C&S Wholesale Brings Back 11 Grand Union Stores

Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers said it's bringing 11 Grand Union supermarkets back to shoppers in New York State and Vermont. GU Markets LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers, will operate the stores. Last summer, C&S Wholesale Grocers entered into an agreement to buy Piggly Wiggly Midwest, which has operated out of Sheboygan, Wis., since 1911. 

“The Grand Union stores are back and better than ever," Bob Palmer, CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers, said in a statement. "We have taken an iconic brand that everyone loved and leveraged our best-in-class retail strategies to take this legendary brand to the next level. Shoppers will get great prices and an extensive selection of fresh and grocery staples. These stores have been specially designed and stocked to ensure braggingly happy customers with a customized local assortment." 

To celebrate the stores' grand openings, C&S Wholesale Grocers said it will host giveaways and in-store ceremonies and offer shoppers ¾ special deals. The company also said Grand Union stores will support local community partners through donations made during the events.

"Each of these Grand Union stores will showcase C&S’s already successful retail strategies and be supported by our strong wholesale supply chain," C&S Wholesale COO Eric Winn said in the company's news release. Winn said the stores will feature the company's "latest innovations in digital programming, loyalty, private brands, category management, promotional strategies, fresh assortment, pricing and marketing." 

Grand Union was founded in 1916 as one of the country's first supermarket concepts. Store locations and grand openings are as follows: