As it nears the conclusion of its 100th anniversary, it’s been another sensational year for Wegmans. On November 6, the Rochester, NY-based merchant opened its 92nd store and fourth of 2016 in Charlottesville, VA. The debut of that 120,000 square foot unit marked the first time in company history that it has opened four stores in new locations in a calendar year. Those other openings took place in Midlothian, VA (May); Short Pump, VA (August); and Owings Mills, MD (September).
The ambitious, family-owned retailer plans to add to its store counts and expand its geographical map in the next three years. It is slated to open three new units next year in Hanover Township, NJ; Montvale, NJ; and Medford, MA. Stores scheduled to debut in 2018 include Lancaster, PA; Chantilly, VA; and Natick, MA. Stores also in the fold with no opening date yet announced will be located in Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Navy Yard) and Tysons Corner, VA.
In the past month Wegmans also confirmed that it has signed its fourth lease in the fast-growing Raleigh area of North Carolina. It first announced its intention to enter the Tar Heel state earlier this year with a store in Cary. In the next few months, a second Cary mega-store was added to its roster, followed by additional new stores in Chapel Hill and Raleigh announced in the last two months. The first of those “Triangle” stores could open in 2018.
Wegmans has also had some proposed deals fall through (usually because of developer issues). In the past year, the company confirmed that near or tentative deals in Washington, DC (Walter Reed), Marple, PA and Newport News, VA had fallen through.
With the addition of a dozen new stores over the past five years, per-store revenue ranks above every other supermarket merchant in the country and total sales this year surpassed the $8 billion mark.
Wegmans family ownership is now well into its fourth generation. Colleen Wegman and her sister Nicole serve as president and senior VP respectively. Their father, Danny Wegman, is considered to be one of the best chief executives in the retail business. Danny Wegman followed another great leader – his father, Bob Wegman – who passed away in 2006. It’s been an incredible 100-year run that began when Bob Wegman’s father, John and his brother, Walter, opened the Rochester Fruit & Vegetable Company in 1916.
Finally, we asked Jo Natale, Wegmans veteran VP of media relations, two questions: What makes the Wegmans brand so unique? And what has the company done in its 100th year that could be considered innovative?
“What’s the magic? There is just one answer: our people. Customers call us and send us thousands of letters and emails each year to say how much they love shopping at Wegmans. Yes, they point to the selection, the quality, the beautiful stores and the low prices. But, what they mention most is our employees and the incredible service they provide, and they share amazing stories about things that employees have done to help them. The Wegman family’s philosophy has always been that great customer services starts with meeting the needs of employees, and it turns out, it works,” she declared.
“This year, in terms of innovation, I’d point to our E-Z Oven Meals, developed by our chefs. These are ready-to-cook entrees that can be put in the oven or in a slow cooker (right in their vacuum packaging). They check all the boxes for customers: easy preparation and clean-up, delicious, healthy, and affordable. I believe we are the only retailer offering these.”