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Former Clemens Stores in Pennsylvania Reopening as SuperFresh units in mid-November
MONTVALE, NJ - November 2, 2006 - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., operator of SuperFresh has completed the purchase of six Clemens Markets stores in Pennsylvania from C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. C&S previously acquired the stores from the Clemens family, which founded the business in 1939.
The stores are located at US Highways 202 and 73, Center Square; 322 W. Bridge Street, New Hope; 616 E. Main Street, Lansdale; 2333 W. Main Street and Forty Foot Road, Lansdale, 731 Route 113, Souderton and 130 Main Street, Trappe. With the exception of the in-store pharmacy and liquor operations which remain staffed and open for business as usual, the stores are currently closed for conversion to SuperFresh. The company plans to resume full operation of all stores on or about November 17.
Harry Austin, A&P Regional Vice President in charge of SuperFresh, said "We look forward to serving these fine communities through the addition of the Clemens locations to our banner. The reputation built by the Clemens family through its operations over the years speaks for itself. Likewise, we will be delivering the high standards of quality and service that shoppers expect and deserve, as we grow our brand in this market."
The company is staffing the stores with a combination of former Clemens store employees and workers from other area SuperFresh units, under its collective bargaining agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1776 in Philadelphia. "We welcome Clemens Store Directors Dave Saitta, James Dunn, Frank Duplessis, Gregory Staats, Bill Vitiello and Jeff Smith, and Pharmacy Managers Jennifer Miles and Linda McAndrew to SuperFresh. We're also pleased to provide ongoing opportunities to the Clemens employees who will continue with us at these locations, while also offering positions to long-term SuperFresh associates pursuant to our labor contract. We'll be working diligently through these store directors and their combined teams to deliver the best possible shopping experience for customers," Mr. Austin said.
To ready its new stores for customers' Thanksgiving needs, SuperFresh is focusing conversion work on the refreshment of store facilities and fixtures, conversion of exterior and interior signage, the expansion and improvement of produce departments and other fresh food assortments, and the introduction of its high-quality America's Choice and Master Choice corporate brand products.
Other elements being introduced are:
- The SuperFresh Bonus Savings Card program, with convenient in-store signup tables staffed for two weeks following the store re-openings.
- The SuperFresh Price Freeze program, which locks in low prices on over 5,000 popular items throughout the store.
- Attractive weekly ad specials offering dramatic savings in all departments.
- The service advantage of the 'Make It Personal' customer care commitment, ensuring a productive and pleasant shopping experience every time.
- Our gift card rack program featuring sought-after gift cards from over 30 major vendors, including American Express, Home Depot, ToysRUs and the like.
"We're proud to bring SuperFresh to these locations, and look forward to becoming both the supermarket of choice and a good corporate neighbor in these communities," Mr. Austin said.
SuperFresh currently operates 75 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, southern New Jersey and Delaware. It is owned and operated by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., Montvale, New Jersey.
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