Grace Colalillo has joined ShopRite of Hunterdon County, bringing a human resources background to her family’s supermarket business, which operates five ShopRite stores in Flemington, Greenwich and Clinton, New Jersey, and Yardley and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
A member of the third generation of the Colalillo family to help lead the business, she returns after an HR career spanning recruiting, benefits administration, talent acquisition, employee engagement and organizational development. Growing up, she worked in the family’s stores in departments ranging from floral and bakery to online shopping and front-end operations.
“My dad always says people are the most important part of our business. That’s why we’re able to do what we do in supporting our stores and communities,” she said. “I want to continue learning the business from the ground up, spending time in our stores and understanding the many different roles that make our company successful.”
Colalillo earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in human resources from Fairfield University in 2022 and holds the SHRM Certified Professional credential. During her time at Fairfield, she served in student leadership roles focused on mentoring and training, experiences that shaped her passion for helping people grow. At Crane Company – most recently as corporate benefits specialist – she supported health, welfare and retirement programs for more than 4,000 associates, led annual open enrollment, helped transition benefit plans through acquisitions and designed a companywide wellness program.
She joins her father, Joe Colalillo, president of ShopRite of Hunterdon County and a past chairman of Wakefern Food Corp., the retailer-owned cooperative behind the ShopRite banner; her mother, Jeannie; and her brother, Sam, who joined the business in 2023.
Speaking of her brother, the Oct. 15 press release noted, “Grace believes their different experiences and perspectives will help strengthen the company while building on the legacy and values set by their parents and grandfather.”
Related: Third-Generation Colalillo Joins ShopRite Of Hunterdon County
Their grandfather, Joseph A. Colalillo, founded the family’s grocery business nearly 70 years ago. ShopRite of Hunterdon County today employs more than 1,300 associates in its five stores.
“It’s an honor to become part of the next generation of leadership and to help support the associates, customers and communities that have been at the heart of our family’s business for decades,” Grace Colalillo said.