Latest news with #DanAken
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Wegmans is opening four new stores in US
By 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. 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. 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 .' 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 .
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Walmart rival is opening four new stores across US after 'thousands of requests'
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.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wegmans Is Expanding to Its Most Western Location Yet
The beloved East Coast grocery store chain Wegmans is expanding to its westernmost location yet. Fans of the store in Pennsylvania could not be more excited at the my town, you could throw a stone in any direction and hit the same grocery chain. One "giant" looms large here, with the exception of a singular Whole Foods and a lone Trader Joe's on the periphery. If we need a quick box of cereal or head of lettuce, we're most likely running to the local Giant Eagle, whether we like it or not. However, that will soon change with the introduction of another new grocery go-to that's beloved in the Northeast. Yinzers, rejoice! Wegmans is coming to the Pittsburgh area for the first time. Wegmans announced in the new year that it will be opening a new location in the Pittsburgh suburb of Cranberry Township—right down the road from where I live, and I couldn't be more thrilled. No shade to Giant Eagle, but as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. Wegmans, which started in Rochester, N.Y. in 1916, has grown to 110 locations across the East Coast, but has never been this far west before (though its Erie, Pa. location is a close second). So what makes this big news around these parts? Other than the fact that our options are somewhat limited to one dominant chain, Wegmans is a trusted name in the grocery game that is sure to shake up our suburban routines. Now we'll have a new place to shop for all the ingredients we need for our pecan balls, Pittsburgh salads, and chipped ham. Wegmans boasts a "village concept" in its stores, which makes shoppers feel like they are meandering through an outdoor market in a busy village square versus going up and down aisles of a mega-store (which, in reality, they still are). And what village would be complete without a central hub? The heart of any Wegmans is arguably its market café, offering famished customers restaurant-quality prepared foods, like its King salmon rolls, meatball subs, and General Tso's from the hot bar. Not to mention the chocolate chip cookies and rotisserie chickens that are so good, they could pass for homemade. Beyond the café, the shelves are lined with a vast selection of grocery staples, and fans swear by the store brand for bargains on seltzer, pasta sauce, dressings, and even cereal. Wegmans is also known for its top-tier produce, meats, and seafood, all offered at a better value compared to competitors. Is it any wonder I'm excited about this new development? And I'm not the only one. "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, in a press release. "We're excited to have finally found the right location to bring Wegmans to the Pittsburgh area." Other fans on Reddit are with me, too: "I dropped to my knees in Giant Eagle," exclaimed one, in the posting that featured the announcement. "It's one of the best grocery stores there is. Plus it's one of the best companies to work for," added another. Similarly, Facebook users chimed in with comments like, "Dreams do come true" and "Such exciting news, thank you!" Although there's no official timeline yet for the construction of the 115,000 square-foot Cranberry Wegmans, it's expected to open in 2027. I say, the sooner the better—I need all the reminders of my New York roots I can get here in the 'Burgh. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
