The Pennsylvania-based Gerrity's Supermarkets has joined the ranks of 47 other members in Wakefern Food Corp.'s retailer-owned U.S. cooperative.
Owned by the Fasula family, Gerrity's Supermarkets will be rebranded as Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer under the Wakefern trademark. There are 11 Fresh Grocer locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, each owned independently by Wakefern cooperative members.
“Our family is excited to join the Wakefern cooperative, which is committed to helping family-owned businesses like ours gain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing and challenging industry,” Joe Fasula, owner of Gerrity's, said in a statement. “Wakefern will help us save our customers money and provide an enhanced assortment of products to our customers, including high-quality, on-trend private-label foods, and increased buying power of a cooperative.”
As the Fasula family transitions their 10 Gerrity's Supermarkets to the new Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer Banner, customers should expect to see private-brand products like Bowl & Basket and Paperbird become available.
"The Fasulas are a strong addition to our cooperative and another family-owned businesses that provide an exceptional experience and quality fresh foods for customers and a great place to work for associates,” said Joseph Colalillo, Wakefern's chairman and CEO, in a statement. “Membership in our cooperative allows independent operators like the Fasulas to maintain their entrepreneurial spirit while benefiting from the scale and services Wakefern offers. We look forward to welcoming the Fasula family to Wakefern.”
Related: The Fresh Market Marks Anniversary With Exclusive Products; Publix Readies for Kentucky Debut