Food Emporium Remodel Part of Store Investment Plan
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. Inc. (A&P) will unveil its newly remodeled The Food Emporium store located on 1066 Third Avenue in New York City on Friday, May 18, as part of the Northeast grocer’s comprehensive store investment strategy. A&P’s plan to upgrade its store footprint over the next five years is in line with its mission to be the best neighborhood food and drug store by enhancing customers’ overall shopping experience.
“Improving our store footprint is one of our top priorities,” said Sam Martin, president and CEO of Montvale, N.J.-based A&P. “We analyzed each store and devised a tiered upgrade plan based on each store’s need. Our goal is to renew the majority of our store footprint over the next five years.”
The 16,000-square-foot Food Emporium on Third Avenue is the company’s fifth location to be renovated since November 2011. In common with two other Upper East Side locations, the store now offers a larger selection of gourmet foods and more locally grown products in a welcoming store environment with updated fixtures.
“The improvements to this store, which include an expanded merchandising assortment, a better layout and new fixtures, show our renewed commitment to the Upper East Side community,” noted Tom O’Boyle, A&P EVP of merchandising, marketing and supply & logistics.
As well as The Food Emporium overhauls, two New Jersey Pathmark stores were also recently upgraded to reflect the cultural preferences of the communities they serve: The Bergenfield Pathmark now features a stronger kosher focus, while the Weehawken Pathmark carries more products that cater to Hispanic residents.
Changes made with the urban customer in mind include ground-floor café seating; an expanded hot food section; a broader selection of grab-and-go deli and bakery items; a bigger assortment of craft and imported beers; an improved organic, natural and specialty food offering; additional fresh-cut produce; and revamped seafood and meat departments.
Additionally, more than 20 new associates were hired and trained to better serve the needs of customers in every department of the store.
On grand-reopening day, doors open at 7 a.m., and the first 20 people who enter the store will receive a $25 gift card. Festivities will also include free samples, coupons, recipes, giveaways, supermarket trivia games, and live healthy- cooking demonstrations from A&P’s corporate registered dietitian, Jacqueline Gomes.
A&P operates 320 stores in six states under the following banners: A&P, Best Cellars, Food Basics, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, Superfresh and Waldbaum’s.