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Gristedes to Buy Wakefern Products

Gristedes stores have joined Wakefern Food Corp.'s burgeoning wholesale business, the companies said last week. A new supply deal between Gristedes, a division of Red Apple Group here, and Wakefern, the Elizabeth, N.J.-based cooperative, brings more than 7,000 ShopRite private-label goods, as well as branded nonfood and health and beauty items, to Gristedes' 40 stores in metro New York.

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

January 7, 2008

1 Min Read
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JON SPRINGER

NEW YORK — Gristedes stores here have joined Wakefern Food Corp.'s burgeoning wholesale business, the companies said last week.

A new supply deal between Gristedes, a division of Red Apple Group here, and Wakefern, the Elizabeth, N.J.-based cooperative, brings more than 7,000 ShopRite private-label goods, as well as branded nonfood and health and beauty items, to Gristedes' 40 stores in metro New York.

“We were looking for a supply agreement that would allow us to be more competitive in today's environment,” John Catsimatides, chief executive officer of Red Apple, told SN. He said the company could continue to buy White Rose products from wholesaler Associated Grocers of Robesonia, Pa.

Catsimatides said the agreement with Wakefern would provide some cost savings, but he declined to be specific.

Wakefern formally established a wholesale division last year, but has long provided supply services to various independent retailers, according to Karen Meleta, a spokeswoman for Wakefern.

Wakefern said Gristedes stores will feature ShopRite's organic and specialty imported items.

About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

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