A&P PROTOTYPE ADDS STAFFED SUSHI BAR TO ITS DELI SECTION

ROSEANNE HARPER

WOODLCIFF LAKE, N.J. -- A&P has launched a staffed sushi bar in the deli department of its new fresh food prototype store here.

The launch represents a change in the chain's approach to merchandising sushi. Previously, this store, like other selected A&P units in which the chain has placed sushi, had offered prepacked sushi in the seafood department, at the back of the store. The product, sourced prepacked from outside, was offered self-service only.

The new sushi station at the store here is operated by Advanced Fresh Concepts, Compton, Calif., a company that runs sushi bars in supermarket chains across the United States.

Officials at A&P could not be reached for comment about why the change from self-service to service was made. A spokesman at AFC said service sushi sales at the new A&P unit are meeting AFC's expectations.

The service station, added early last month, is the first service element in the store's fresh foods aisle. It displaced part of a display of prepacked sandwiches and salads in a 12-foot refrigerated case that starts off the fresh foods area.

A 4-foot section of the case is now devoted to packages of sushi on stepped shelves. A banner above the station says, "Sushi." Two sushi chefs prepare fresh sushi rolls at a station just above the grab-and-go display.

As reported in the July 1 issue of SN, this store, which the Montvale, N.J.-based chain opened this spring, is designed to spotlight ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat items.

A 22-foot salad bar, set lengthwise in the middle of the aisle, is the first element seen inside the store's entrance.