2020 Wholesaler of the Year

From page 33

As we continue to navigate this unprecedented time, could you detail some of the shifts in the grocery shopping experience? Can you pinpoint some changes for the average consumer that perhaps appeared temporary at the time but instead will likely become the new normal?

We know lifestyle habits are changing due to the current health emergency, with our shoppers spending more time home schooling and home cooking than ever before. We also know people are purchasing more of everything online.

The events of 2020 accelerated the adoption of online grocery shopping and that is why we continue to focus on adding capacity and enhancing our popular online shopping offerings, including ShopRite from Home.

Are there any initiatives Wakefern would like to showcase at this time? Please discuss any innovative approaches in merchandising, buying, marketing or other aspects that you would like to talk about.

Wakefern continues its roll out of ShopRite’s award-winning flagship store brands, Bowl & Basket and Paperbird, and recently kicked off the expansion and rebranding of its other award-winning store brand, Wholesome Pantry and Wholesome Pantry Organic.

The popular Wholesome Pantry brand of accessible foods, free-from additives and artificial ingredients, was re-introduced in October with an updated look and feel, select new and innovative products and a fresh tagline, “Food Set Free.”

Wakefern also recently unveiled innovative plans to deliver wholesome and affordable fresh foods and meal solutions to customers.

Fresh to Table, unveiled this month at three ShopRite stores, features a convenient store-within-a-store format that gives customers a whole new way to access fresh meal solutions and on-trend foods.

The Fresh to Table experience provides a “One Stop Dinner Shop,” showcasing five ingredient chef and dietitian inspired meals that change weekly, as well as “Prep & Eat,” “Grab & Eat,” and “Heat & Eat” sections.

The Fresh to Table experience also offers a digital component with the newly redesigned ShopRite Order Express app and integrated recipe shopping lists available through in-store QR codes and online, at ShopRite’s Recipe Shop available at shoprite.com.