Spring savings bloomed and we are back to hosting traditional customer buying shows with an elevated twist. Suppliers who participated were able to showcase new products and emerging technologies, and customers walked away inspired by the ASG Academy keynote delivered by John Ross, CEO of IGA / Retail Learning Institute. Connections were made and we hope attendees enjoyed conducting business in this format and found the venue memorable.
Here’s a look back at the ASG 2023 Spring Buying Event:
601 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite 375N Washington D.C. 20004
Washington, D.C. – The National Grocers Association (NGA) presented the Spirit of America Award to Zulema Wiscovitch, co-CEO of Associated Supermarket Group (ASG), a company that supplies and provides retail solutions to one of the largest groups of independently owned and operated supermarkets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.
Wiscovitch received the award today during NGA’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
NGA’s Spirit of America Award has been presented since 1982 to individuals who provide leadership in the areas of community service and government relations and are committed to a free and independent food distribution system. Previous recipients of this prestigious aware include former presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.
“Zulema truly walks the walk when it comes to advocacy engagement, using her position and political relationships to educate elected officials on important issues that directly impact independent grocers.” said Greg Ferrara, president and CEO. “It’s because of her tireless efforts, willingness to be part of the process, and the engagement of her retailers that NGA has been able to advance our most important policy effort, reviving and enforcing the Robinson-Patman Act.”
Before joining ASG, Wiscovitch was executive director of the National Supermarket Association, a trade association representing independent supermarket owners on the East Coast. Prior to that position, she served in various regional marketing and corporate relations posts at Anheuser-Busch Inc. Earlier, she was vice president of Wiscovitch Associates Ltd., a family-owned public relations and public affairs agency with Fortune 100 clients.
Wiscovitch is originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rafael Urdaneta University. She has served on several non-profit boards, including The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, El Museo del Barrio, The Puerto Rican Family Foundation and the Hispanic Federation. She currently serves on the executive board of the National Grocers Association and the board of the Food Industry Alliance of New York.
Associated Supermarket Group Promotes Jonathan D’Onofrio to Executive Vice President of Operations
Port Washington, NY, August 15, 2022 – ASG announced the promotion of Jonathan D’Onofrio to Executive Vice President of Operations, effective immediately. He will report to Co-Presidents and Co-CEOs, Joe Garcia and Zulema Wiscovitch.
Jonathan D’Onofrio joined ASG as Vice President of Merchandising in 2018. Together with his team, he successfully redefined ASG’s merchandising and ad planning procedures with the manufacturer and broker communities, adding more value to the diverse independent supermarkets in the ASG retail network. Jonathan will continue to lead the merchandising and procurement department. In his new role as EVP, he will expand DSD and central bill partnerships, spearhead strategic initiatives to achieve the company’s short and long-term growth initiatives and will ensure that the company’s procedures are sustainable and efficient.
Prior to ASG, he was a team leader at Advantage Sales & Marketing. Before that, he held merchandising and procurement roles at C&S and White Rose. Jonathan earned a bachelor’s in finance from The College of New Jersey.
“Jonathan has done a great job strengthening our relationships with the vendor community and providing our customers an exceptional ad program. He is committed to the growth of our company and to finding new and creative ways to improve our value proposition for our customers,” commented Zulema Wiscovitch, ASG’s Co-President and Co-CEO. “Jonathan has demonstrated strong leadership and entrepreneurial abilities and we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in ASG’s future success. We are excited to announce his promotion and congratulate Jonathan on his new role as EVP of Operations,” said Joe Garcia, ASG’s Co-President and Co-CEO.
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About ASG: Associated Supermarket Group provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services, and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Compare, Compare Fresh, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Metropolitan City Market, Pioneer and other independently named stores.
Met Fresh to super-serve Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with its newest location
A supermarket designed for a thriving cultural scene
Port Washington, NY, June 1, 2022 – On Friday May 27th, Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) welcomed the fifth Hamdan family-owned supermarket to its 250+ retail network. Met Fresh arrives at a time when the population has increased, and the neighborhood lacked an extensive selection of high-quality food at competitive pricing.
Met Fresh stores are known for their impeccable customer service, fresh foods, and an iconic “beer cave” with international and craft selections. Met Fresh will be a one-stop shopping experience for its neighbors. The format is a full-service model, offering an extensive variety of natural, organic and specialty food products across all departments. It also features a large produce area, a juice bar, an in-store butcher, a bulk-buying section, and a café bar to enjoy an espresso while shopping. “The supermarket has everything a shopper needs in their pantry or on tonight’s dinner table” said Danny Hamdan, owner of Met Fresh. “This marks my third endeavor with the supermarket format, and it is one that Bed-Stuy residents have pleaded for, a modern supermarket that is an enjoyable shopping experience” he continued.
