North Jersey grocery stores: How the competition stacks up

Some of the sharpest operators in the business are competing for a slice of North Jersey's grocery sales, with new rivals entering the market every year. Here's how the competition stacks up.

The big three

ShopRite: With 21 stores in Bergen and Passaic counties, this company is the one to beat. It is part of the Wakefern food cooperative, which gives it the buying power of national chains combined with local owners who have deep roots in the neighborhoods where they operate, and who can listen to and respond quickly to customers.

With 21 stores in Bergen and Passaic counties, this company is the one to beat. It is part of the Wakefern food cooperative, which gives it the buying power of national chains combined with local owners who have deep roots in the neighborhoods where they operate, and who can listen to and respond quickly to customers. Stop & Shop: 19 stores in Bergen and Passaic. A division of the Dutch food giant Ahold, Stop & Shop is a close second to ShopRite. The company is determined to stop the competition from eating into its sales, and has expanded its organic and prepared food offerings.

19 stores in Bergen and Passaic. A division of the Dutch food giant Ahold, Stop & Shop is a close second to ShopRite. The company is determined to stop the competition from eating into its sales, and has expanded its organic and prepared food offerings. Acme: 10 stores in Bergen & Passaic. This Philadelphia-based brand re-entered the North Jersey market after A&P collapsed. Acme took over A&P and Pathmark stores and converted them within a few days to Acme stores. The rapid turnaround, however, didn't allow time for remodels that would wow shoppers. Acme has already closed one New Jersey store it acquired from A&P, in Newark. A second, in Bergenfield, is set to close, too.

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Niche and neighborhood markets

Kings: This 81-year-old chain, which grew with an early strategy of locating its stores next to New Jersey's suburban train stations, owns the "nicer and willing to pay for it" upscale niche. Its forte is chef-prepared meals ready for reheating at home, and customer service. It has four stores in Bergen County, and a total of 25 stores, 23 of them in New Jersey.

This 81-year-old chain, which grew with an early strategy of locating its stores next to New Jersey's suburban train stations, owns the "nicer and willing to pay for it" upscale niche. Its forte is chef-prepared meals ready for reheating at home, and customer service. It has four stores in Bergen County, and a total of 25 stores, 23 of them in New Jersey. Key Foods: A cooperative of independently owned stores, it sells to affiliated and independent stores in Bergen County and Passaic County.

A cooperative of independently owned stores, it sells to affiliated and independent stores in Bergen County and Passaic County. Foodtown: This used to be a major name in New Jersey, but many Foodtown stores were sold, or converted to other brands in the 1990s. Now, Nicholas Markets, owners of Foodtowns in Washington Township, North Haledon, Colonia, and Cedar Grove, are winning fans and freshening the Foodtown image. There are six Foodtown stores in Bergen and Passaic with various owners.

This used to be a major name in New Jersey, but many Foodtown stores were sold, or converted to other brands in the 1990s. Now, Nicholas Markets, owners of Foodtowns in Washington Township, North Haledon, Colonia, and Cedar Grove, are winning fans and freshening the Foodtown image. There are six Foodtown stores in Bergen and Passaic with various owners. Whole Foods: Bergen County has four of these stores, the most of any county in New Jersey. It specializes in organic and hard-to-find specialty and health items, and its recent purchase by Amazon is expected to help it lose its "Whole Paycheck" nickname.

Bergen County has four of these stores, the most of any county in New Jersey. It specializes in organic and hard-to-find specialty and health items, and its recent purchase by Amazon is expected to help it lose its "Whole Paycheck" nickname. Trader Joe's: This California-based chain has five stores in Bergen and Passaic counties. Its stores are about a third of the size of a traditional supermarket, and most of the products it sells are Trader Joe's private label, meaning you can't find them anywhere else. Like Whole Foods, they emphasize organic and specialty items but at lower prices.

This California-based chain has five stores in Bergen and Passaic counties. Its stores are about a third of the size of a traditional supermarket, and most of the products it sells are Trader Joe's private label, meaning you can't find them anywhere else. Like Whole Foods, they emphasize organic and specialty items but at lower prices. Fairway: New York Fairway stores were legendary for their prices and selections, but the private equity expansion of the chain has floundered. Fairway has two stores in New Jersey, both of them in North Jersey, in Paramus and Woodland Park.

The discounters

Walmart: Known for its promise of everyday low prices, the company has made food a main ingredient of its sales strategy and improved its food departments. It has four stores in Bergen & Passaic as well as supercenters in North Bergen and Secaucus that draw North Jersey shoppers.

Known for its promise of everyday low prices, the company has made food a main ingredient of its sales strategy and improved its food departments. It has four stores in Bergen & Passaic as well as supercenters in North Bergen and Secaucus that draw North Jersey shoppers. Target: This retailer has also made food an important part of its stores, but to a lesser extent than Walmart. It has six stores in Bergen and Passaic.

This retailer has also made food an important part of its stores, but to a lesser extent than Walmart. It has six stores in Bergen and Passaic. Aldi: A German-based chain that operates small, limited assortment stores stocked largely with its own private labels. It is expanding aggressively in New Jersey and it has a head start on its chief rival, Lidl, another German discount chain, which is preparing to open its first New Jersey stores. Aldi has three stores in Bergen County and one in Passaic.

The international markets

HMart: Based in Lyndhurst, it is one of the fastest growing Asian-themed chains in the country and has six stores in Bergen County, with a seventh planned for Paramus. California-based Asian chain 99 Ranch is preparing to open in Hackensack.

Based in Lyndhurst, it is one of the fastest growing Asian-themed chains in the country and has six stores in Bergen County, with a seventh planned for Paramus. California-based Asian chain 99 Ranch is preparing to open in Hackensack. Other ethnic specialty markets include Italian market Uncle Giuseppe's in Ramsey and kosher supermarket Seasons in Clifton.

Everyone else

In addition to the more than 110 supermarkets listed above, North Jersey residents also buy food at dozens of neighborhood butcher stores, fish shops, and bakeries, as well as at dollar stores, drugstores, and convenience stores.