ShopRite not coming to Admiral Wilson Blvd in Camden

It was announced earlier this month that the much anticipated ShopRite planned for Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Camden won't be coming after all. City officials announced three years ago that the supermarket would anchor a new shopping center, create permanent jobs and provide the community with access to fresh, affordable food.

An explanation for the deal falling apart from the developer or tenant was not provided to reporters. However, Actega North America, a Delran-based industrial company, was approved recently to receive $40 million in state tax incentives if it agrees to build a 130,000 square foot headquarters on the site. According to the company the move would create 21 jobs.

PriceRite opens in Camden today

Camden, NJ's first new supermarket in nearly 40 years comes today as PriceRite opens it's doors to the public at the site of a former Pathmark that closed last year. Ravitz Family Markets, which operates five ShopRite stores, is the owner/operator. They plan to open a sixth ShopRite in Camden in 2016.

Ravitz to open PriceRite in Camden

Ravitz Family Market, the Wakefern Cooperative member planning to open a ShopRite in Camden (ShopRite to open 75,000 SF store in Camden), announced last month that it would also open a PriceRite store in the city's vacant Pathmark location. The company owns five other ShopRite stores in New Jersey.

PriceRite is expected to open in November and create 80-100 jobs. Much of Camden has been labeled a food desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to its lack of supermarkets and access to fresh produce.

Another New Jersey Pathmark to close

Supermarket News reported last week that the Pathmark store in Howell, NJ will close in October. According to union sources, the employees were notified the previous week.

Parent company A&P announced in July that Pathmark stores would close in Cherry Hill, Camden and Edgewater.  A&P, which also includes Super Fresh, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium and Food Basics, recently hired Credit Suisse to help review strategic alternatives that may include selling the company.

Many think the end is near for the iconic brand, a sentiment that's hard to argue with as competitors like ShopRite, Giant and others continue to eat away at A&P's market share.

Pathmark closing three South Jersey stores

Several reports yesterday confirmed that A&P officials told employees that the company was closing Pathmark stores in Cherry Hill, Camden and Edgewater Park in 60 days. The closings will leave Ventnor as home to the only Pathmark in New Jersey. A&P closed Super Fresh stores in Westmont, Marlton and Plainsboro earlier this year.

The closing may be especially troublesome for Camden, often referred to as a food desert. However, ShopRite plans to open a store in Lawnside within the next couple years (ShopRite to open store in Camden County's Lawnside Township). The new store will be about 10 minutes from the Pathmark location.

According to a union official that represents employees at Pathmark, A&P said they were "losing a lot of money..."

Supermarket analyst Matthew Casey said all three stores were unprofitable.

In a news report last night on one of the major networks, the reporter claimed that shopping patterns for thousands of people would change due to the closings. I would argue that if shopping patters hadn't already changed, the stores wouldn't be closing.

FreshDirect expands to more Philly suburbs; adds 90 new zip codes

Internet grocer FreshDirect announced yesterday that it has expanded service to more than 90 new zip codes that range from the Philadelphia area all the way to Long Island in New York. FreshDirect entered the Philadelphia market in October 2012 in limited areas, and expanded just three months ago to many surrounding suburban counties. 

Most of the new zip codes are in New Jersey, covering eight counties in Northern New Jersey as well as Camden and Gloucester counties in Southern New Jersey.

FreshDirect CEO Jason Ackerman said that suburban growth is outpacing urban growth, prompting the expedited growth outside of New York City and Philadelphia.

ShopRite to open 75,000 SF store in Camden

The news spread quickly yesterday that ShopRite is planning a 75,000 square foot supermarket in Camden, NJ, which would be the first such store Camden has had since the early 1980s.

Plans for a 20-acre retail shopping center at South 17th Street and Admiral Wilson Boulevard were unveiled by representatives of the Goldenberg Group and ShopRite.

Camden has been cited as a food desert for its lack of full service grocery stores.

Redner's to add third store in Delaware

Redner's Markets, the employee-owned company that currently operates 40 Warehouse Markets and 16 Quick Shoppes in PA, DE and MD, has finalized plans for its third Delaware location. The new store will measure approximately 48,000 square feet and feature a self-service fuel station on the property. It will be located on DuPont Highway (Rt. 13) in Camden, DE.