A&P to Run In-store Starbucks

MONTVALE, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc. here has signed a licensing agreement to run Starbucks stores inside some A&P Fresh and Gourmet/Fine Foods stores in the Northeast. The first locations are slated to roll out in New Jersey in November.

The stores will offer a full beverage menu in addition to Starbucks baked goods and such general merchandise as mugs and CDs. Wi-Fi will also be available at some locations, A&P said. The associates working at them will be certified baristas assigned exclusively to the Starbucks operations, the grocer said.

"This is a perfect complement to the elevated level of customer service that is increasingly defining A&P," noted Rebecca Philbert, the grocer's s.v.p. of merchandising, in a statement.

Company spokesman Rick DeSanta described the eventual scope of the openings as "a work in progress," and said that further information would be released closer to the actual initial rollouts.

A&P operates 337 stores in eight states and the District of Columbia under the A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, Sav-A-Center and Food Basics banners.
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