Weis Markets
Encyclopedia
Weis Markets, Inc. is a chain of supermarket
s based in Sunbury, Pennsylvania
, with a presence in Pennsylvania
, New York
, New Jersey
, West Virginia
, and Maryland
. In 2011, it operates 162 stores in five states.
The second Weis store opened in 1915 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. Harrisburg would remain an important market for Weis, helping to anchor the central Pennsylvania region that Weis would dominate for decades.
The Weis brothers expanded their chain rapidly, opening dozens of small, in-town grocery stores throughout central Pennsylvania. Their chain peaked at 115 stores in 15 central Pennsylvania counties by 1933. At the time, the modern self-service supermarket was coming into its own. The format was pitted against the traditional model, followed by Weis Pure Foods, in which customers gave their orders to a clerk who would retrieve the requested items. As the modern supermarket model began to take hold, the Weis brothers began to adapt. They closed several corner grocery stores in Harrisburg in 1938, replacing them with their first self-service, consolidated supermarket, which they dubbed the Weis Super Market. Over the next two decades, the company continued with this strategy, and it had consolidated all of its corner grocery stores into supermarkets—35 in total—by 1955.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Weis Markets (as it was known by then) expanded out of its familiar territory, first reaching York and then Lancaster by 1960. The company expanded into adjacent states in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. In 1967, the company ventured outside of Pennsylvania for the first time. It opened stores in Hagerstown
and Frederick, Maryland
, and it also purchased the six-store Albany Public Markets chain based in Albany, New York
. Those expansions brought the company to a total of 65 stores. To the west, it expanded to western Pennsylvania, reaching as far west as Altoona
and Philipsburg
, but has since made no efforts to expand farther west. Weis would later shutter the Albany Public Markets chain. A couple were later occupied by Grand Union
. Weis bought at least one former Kings location when the company went out in 1984.
Weis's territorial expansions came with mixed results. A company with rural, central Pennsylvania roots, it was able to expand into the Baltimore, Maryland, region with great success, taking on such established players as Giant (Landover)
and Safeway
. The company expanded further in Maryland toward Washington, D.C. and Virginia, with much less success. The Woodbridge, Virginia
store (#125) was picketed by union members. It retreated from that market, first closing most of its stores in Montgomery County, Maryland
, and finally closing its Woodbridge, Virginia
(#125) and Manassas, Virginia
(#136) stores. By 2006, no stores were left in Virginia. Weis' foray into New Jersey came with mixed results as well, as it was forced to close a new store in Flanders in 2002—only two years after opening it. The three stores currently in New Jersey continue to face stiff competition from Ahold owned Stop & Shop, the ShopRite
cooperative, and, to a lesser extent, A&P
.
Today, Weis thrives in the rural areas, small towns, and third class cities of northeastern, central, and southern Pennsylvania. It has successfully expanded to the Scranton
and Wilkes-Barre
markets, and to the Altoona
-State College
area, but it has been shown less interest in the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia (though there is a location in nearby Lansdale
) and Pittsburgh.
Most recently, Weis Markets is participating in an in-store digital advertising network.
Weis operates some stores as Save-a-Lot
under license from Supervalu. At one time, the company operated a few stores as Big-Top Market, but as of 2006, no more stores exist under this banner.
In 2009, Weis completed the purchase of 11 independently owned "Giant" stores in Broome County, NY. In 2011, it sold or closed its seven remaining SuperPetz units, a move which is expected to enhance the company's overall profitability.
, began aggressive expansion during the 1990s, building newer, larger stores with vast selections. The expansion caught Weis off-guard. While Weis was able to kick into gear with an expansion project of its own, it has not yet fully recovered. Giant still remains the market leader throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Weis also faces tough competition in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
. Although it is the market leader, Giant (Carlisle) and Stauffer's of Kissel Hill are major competitors.
In Maryland, Weis competes with Acme
, Giant Eagle, Safeway, and Giant (Landover)
.
In New Jersey, Weis's chief competition includes A&P
, Giant-Carlisle's sister chain, Stop & Shop, and ShopRite
.
In New York, Weis competition includes Wegmans, and Price Chopper
.
was the subject of a key 1960s United States Supreme Court case concerning the "public forum doctrine." The Court held that a union picket in the supermarket parcel pickup area and parking lot was permissible because the "shopping center here is clearly the functional equivalent to the business district" of a city. Amalgamated Food Employees Union v. Logan Valley Plaza, Inc., 391 U.S. 308 (1968).
, grocery stores cannot sell beer unless they operate a cafe. As of August 2011, Weis sells beer at 11 locations.
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
s based in Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunbury is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, just downstream of the confluence of its main and West branches. The population was 9,905 at the 2010 census...
, with a presence in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, and Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. In 2011, it operates 162 stores in five states.
