Wakefern members on list of Top 50 Small Chains

Supermarket News released its annual list of the Top 50 Small Chains and Independent Supermarkets. Listed at number two on the list (but actually tied for the top spot) was Inserra Supermarkets, a New Jersey-based Wakefern member that operates 22 stores under the ShopRite banner. Inserra has annual sales of $1.2 billion, according to the story that accompanied the list.

Also on the list:

#10 - Redner's Warehouse Markets
#35 - Brown's Super Stores (Wakefern/ShopRite - PA and NJ)
#37 - Perlmart (Wakefern/ShopRite - NJ)

First PriceRite supermarket in New Jersey opens in Garfield

The first PriceRite supermarket not owned by Wakefern is also the first PriceRite in the state of New Jersey, according to a story on NewJersey.com last week.

The 41,000 square foot store is in Garfield and owned by a division of Inserra Supermarkets, which owns 22 ShopRites in New Jersey and New York. Wakefern operates 55 PriceRite stores in six other states.

PriceRite, founded by Wakefern in 1995, competes with limited assortment, budget chains like Aldi and Bottom Dollar. The stores carry a "narrower variety," according to Lawrence Inserra III.

Typical PriceRite stores do not have butcher or deli workers, but do sell pre-packaged meats, and operate on a no-frills model with closeout-style pricing. They also tend to be in more urban areas and where median household incomes are generally lower than in the suburbs.

ShopRite damaged by Sandy reopens in snow storm

A ShopRite in Hoboken that had been closed since Hurrican Sandy reopened on February 9, the same day Winter Storm Nemo dumped about a foot of snow on the area. Reports say shoppers braved the weather and lined up to see the redesigned store, which features green technologies, new glass doors on dairy and freezer cases, improved lighting and environmentally friendly systems.

The store is owned by Inserra Supermarkets.