Acme Markets’ reopening of a South Philadelphia store last week is part of a broader comeback strategy the company is waging to boost its well-known but tarnished brand.
Jim Perkins, who was named president of the Malvern, Pa.-based supermarket chain in February 2013, said new ownership has meant Acme is making changes more quickly and once again investing profits back into the stores. He made his comments last week as Acme was unveiling a remodeled store at 10th and Reed streets.
Upgrades are planned for stores in Willingboro, N.J.; Devon, Pa.; and Chestertown, Md. A store in Beach Haven, N.J., will be razed and rebuilt after the summer season.
“We felt like Acme was a Jeanie in a bottle that’s been tarnished,” Perkins said by phone. “The previous owners raised prices. We asked, ‘How do we get back customers we lost,’ and they’re coming back fast. People want to come back ... We have a great brand but we were mishandling it. It was a great brand for 123 years, but the last few were not sterling. We’re taking back control, though of course a lot was taken from us. It’s still an iconic brand.” Read more about this story on PBJ.com.
