Kings Super Markets Mulls Growth from Possible A&P/Pathmark Deal: Report
PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Bruce Weitz, president and c.e.o. of Kings Super Markets here, told a local newspaper yesterday that the company would be interested in buying "some or all" of the stores that are likely to come on the market in the wake of A&P's proposed purchase of Pathmark.
A&P's purchase would come under review by the Federal Trade Commission, which will probably require the grocers to sell some stores to avoid oversaturation in the Northeast market.
Although the Bergen Country Record article mentioned Whole Foods Market and Foodtown as possible competitors for any stores that come up for sale, Weitz said Kings would "probably stand in the best position because we're so small," adding, "We don't have a lot of stores near [A&P and Pathmark]."
He also said that money was not an issue for Kings in any possible store purchases.
In other Kings news, the company said it has hired ex-Pathmark executive Kevin Heron as category manager of grocery, a newly created position. Heron reports to Vince Colatriano, Kings' v.p. of grocery, dairy, and frozen foods.
Before joining Kings, Heron most recently served as senior category manager at Pathmark. He amassed 25 years of experience in the supermarket industry at Pathmark as well as Acme Markets and A&P, in areas such as space management, corporate brand development, and grocery procurement and merchandising.
Kings Super Markets operates 26 stores in New Jersey and Garden City, N.Y. on Long Island.
A&P's purchase would come under review by the Federal Trade Commission, which will probably require the grocers to sell some stores to avoid oversaturation in the Northeast market.
Although the Bergen Country Record article mentioned Whole Foods Market and Foodtown as possible competitors for any stores that come up for sale, Weitz said Kings would "probably stand in the best position because we're so small," adding, "We don't have a lot of stores near [A&P and Pathmark]."
He also said that money was not an issue for Kings in any possible store purchases.
In other Kings news, the company said it has hired ex-Pathmark executive Kevin Heron as category manager of grocery, a newly created position. Heron reports to Vince Colatriano, Kings' v.p. of grocery, dairy, and frozen foods.
Before joining Kings, Heron most recently served as senior category manager at Pathmark. He amassed 25 years of experience in the supermarket industry at Pathmark as well as Acme Markets and A&P, in areas such as space management, corporate brand development, and grocery procurement and merchandising.
Kings Super Markets operates 26 stores in New Jersey and Garden City, N.Y. on Long Island.