Fresh Grocer, UPenn in litigation over Acme deal in University City

The Philadelphia Business Journal reported last week that Acme signed a lease with the University of Pennsylvania for a 34,500 square foot store on Walnut Street in University City. However, Fresh Grocer currently operates a store there and doesn't plan to leave, even though Penn notified them that their lease expired on March 31.

Penn's claim that Fresh Grocer missed the deadline to renew its lease is disputed by Wakefern, the cooperative that Fresh Grocer is a member of. Attorneys are now heavily involved...

Lidl secures sites in Cumberland County, NJ

The Philadelphia Business Journal reported yesterday that Lidl has secured three Cumberland County, NJ locations - Millville, Upper Deerfield and Vineland. It is presumed that the stores will open in 2018, when anywhere from 75 - 125 new Lidl stores are slated to open between New Jersey and Georgia.

The company, which plans to operate stores that are 36,000 square feet, intends to challenge Aldi and other grocery retailers in the United States. It is already Aldi's biggest rival in Europe. Lidl has reportedly secured stores all throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

Acme to bid on bankrupt A&P stores; several Pathmarks and Superfresh stores to close immediately

One day after A&P filed for bankruptcy for the second time in five years, Acme announced today that it will bid to acquire 76 A&P, Superfresh and Pathmark stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

In a statement by A&P earlier today, the company said it plans to sell 120 stores in total for about $600 million. The food retailer has 296 stores overall, and in its bankruptcy filing it lists assets and liabilities of more than $1 billion each.

Analysts have speculated that Ahold (Giant, Stop & Shop) may bid on certain A&P locations as well.

A report this afternoon by Natalie Kostelni on the Philadelphia Business Journal's website said that A&P has asked a bankruptcy judge "to let it quickly close 25 underperforming stores that have sustained 'significant operating losses.'" A list of stores slated for closure is below.

A story on PhillyVoice.com pointed out that A&P operated more than 15,000 stores early in the 20th century. By 2010, the company was a fraction of its former self and filed for bankruptcy. A couple years later it emerged as a private company after obtaining financing from investors.

Acme is a subsidiary of Albertsons, which acquired Acme in 2013, and the Malvern, PA-based company operates 107 stores.

Stores slated for quick closure:

A&P (2101 Route 35, Holmdel, NJ)
A&P (325 Highway 35 South, Cliffwood, NJ)
Pathmark (1764 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY)
Pathmark (115 Belmont Avenue, Belleville, NJ)
Pathmark (450 West Swedesford Road, Berwyn, PA)
Pathmark (2150 Middle Country Road, Centereach, NY)
Pathmark (85 Ackerman Avenue, Clifton, NJ)
Pathmark (895 Paulison Avenue, Clifton, NJ)
Pathmark (50 Racetrack Road & Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ)
Pathmark (561 Route 1, Edison, NJ)
Pathmark (420 McDade Boulevard, Folsom, PA)
Pathmark (651 North Stiles Street, Linden, NJ)
Pathmark (1043 Route 9 North, Old Bridge, NJ)
Pathmark (840 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA)
Pathmark (85 Franklin Mills Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA)
Pathmark (1256 Indian Head Road, Toms River, NJ)
Pathmark (300 South Best Avenue, Walnutport, PA)
Pathmark (3901 Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington, DE)
Superfresh (1301 Skippack Pike, Center Square, PA)
Superfresh (2105 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE)
Superfresh (863 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA)
Superfresh (1851 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA)
Waldbaums (2 Westbury Avenue, Carle Place, NY)
Waldbaums (3620 Long Beach Road, Oceanside, NY)
Waldbaums (1510 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY)

Target Express scouting sites in Philly

The Philadelphia Business Journal and other media outlets reported earlier this week that Target is scouting sites in Philadelphia for its Express stores. Target Express, typically about 20,000 square feet and located in an urban environment, offers fresh food, grab-and-go food, a pharmacy, beauty, electronics and other products.

The first Target Express store opened last summer in Minneapolis, close to the University of Minnesota.

Acme in King of Prussia to take on Wegmans

The Philadelphia Business Journal and The Times Herald reported this week on Acme's recent makeover in King of Prussia, as the former market leader attempts to battle with Wegmans and other local food retailers for market share. According to the articles, Acme has lowered prices on 7,000 grocery items, eliminated its loyalty card and made some cosmetic tweaks.

According to Acme Markets President Jim Perkins, an industry rating system has Acme jumping eight points in recent weeks. The system measures service, cleanliness, speed at checkout, freshness and quality of products. Perkins said that a one or two point jump is considered a significant increase, so he was thrilled by the eight point improvement.

Perkins took over as Acme President last March, after parent-company Supervalu was sold to a group led by Cerberus Capital Management. Acme operates under the company division of New Albertsons, Inc.

Acme's debut in King of Prussia came 50 years ago in 1963. That same year JC Penney and E.J. Korvette opened at The Plaza at King of Prussia. Acme relocated to its present location in the early 90's as the mall expanded.