History
Weis Markets was founded as Weis Pure Foods in 1912 in Sunbury, Pennsylvania by two brothers, Harry and Sigmund Weis. Their store has been noted as "revolutionary", as it did not operate on credit—sales were only for cash. At the time, similar stores operated on credit, allowing customers to build a tab that would be paid periodically. Cash sales were a sign of a growing working class earning steady paychecks—and they also helped lower prices by up to 25%.The second Weis store opened in 1915 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. Harrisburg would remain an important market for Weis, helping to anchor the central Pennsylvania region that Weis would dominate for decades.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Weis Markets (as it was known by then) expanded out of its familiar territory, first reaching York and then Lancaster by 1960. The company expanded into adjacent states in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. In 1967, the company ventured outside of Pennsylvania for the first time. It opened stores in Hagerstown
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
and Frederick, Maryland
Frederick, Maryland
Frederick is a city in north-central Maryland. It is the county seat of Frederick County, the largest county by area in the state of Maryland. Frederick is an outlying community of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of a greater...
, and it also purchased the six-store Albany Public Markets chain based in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. Those expansions brought the company to a total of 65 stores. To the west, it expanded to western Pennsylvania, reaching as far west as Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
and Philipsburg
Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania
Philipsburg is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located at . It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, but has since made no efforts to expand farther west. Weis would later shutter the Albany Public Markets chain. A couple were later occupied by Grand Union
Grand Union
- Transport :* Grand union, a four-way, double track rail junction often found on tram systems* Grand Union Canal, a waterway running from London to Birmingham in the United Kingdom...
. Weis bought at least one former Kings location when the company went out in 1984.
Weis's territorial expansions came with mixed results. A company with rural, central Pennsylvania roots, it was able to expand into the Baltimore, Maryland, region with great success, taking on such established players as Giant (Landover)
Giant Food of Landover, Maryland
Giant Food LLC is a supermarket chain with 202 stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. It is headquartered in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, near Landover. Giant often is known as Giant-Landover to avoid confusion with sibling company Giant-Carlisle...
and Safeway
Safeway Inc.
Safeway Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is North America's second largest supermarket chain after The Kroger Co., with, as of December 2010, 1,694 stores located throughout the western and central United States and western Canada. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern...
. The company expanded further in Maryland toward Washington, D.C. and Virginia, with much less success. The Woodbridge, Virginia
Woodbridge, Virginia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi...
store (#125) was picketed by union members. It retreated from that market, first closing most of its stores in Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, and finally closing its Woodbridge, Virginia
Woodbridge, Virginia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi...
(#125) and Manassas, Virginia
Manassas, Virginia
The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county...
(#136) stores. By 2006, no stores were left in Virginia. Weis' foray into New Jersey came with mixed results as well, as it was forced to close a new store in Flanders in 2002—only two years after opening it. The three stores currently in New Jersey continue to face stiff competition from Ahold owned Stop & Shop, the ShopRite
ShopRite
ShopRite, Shoprite, Shop Rite or Shop-Rite may refer to:* Shoprite , the South African food distributor* Shoprite , the Isle of Man-based food retailer that once traded in the United Kingdom...
cooperative, and, to a lesser extent, A&P
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P, is a supermarket and liquor store chain in the United States. Its supermarkets, which are under six different banners, are found in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. A&P's liquor stores, known as...
.
Today, Weis thrives in the rural areas, small towns, and third class cities of northeastern, central, and southern Pennsylvania. It has successfully expanded to the Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
and Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
markets, and to the Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
-State College
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
area, but it has been shown less interest in the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia (though there is a location in nearby Lansdale
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Lansdale is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Early in the 20th century, its industries included agricultural implement works, a canning factory, foundries, brickyards, a silk mill, and manufacturers of cigars, stoves, shirts, rope, iron drain pipe,...
) and Pittsburgh.
Most recently, Weis Markets is participating in an in-store digital advertising network.
Banners
In addition to the Weis Markets banner, the company once operated supermarkets under the King's and Mr. Z's banners. Those two banners were centered primarily in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley and were acquired in mid-1990s acquisitions. Since their acquisitions, these stores have been remodeled or replaced. In 2009, they were rebranded to the Weis banner, as was its Cressler's store in Shippensburg. In 2011, it converted its three Scot's Lo-Cost stores, located in Montoursville, Mill Hall and Coal Township, to the Weis banner.Weis operates some stores as Save-a-Lot
Save-A-Lot
Save-a-Lot is a discount supermarket chain headquartered in Earth City, Missouri, near St. Louis, United States. The subsidiary of Supervalu comprises approximately 1,250 stores in the United States with over $4 billion in annual sales....
under license from Supervalu. At one time, the company operated a few stores as Big-Top Market, but as of 2006, no more stores exist under this banner.
