A&P urbanizes Food Emporium

MONTVALE, N.J. A&P is reurbanizing Food Emporium. On Aug. 1, the supermarket operator reopened a former Food Emporium in Greenwich, Conn. as its newest A&P Fresh unit.

While rife with gourmet and upscale touches--including a traditional European market design with an innovative "shops within the store" format combining fresh foods and everyday groceries--the company isn?t climbing the Epicurean heights that the latest generation of Food Emporiums scale. Indeed, according to a company spokeswoman, all Food Emporium units outside of Manhattan--and, indeed the majority reside there--will be converted to Fresh outlets as part of a five-to-seven-year plan.

Thus, Food Emporium will become a Manhattan-focused operation, while former banner stores will retain upscale features, but also will take advantage of the suburban-friendly features that Fresh units offer, including a greater emphasis on grocery and consumables.

Food Emporium currently operates about 16 units in Manhattan and 12 in the city?s Connecticut and New York suburbs.