Shaw's Remodel Gives Produce New Look

ROSEANNE HARPER

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — In a remodel in New Hampshire, Shaw's has thrown the light on perishables, particularly pushing fresh produce into a more prominent position.

The 49,297-square-foot store recently celebrated its grand reopening, and while the store was not expanded in square footage, selected sections within departments were reorganized and ramped up.

“The produce department wasn't expanded in terms of footage, but was reconfigured to be more prominent when customers walk in the door,” Steve Sylven, company spokesman, told SN.

“We did expand our offering, too, in produce. Now, we carry over 100 organics daily. That's an increase of 25 from before the remodel.”

Even though the store hasn't been enlarged, it's layout design has been newly tailored to meet the needs of Shaw's customers, Shaw's President Mike Stigers explained in a statement made at the time of the reopening late last month.

“The redesigned store will bring a greater selection and variety to our West Lebanon customers, while offering a fresh, new feel to their shopping experience,” he said.

The remodel features wider aisles, lower shelves, equipment upgrades and some added perishable products. For example, the store's Wild Harvest area, its popular natural food section, has been reorganized to make room for a 12½-foot frozen case, and a gluten-free section.

A refurbished in-store bakery features fresh breads and gourmet desserts.

“The bakery department is mostly brand new as we added new tables, a new creme case and a new frozen cake case. In seafood, we went to pods, which breaks up the seafood department by section. The deli and meat cases are also new,” Sylven said. And a new wine department, featuring some local wines, has been added.

It's not clear whether this is the beginning of a sweep of remodeling throughout the 169-unit Shaw's. Officials have said they are continually evaluating operations to provide a great shopping experience for its customers.

“Part of that involves remodeling stores,” Sylven told SN. “However, for competitive reasons I can't disclose what our future remodel plans are for other stores.”

Shaw's, one of the oldest continuously operated supermarkets in the United States, has been in operation since 1860. The chain is part of the nationwide Supervalu family of grocery stores, which also includes Osco and Star Market.