Wegmans supermarkets withdraws all tobacco products from sale.
Wegmans is a mediums sized, family owned, chain of upmarket supermarkets, based in New York and surrounding states.
They are perennially on the "best companies to work for" list, and go for the organic high end crowd - kinda upstate Whole Foods, but with bit broader product base.
They are stopping tobacco sales at all stores, at their own initiative
Wegmans to Stop Selling Cigarettes
For Release: 01-04-2008
Contact Information:
Jo Natale, director of media relations 585-429-3627Rochester, NY - It was announced today that beginning Sunday, February 10, cigarettes and other tobacco products will no longer be sold at Wegmans. Until February 10, only remaining inventory will be available for sale; no new product will be ordered.
Explaining the decision CEO Danny Wegman said simply, "As a company, we respect a person's right to smoke, but we also understand the destructive role smoking plays in health." Signs posted in stores notifying customers of the decision express a similar sentiment.
Jo Natale, Wegmans' director of media relations, acknowledged that tobacco is a 'very profitable category' for the company but did not share specific numbers.
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Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 71-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland. The family-owned company, founded in 1916, is recognized as an industry leader and innovator. Wegmans has been named one of the '100 Best Companies to Work For' by FORTUNE magazine for ten consecutive years, ranking #1 in 2005. In 2007, Wegmans ranked #3 on FORTUNE's list
I'll just sign my entire paycheck over to them from now on.
I'd been contemplating the local Giant's again, who moved upmarket in response to a Wegmans store moving into town, but no more (except for an occasional foray for Newfoundland Atlantic Shrimp - mm, almost as good as the real thing from Iceland).
I will still sweep the coastal Whole Foods and TJs when I get to leave town, Wegmans will understand.
Maybe some letters to other grocery chains and retailers would encourage them to take the same stand.
Wow! I live in Rochester, and love to shop at Wegmans. I hadn't heard this yet. Way to go!
I love Wegmans. I sorely miss a store of their quality in Hyde Park. Pulling the tabacco is just another point in their favor
Wegmans is the best supermarket ever!!!!!!!!!