“Opening a Met Fresh, an anchor supermarket in Bed-Stuy for a thriving mixed residential and commercial area allows a neighborhood to flourish even more. It provides greater economic opportunity, not only for the Hamdan family, but also for the community,” said Joe Garcia, Co-CEO and Co-President of Associated Supermarket Group. “The ASG family is excited to welcome this new supermarket with our Met Fresh trademark, so consumers can benefit from our product selection, competitive pricing, and the personal touch that the Hamdan family offer in their stores. We wish Danny and his team much success”, said Zulema Wiscovitch, Co-CEO and Co-President of Associated Supermarket Group.
Met Fresh Supermarket is located at 410 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
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For additional photos, courtesy of Associated Supermarket Group, click HERE
About ASG:
Associated Supermarket Group provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services, and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Compare, Compare Fresh, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Metropolitan City Market, Pioneer and other independently named stores.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michelle Mendoza 516-256-3100 michelle.mendoza@asghq.com
Dumbo Market opens its second Brooklyn location, with Associated Supermarket Group Dumbo Market brings high quality food selection to Boerum Hill
Port Washington, NY, March 30, 2022 – On Friday March 25th, Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) welcomed Dumbo Market – Boerum Hill to its 250+ supermarket retail network. Dumbo Market is a next-generation, 12,000 square foot food destination with an extensive selection of organic and specialty items across all supermarket departments. Visionary store owner, Mohammed Mujalli, knows that most neighborhood grocery stores are considerably smaller with limited selections, but he’s challenging the big-chain status quo with the design of a two-level Dumbo Market. Complete with a sleek escalator to carry shoppers into a second level of the highest quality products and customer service, Dumbo Market provides its neighbors, and the greater Boerum Hill community an abundance of quality, nutritional value and food selection.
“Whether it’s for meal prepping or to pick-up dinner, Boerum Hill residents now have a supermarket with specialty prepared foods, a sushi counter, as well as an impressive selection of beers. We couldn’t be happier to serve Boerum Hill and working with ASG to meet the needs of this community,” said Mohammed Mujalli.
“The opening of Dumbo Market is a symbol of growth and prosperity, not only for the Mujalli family, but also for New York City after two of the most challenging years we have ever experienced,” said Zulema Wiscovitch, Co-CEO and Co-President of Associated Supermarket Group, “ASG will provide Dumbo Market with the merchandise and retail services it needs in today’s competitive supermarket retail landscape. Independent owners, like Mujalli, have a supplier standing behind them to ensure the store gets its fair share of product distribution to meet the discerning needs of Brooklynites,” she continued.
Dumbo Market is located at 205 Smith Street in Brooklyn, New York.
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About ASG: Associated Supermarket Group provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services, and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Compare, Compare Fresh, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Metropolitan City Market, Pioneer and other independently named stores.
For additional photos, courtesy of Associated Supermarket Group, click HERE
At a time when we need to show more humanity and compassion for our neighbors, the ASG Good Neighbor social media store tour brought back community connection to remind everyone how important acts of kindness are. In partnership with local social influencers, New York personalities shared and encouraged their fans, friends, and family to do small acts of kindness for others. Whether it was offering to pick-up groceries for someone, share a meal, or simply check-in on their neighbor, this campaign was about the small things one can do for others to build a better community. Embraced by store operators, the vendor community, and most importantly, by the public at large, #BeTheGoodNeighbor successfully delivered 14 MILLION impressions celebrating new stores and store anniversaries. 41 stores were celebrated through social dialogue between April and December 2021 for their connection to the communities.
A special thank you to The Good Neighbor sponsor brands and media partners for making the 2021 campaign a HUGE success for ASG independent retailers.
Specialty Grocer Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace Announces Grand Opening Date of January 14, 2022 for their Newest Location in Morris Plains, New Jersey
Melville, NY – January 12, 2022 – Specialty grocer, Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace is hosting a Grand Opening of their newest location at Briarcliff Commons in Morris Plains, NJ. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM, directly outside the store’s entrance. The store’s address is: 1711 Route 10, East in Morris Plains.
“We are thrilled to be opening our second location in the great State of New Jersey, specifically in the wonderful community of Morris Plains,” said Philip DelPrete, Co-founder and President of Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace. “This store is a premier location in Morris Plains, and we are thrilled to introduce the community to our unique, gourmet offerings and full-service shopping experience.”
