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Weis Markets meets ‘supreme challenge’ in fiscal 2020

Surge in at-home food consumption fuels double-digit sales gains

Russell Redman

March 10, 2021

2 Min Read
Weis_Markets-supermarket-exterior.jpg
CEO Jonathan Weis noted that fresh food departments turned in a strong 2020 performance, led by meat and seafood.Weis Markets

Weis Markets saw its bottom line rise nearly 75% and net and same-store sales jump by double digits for the 2020 fiscal year.

The Mid-Atlantic grocer reported late yesterday that sales for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26 totaled $4.11 billion, up 16.1% from $3.54 billion in fiscal 2019. The gain reflects 16.4% year-over-year growth in comparable-store sales along with a 155% surge in e-commerce sales.

Weis Markets’ fresh food departments turned in a strong 2020 performance, led by meat and seafood, which got a sales boost from increased cooking at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Chairman and CEO Jonathan Weis.

Jonathan_Weis-Weis_Markets_CEO.png

“The pandemic has been a supreme challenge for our communities and associates who continue to diligently serve our customers,” Weis (left) said in a statement.

“In-home meal consumption soared in 2020 due to an increased number of customers and their families working or attending school remotely. We met this demand by ensuring a safe shopping environment for our customers and associates and operating stores that were consistently in-stock,” he explained.

Income from operations swelled by 92.8% to $163.2 million in fiscal 2020 from $78.5 million in 2019. Net earnings climbed 74.9% to $118.9 million, or $4.42 per share, from $68 million, or $1.89 per share, a year ago. 

Related:Weis Markets taps K-VA-T executive Michael Lockard as CFO

“Our results were made possible by increased replenishment schedules; adaptable procurement programs; enhanced e-commerce solutions; disciplined marketing and pricing programs; improved store, manufacturing and distribution efficiencies; and consistent customer service,” Weis stated.

For the 13-week fiscal 2020 fourth quarter, net sales rose 13.7% to $1.03 billion from $902.4 million a year earlier. Same-store sales grew 14.1%, while income from operations increased 17.3% to $26.9 million from $23 million in the prior-year period. The company didn’t report e-commerce sales results.

Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis Markets finished fiscal 2020 with 197 supermarkets — the same as in fiscal 2019 — in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.

Robert_Gleeson_Weis_Markets.pngOn Wednesday, Weis Markets announced the promotion of Robert Gleeson (left) to senior vice president of merchandising and marketing. He previously was vice president of fresh merchandising.

In an expanded role, Gleeson now will oversee the grocer’s fresh and center-store merchandising, sales and procurement, marketing and advertising. He reports to Chief Operating Officer Kurt Schertle.

Gleeson joined Weis Markets as vice president of fresh merchandising in July 2019. Before that, he served as president of the Shoppers Food & Pharmacy division of Supervalu from September 2013 to June 2018. He began his career with the Shoppers food and drug chain in 1984 as a part-time grocery associate. During his 29-year career with Lanham, Md.-based Shoppers and Supervalu, which bought the chain in 1999 as part of the Richfood Holdings acquisition, he served in a range of senior leadership posts, including as vice president of center store and senior vice president of merchandising before becoming Shoppers division president.

Related:Weis Markets ups its digital advertising game

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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