Walmart rival is opening four new stores across US after 'thousands of requests'

Daily Mail​

16-06-2025

Wegmans is finally answering fans' pleas — with four new store openings this year, including one in a state it's never entered before.
The beloved grocery chain, known for its cult-like following and devoted shoppers, is expanding again after a blockbuster start to 2025.
Two new stores in Long Island and Lake Grove, New York, opened in February to huge crowds and glowing reviews.
Now, Wegmans is preparing to open doors in Maryland on June 25 and in Connecticut — its first ever — on July 23.
But the expansion doesn't stop there. The grocery chain also confirmed plans for 2026 locations in North Carolina and, at long last, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — a city where fans have been begging for decades.
'We've received thousands of requests for a Wegmans in the Pittsburgh region since opening our first Pennsylvania store over 30 years ago,' said Dan Aken, vice president of real estate and store planning.
Wegmans operates more than 110 stores across the US and employs around 54,000 people — a fraction of grocery giants like Walmart, which has over 2 million workers globally.
But what Wegmans lacks in size, it makes up for in loyalty — and featured at or near the top of America's favorite store rankings. Its grand openings attract lines around the block, and the Lake Grove debut was no exception.
The chain's newest New York stores in Long Island and Lake Grove drew in hundreds of shoppers on their 'insane' grand openings.
'Total zoo for the grand opening, but delightfully pleasant staffers and, after miscues at the other two local stores, it's great they realized they needed a sub shop from the start,' an X user wrote about the Lake Grove store.
'We went to the grand opening of a new Wegmans Supermarket here on Long Island. 100,000 square feet it is the largest on the Island. People Lined up yesterday to wait to be the first in the door,' another shopper said on X.
Over 1,000 employees were hired to work in the New York stores alone, and the chain is planning to employ thousands of more workers before the other locations open.
While its nothing compared to Walmart's 2.1 million workers worldwide, unlike the retailer, it was not forced to slash about 1,500 jobs in May.
It's also been modernizing and, like its competitors, has been exploring the idea of AI technology in stores.
One of those new changes is a revamped mobile app and website, which the grocer's vice president Erica Tickle said was to 'create a single customer experience that blends the best of both in-store and online shopping.'
Wegmans also opened its first sushi restaurant named Next Door last April in New York, which Reddit users called ' good but not great.'
Walmart, one of Wegman's biggest competitors, has over 1.6 million workers in the US
Wegmans is not the only thriving grocery store gaining momentum in the US.
Costco has been adding locations and revamping its stores despite its loss to Wall for America's favorite grocery store.
Its membership price hike and food court beverage swap left customers fleeing to other stores.
However, it satisfied shoppers by expanding its gas station hours.
Trader Joe's is a strong competitor in part because of its viral bags, which customers resell for over $1,000.
Like Wegmans, Costco and Trader Joe's are in the process of opening new US locations this year.
Other chains that are unafraid to go up against various retail empires include Sam's Club, Target, and Aldi.