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Tops to add SPoT Express cafés to stores

Regional grocer also debuts Instacart home delivery in Vermont

Russell Redman

July 19, 2019

3 Min Read
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Tops Friendly Markets has teamed up with SPoT Coffee Ltd. to open Spot Express cafés in select stores.

Toronto-based SPoT Coffee said yesterday that it has signed a franchise agreement with Tops to install a SPoT Express in the grocery chain’s supermarket at 1740 Sheridan Dr. in Buffalo, N.Y. That marks the second franchise deal between the companies. In late June, SPoT Coffee announced plans for a SPoT Express in the newly renovated Tops store at 3980 Maple Rd. in Amherst, N.Y.

The first SPoT Express, now under development by Tops, replaces a Tim Horton’s café. Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops is adding the SPoT Express locations to stores as part of a $40 million store upgrade and online grocery expansion program announced in May.

“We have two SPoT locations confirmed: one full SPoT cafe at Tops on Sheridan Drive in Buffalo and one Express location inside Tops on Maple Road in Amherst, N.Y. Only one of those stores previously had a Tim Horton’s,” said Tops spokeswoman Kathleen Sautter. “We are continuously looking for ways to enhance our shoppers experience and are evaluating more locations as part of our remodel process.”

Other Tops supermarkets with coffee franchise locations include a store in Lockport, N.Y., with a Tim Horton’s and a store in New Paltz, N.Y., with a Starbucks Coffee.

Related:Click-and-collect expansion picks up at Tops

SPoT Coffee designs, builds, operates and franchises community-oriented cafés and Express cafés in the northeastern United States. The company currently has 20 locations in upstate New York and one in Connecticut, including four cafés in Dash’s Market grocery stores in New York.

"We are very proud to be chosen by Tops to be part of their multimillion-dollar in-store upgrades and improvement program, which includes extensive interior remodels and updated exterior facades, landscaping and parking lots," SPoT Coffee Chief Operating Officer Dan Hensley said in a statement. "We are equally excited with this tremendous opportunity of developing a multi-franchise strategic alliance with Tops, knowing very well that we are both equally and ardently committed to provide our customers the highest-quality services and enduring experiences in our related industries of shopping and hospitality.”

tops_Spot

Besides site improvements, Tops’ store remodel program focuses on enhancing the shopping experience, notably in fresh departments. That includes expanded produce, bakery and deli/carryout café areas. The retailer also is enlarging its assortment of natural, organic and gluten-free products, which will be integrated throughout the main aisles.

Related:Tops store-refresh program gets under way

Earlier this week, Tops held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly upgraded store in Leroy, N.Y. In addition to store design and facilities improvements, highlights of the $1.6 million investment include an expanded refrigerated produce area, more antibiotic-free meat and seafood choices, and a bigger selection of beers — including local favorites — in the Tops Brew Market section.

Tops_grocery pickup

Meanwhile, Tops continues to expand online grocery delivery through its partnership with Instacart. The regional grocer yesterday launched same-day home delivery in eight more stores, including in Vermont. The rollout of the service, dubbed Tops Home Delivery, includes stores in Northfield and Rutland, Vt.; Union City, Pa.; and Bolton Landing, Warrensburg, Carmel, Sherrill and Buffalo, N.Y.

“We’re excited to bring even more convenience to the shoppers across our various markets,” commented Jillian Sirica, manager of digital marketing for Tops. “This expansion marks our 12th since Tops launched Instacart services in 2017, and the first in Vermont.”

Overall, Tops now has 142 of its 159 supermarkets in New York, northern Pennsylvania and Vermont offering home delivery service. The chain also recently expanded its Instacart-powered click-and-collect service, called Tops Grocery Pick Up, to about 20 stores after launching the service last fall.

Read more about:

Tops Friendly Markets

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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