“The Shaw's was basically a pretty good operation, but we tend to be a higher-volume operation,” he said. “We took the basic store Shaw's had and added things to it — we upgraded the bakery, the foods-to-go, appetizers, the deli, seafood and produce.”

Marion and Ray Miller at their Enfield, Conn., ShopRite, where they expanded the store’s perishables offerings.

The store also added more promotional displays to accommodate ShopRite's high level of promotional activity.

Miller said his company advertised the new store as a “homecoming” of sorts. “We played on the fact that customers here do recognize ShopRite,” he said, noting that many customers had often traveled to other ShopRite locations to take advantage of the chain's aggressive “can-can” sales of canned product.

Wakefern's expansion in Connecticut and New York follows closely behind its entry into Maryland, where Klein's Family Markets last year joined the co-op and converted its eight stores to ShopRite. Recently Wakefern unveiled plans for a ninth store in the state, to be operated by Philadelphia-based Collins Family Markets. Additional expansion has occurred in recent years in Delaware and southern New Jersey.

Miller said ShopRite, has been able to retain customers because of its strong value perception. “During the recession, we found that customers became more loyal, and they perceived us as one of the better choices,” he said.