In 2009, Weis completed the purchase of 11 independently owned "Giant" stores in Broome County, NY. In 2011, it sold or closed its seven remaining SuperPetz units, a move which is expected to enhance the company's overall profitability.
Competition
Weis faces significant competition from various food retail formats, including conventional retailers, mass merchant retailers, discount retailers, drug stores, convenience stores, and dollar stores. Weis's chief competition comes in its traditional home base of central Pennsylvania. Giant (Carlisle), a supermarket chain owned by AholdAhold
Ahold is a major international supermarket operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Ahold is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.-History:...
, began aggressive expansion during the 1990s, building newer, larger stores with vast selections. The expansion caught Weis off-guard. While Weis was able to kick into gear with an expansion project of its own, it has not yet fully recovered. Giant still remains the market leader throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Weis also faces tough competition in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
. Although it is the market leader, Giant (Carlisle) and Stauffer's of Kissel Hill are major competitors.
In Maryland, Weis competes with Acme
Acme Market
Acme Markets is a supermarket chain in the mid-Atlantic, southern, and northeastern United States. Acme is owned by Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based corporation SuperValu. Acme has its headquarters in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania, near Malvern, a Philadelphia suburb.Acme began in 1891, when...
, Giant Eagle, Safeway, and Giant (Landover)
Giant Food of Landover, Maryland
Giant Food LLC is a supermarket chain with 202 stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. It is headquartered in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, near Landover. Giant often is known as Giant-Landover to avoid confusion with sibling company Giant-Carlisle...
.
In New Jersey, Weis's chief competition includes A&P
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P, is a supermarket and liquor store chain in the United States. Its supermarkets, which are under six different banners, are found in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. A&P's liquor stores, known as...
, Giant-Carlisle's sister chain, Stop & Shop, and ShopRite
ShopRite
ShopRite, Shoprite, Shop Rite or Shop-Rite may refer to:* Shoprite , the South African food distributor* Shoprite , the Isle of Man-based food retailer that once traded in the United Kingdom...
.
In New York, Weis competition includes Wegmans, and Price Chopper
Price Chopper
Price Chopper Supermarkets is a chain of supermarkets headquartered in Schenectady, New York. The chain began operating as Central Markets in Schenectady, New York in 1933 and changed its name to Price Chopper in 1973. It is presently owned by the Golub Corporation and run by Neil and Jerel Golub...
.
Private Brand Labels
Weis Markets sells a variety of house brands under the following private brand labels:- Weis Quality (advertised as equivalent to national brands)
- Weis Five Star (premium)
- Market Street (deli meat)
- Weis Steakhouse Angus (meat)
- Weis PA Proud Choice Angus Beef
- Valutime
- Paws Premium
- TopCare
- Full Circle
Corporate officers
- Robert Weis — Chairman
- Jonathan Weis - Vice Chairman, Secretary
- David Hepfinger - President and CEO
- Kurt Schertle - Senior Vice President,Sales and Merchandising
- Jim Marcil - Senior Vice President Human Resources
- Harold Graber - Senior Vice President for Real Estate and Development
- Scott Frost - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
- Mike Mignola, Vice President, Store Operations
- Bruno Garisto, Vice Center Store Sales and Merchandising
- Dan Koch, Vice President, Fresh Merchandising
- Robert Mawyer - Vice President, Information Technology
- R. Kevin Small, Vice President, Construction and Development
- Joe Kleman - Vice President, Distribution
- Wayne Bailey, Regional Vice President
- Brad Kochenour, Regional Vice President
- Jay Ropietski, Regional Vice President
- Joe Harris, Regional Vice President
- Jerry Hatch, Operational Vice President
- Michael Limauro, Vice President, Loss Prevention
Store of the Year
Weis Markets selects a store of the year every year. Store #125 in Camp Hill, PA is the most recent recipient. Store #31 in Lewisburg, PA is the runner-up.Supreme Court Case
The Weis supermarket in Park Hills Plaza along U.S. Route 220 in Altoona, PennsylvaniaAltoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
was the subject of a key 1960s United States Supreme Court case concerning the "public forum doctrine." The Court held that a union picket in the supermarket parcel pickup area and parking lot was permissible because the "shopping center here is clearly the functional equivalent to the business district" of a city. Amalgamated Food Employees Union v. Logan Valley Plaza, Inc., 391 U.S. 308 (1968).
Beer Sales
Weis Markets is one of the few supermarkets in Pennsylvania able to sell beer in in-store cafes at some of its locations. In PennsylvaniaAlcohol laws of Pennsylvania
The alcohol laws of Pennsylvania are some of the most restrictive in the United States of America, and contain many peculiarities not found in other states.- For consumption off-premises :Pennsylvania is an alcoholic beverage control state...
, grocery stores cannot sell beer unless they operate a cafe. As of August 2011, Weis sells beer at 11 locations.