowl & Basket (grocery) and Paperbird (household) brands. Instacart same-day online grocery delivery service also will be available.

Nicholas Markets became Wakefern’s 51st member when joining the co-op last October. Overall, the retailer-owned cooperative, the nation’s largest, has 353 independently owned and operated supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market and Gourmet Garage banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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