Wakefern annual sales top $16 billion

Wakefern Food Corp.’s sales climbed 4.2% to $16 billion in the 52 weeks ending Oct. 1, 2016.

The results were announced at Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern’s annual shareholder meeting in East Brunswick, N.J.

The member-owned cooperative said it opened 15 stores in the past year, including 11 ShopRites, two The Fresh Grocer stores, one Price Rite and one new format store, Dearborn Market. Those openings include some of the 12 stores acquired during A&P’s bankruptcy auction last year.

Wakefern also announced the launch of a new private label line called Wholesome Pantry, which is free from 110 artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

The company also used its annual meeting to announce the retirement of two members of its board of directors — Robert Clare, president of the ShopRite of Oakland, and Richard McMenamin, chairman of McMenamin Family ShopRite — and the addition of two new board members — Sean McMenamin, president of McMenamin Family ShopRite, and Shawn Ravitz, VP of administration for Supermarkets of Cherry Hill. The remainder of the board was reelected.

“Wakefern marks its 70th anniversary this year, and we are proud of our history of success and service in the communities where our family-owned and operated supermarkets are located. We’ve grown and changed a lot in the past 70 years, but our founding entrepreneurial spirit and principles remain the same. We will continue to grow and innovate to provide our customers with the very best shopping experience,” Wakefern Chairman and CEO Joseph Colalillo said in a statement.

Also at the meeting, Wakefern reelected Joe Sheridan as president and COO.

“From our retail dietitian program to our expanding private label lines and digital presence, Wakefern Food Corp. and our supermarket banners are meeting the future head-on to provide great customer experiences in store and online,” said Sheridan.