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.

Three Super Fresh stores to close in NJ

A&P has announced it will close three New Jersey Super Fresh stores in January. The stores are located in Evesham (Marlton), Haddon Township and Plainsboro.

Since New Jersey-based A&P filed for bankruptcy protection nearly two years ago, several of its banners have closed in the state, including many Pathmark stores and a Super Fresh. Stores have been closed elsewhere as well. The company emerged from bankruptcy as a private company earlier this year.

According to Super Fresh's website, there are currently 25 stores operating, including the three slated for closure. 12 are in Pennsylvania, six in New Jersey, five in Delaware and two in Maryland.

Overall, A&P operates more than 300 stores under the A&P, Food Basics, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, Super Fresh and Waldbaum's banners.