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WESTERN BEEF PLANS NO-FRILLS STORE PROTOTYPE

RIDGEWOOD, N.Y. -- Western Beef here plans to introduce a price-impact store prototype this year in the New York City borough of Queens, Peter Castellana Jr., president, told SN.The format, slated to be 10,000 to 12,000 square feet, would sell a bare-bones selection of no-frills groceries and some packaged perishables but would carry no major brands and have no service departments, Castellana said."It's

Russell Redman

May 6, 1996

1 Min Read
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RUSSELL REDMAN

RIDGEWOOD, N.Y. -- Western Beef here plans to introduce a price-impact store prototype this year in the New York City borough of Queens, Peter Castellana Jr., president, told SN.

The format, slated to be 10,000 to 12,000 square feet, would sell a bare-bones selection of no-frills groceries and some packaged perishables but would carry no major brands and have no service departments, Castellana said.

"It's not a labor-intensive store. Mostly it's pack out and you take -- a very basic, cost-cutting operation," he explained. "It's really designed for the low-income community to give them a real value for food. Consumers who buy their food needs from this store could save anywhere between 25% and 35% off a normal food bill and get all quality products."

The urban-area supermarket chain still was in negotiations to purchase the store site as of late last month, according to Castellana, who noted that the company has made no definite plans to roll out the concept. "We have preliminary plans drawn, and we're going to see how it takes off," he said.

"I think there's a very big market for it. We feel this would do very well in the low-income community," Castellana added.

Western Beef also reported first-quarter results for the 13 weeks ended March 29. Net sales rose 17.4% to $79.35 million from $65.57 million a year ago, primarily due to three new stores that opened after first-quarter 1995, according to the company, which opened its 18th store last month in Manhattan. Net income for the quarter climbed 53.4% to $1.26 million from $797,000, and same-store sales were up 1%. Earnings per common share rose to 23 cents from 15 cents.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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