Wakefern Food Corp. is leveraging technology, new growth opportunities and the power of its family-owned member companies to ensure success for generations to come. That’s the message leadership delivered during the cooperative’s annual shareholders’ meeting Oct. 16 at the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Wakefern reported retail sales of $20.7 billion for the 52-week fiscal year ending Sept. 27, a 3.1 percent increase from the prior year. Cooperative members opened three ShopRite stores and one The Fresh Grocer during the same period. Wakefern also acquired grocer Morton Williams, adding 17 stores in Manhattan, the Bronx and Jersey City.
“We are embracing bold ideas, exploring new business models and seizing opportunities – all with a clear focus on building a sustainable future,” Wakefern Chairman Sean McMenamin told the gathering. “The entrepreneurial spirit and bold thinking that established Wakefern nearly 80 years ago – building us into the largest retailer-owned supermarket cooperative – will continue to guide us in the future.”
In addition to Wakefern members and retail and corporate teams in attendance, thousands of employees across the cooperative joined virtually to hear leadership report on the 2025 fiscal year and share plans for 2026, ahead of its 80th anniversary.
“We’re focused on growing our brands and wholesale business and expanding market share – without losing sight of what makes us unique,” added Wakefern President Mike Stigers. “We will continue to unlock our full potential and push the limits of what is possible while never taking our eye off our core business and family-owned member companies.”
As part of the cooperative’s vision-forward plan, Wakefern welcomed family-founded New York City grocer Morton Williams to the cooperative in 2025. The move will preserve Morton Williams’ rich legacy and deep neighborhood connections while leveraging Wakefern’s logistical and wholesale resources and retail expertise.
It follows the 2024 acquisition of Philadelphia-based specialty grocer Di Bruno Bros. and brings Wakefern’s family of supermarket banners to eight, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Morton Williams, Di Bruno Bros. and Dearborn Market.
The cooperative also added new wholesale customers this year while continuing to implement innovative technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the shopping experience in-store and online. During the meeting, leadership congratulated Wakefern members for the investments they made in building new stores and remodeling others.
Wakefern also continued its fight against food insecurity through its signature hunger-fighting initiative, ShopRite Partners In Caring, and expanded its longtime partnership with the LPGA.
Wakefern and ShopRite gave out a record $1.8 million in grants to charitable organizations at this year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic. They also launched new initiatives, including a scholarship program for students, more sponsorships for athletes on the LPGA Tour and a special TeamSmile dental care clinic in conjunction with Colgate that helped more than 140 local children.
Also at the meeting, McMenamin announced the retirement of three longtime members from Wakefern’s board of directors: Irv Glass, Glass Gardens; Ned Gladstein, Sunrise ShopRite, and Larri Wolfson, ShopRite of Lincoln Park. He thanked them for their decades of “invaluable service in helping make Wakefern one of the strongest retailers in the Northeast.”
The Chairman’s Award went to Paul Patten, an industry veteran and Wakefern’s group VP of center store with 43 years of service to the cooperative. The special recognition is presented during the annual meeting to honor those who have made exceptional contributions to Wakefern.
“Paul’s leadership and vision helped drive Wakefern’s success over the years, but his kindness, empathy and humor have shaped his friendships and relationships in this industry. Paul is a reminder of how our people are always the most important part of our business,” McMenamin said.
Wakefern shareholders elected to the board of directors include: McMenamin, chairman; Dominick J. Romano, vice chairman; Marshall Klein, treasurer; Lawrence Inserra Jr., and Patrick Burns, assistant treasurers; Richard Saker, secretary; Shawn Ravitz and Jordan Coe, assistant secretaries; Sandra Brown; Thomas Cingari; Joseph Colalillo; Geoffrey Eickhoff; Harry Garafalo; Jon Greenfield; Andrew Kent; David Maniaci; Jonathan Slawsby; Leonard Sitar; John J. Sumas and David Zallie. Stigers also was appointed as president.
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