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Price Chopper doubles down on store investment in Kansas City

New supermarkets, remodels in pipeline under $54 million capex plan

Russell Redman

February 19, 2020

1 Min Read
Price Chopper Enterprises-storefront-KC
Price Chopper Enterprises said its 2020 capital expenditures program will more than double that of the previous two years.Price Chopper

Kansas City-area grocer Price Chopper Enterprises plans new stores and remodels this year under a $54 million-plus capital expenditures program.

Price Chopper said this week that preliminary projects include the opening of new stores in Gardner, Kan., and Smithville, Mo., and upgrades for locations in Overland Park and Leavenworth, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.

The remodels will focus mainly on the expansion of fresh departments, including produce, foodservice, bakery, deli and meat, according to the Overland Park-based supermarket chain.

Price Chopper noted that its 2020 capex more than doubles that of the previous two years and brings the company’s total investment to over $104 million over the past three years. The retailer said the investment will add approximately 300 new jobs.

“As the grocery market leader, it’s important for us to reinvest into the communities we serve,” Price Chopper Enterprises President and CEO Brian Haaraoja said in a statement. “We know the impact of these investments will spur growth in new areas, while also adding to the job force.”

The investment will be made by the local Cosentino, Ball, McKeever and Queen families, who own Price Chopper’s 51 supermarkets in greater Kansas City, including locations in Kansas and Missouri.

Related:New CEO to take helm at Price Chopper Enterprises

Price Chopper Enterprises oversees the marketing, advertising and shared business operations for the stores and provides services for four other Price Chopper supermarkets in Des Moines operated by DGS Foods, a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers.

Haaraoja took the helm as Price Chopper’s CEO last April, succeeding Peter Ciacco. Haaraoja joined the company from H.A.C. Inc., the parent company of Homeland Foods, where he served as vice president of marketing and merchandising.

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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