SHOPRITE STORES SIGN ON WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS

ELIZABETH, N.J. -- More than 180 ShopRite stores serviced by Wakefern Food Corp. here began accepting the American Express card last month.

Wakefern. "It will allow us to better serve many of our customers who have told us they prefer it as a payment method."

Sheridan added that ShopRite hopes for additional sales and customer loyalty because of the high number of card holders in its market area.

ShopRite stores join the small but steadily growing number of retailers offering the card, including Bruno's, Birmingham, Ala.; Hughes Family Markets, Irwindale, Calif.; Giant Food, Landover, Md.; Smitty's Super Valu, Phoenix, and Ralphs Grocery Co., Compton, Calif.