“We look forward to bringing the Uncle Giuseppe’s experience to our new friends in Morris Plains!”, said Carl DelPrete, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace. “From our old-world recipes, to our customer service – we have over 250 team members working around the clock to deliver the customer experience the people of Morris Plains will enjoy! Customers can also look forward to sampling our food and listening to live singers on the weekends as they shop.”
Uncle Giuseppe’s Morris Plains location boasts more than 42,000 square feet of space providing customers with a premier, full-service supermarket featuring a gourmet Italian theme. They successfully launched their soft opening on January 11, 2022 and will host a Grand Opening on Friday, January 14, 2022. The Morris Plains marketplace is the grocer’s second store in New Jersey, following on the enormous success of its first location in the Garden State, in Ramsey. The new Uncle Giuseppe’s store at Briarcliff Commons brings this beloved brand to Morris County, offering key essentials as well as its unique selection of specialty items, all in a convenient location with ample parking.
Customers are encouraged to come experience all the Uncle Giuseppe’s brand has to offer, with favorites such as a full-service deli, specialty butcher, gourmet bakery with many scratch-made items, as well as its famous viewing rooms where pasta and mozzarella are made fresh daily. In addition, the store will include a full grocery, dairy, and frozen food department to ensure a complete shopping experience.
For added convenience, Uncle Giuseppe’s will also offer home delivery and curbside pickup for everyday grocery essentials, beginning February 1st. In addition, they will offer full-service catering with a designated catering specialist in-store, equipped to cater any event – large or small. Catering also begins February 1st, just in time to place orders for Superbowl!
“Briarcliff Commons is already the most visited shopping center in its market for every day needs, and we expect the addition of Uncle Giuseppe’s will increase visits further while introducing a one-of-a-kind, specialty grocery experience unmatched in this market,” said Chris Weilminster, EVP and COO of Urban Edge Properties.
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Photo credits: Kevin Gallagher, Food Trade News
ABOUT UNCLE GIUSEPPE’S MARKETPLACE
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace is a full-service specialty grocer that is committed to selling gourmet food made with traditional Italian recipes and using the highest quality ingredients. Founded in 1998, Uncle Giuseppe’s has established itself as the New York and New Jersey-metro areas leading Italian food retail destination, with stores that emphasize an extensive selection of fresh products, prepared foods, and hard-to-find specialty and gourmet offerings, along with a full assortment of conventional groceries. Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace is headquartered in Melville, NY with ten stores; eight located in New York (East Meadow, Smithtown, Port Washington, Port Jefferson Station, Massapequa, Melville, North Babylon and Yorktown Heights), and two in New Jersey (Ramsey and Morris Plains, and a part of the Associated Supermarket Group retail network. To learn more about Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, please visit UncleG.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Vice President of Credit Operations, Dennis Stickley Retires
50+ years of service
Port Washington, NY, January 12, 2022 – After a 50-year career, Dennis Stickley, the industry veteran of credit and financial lending begins his never-ending vacation with the new year. Dennis joined ASG in 2014, after 30-years at White Rose Food.
Dennis Stickley, a marketing graduate of LIU Post University and a US Army veteran began his finance career as a business writer for Dun & Bradstreet. Early into his professional career, Dennis moved into managing credit for PolyGram N.V., an entertainment company and major music record label by Dutch corporation Philips and German corporation Siemens. In 1984, Dennis transitioned into the grocery retail industry and joined White Rose as a Director of Financial Services and Credit. In 2014, he joined ASG as the Vice President of Credit Operations.
“We are grateful for Dennis’ dedication to ASG and our customers and for his many contributions to the business,” said ASG Co-Presidents and Co-CEOs, Joe Garcia and Zulema Wiscovitch. “Dennis brought his credibility, knowledge, and experience to ASG at a time when the market was troubled by the folding of legacy wholesaler, White Rose. Making Dennis a part of our leadership team allowed ASG to offer the continuity and expertise needed to successfully run our credit department. He was instrumental in shaping opportunities for customers to establish supermarkets, making the stores a part of the fabric of the communities they serve. On behalf of our management team and all of ASG’s employees we wish Dennis all the best as he embarks in this new chapter of his life.” Dennis’ last day with ASG was December 31, 2021. Fausto Mercado will replace him, as Vice President of Credit and Collections.
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About ASG: Associated Supermarket Group provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services, and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Compare, Compare Fresh, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Metropolitan City Market, Pioneer and other independently named stores.
Livoti’s Old World Market Joins the ASG Retail Network of Independent Stores
ASG to drive center store business with localized ad programs for central New Jersey’s gourmet specialty store
Port Washington, NY, September 7, 2021 – Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) is now the primary supplier for Livoti’s Old World Market, known by locals as one of New Jersey’s great Italian markets.
Livoti’s, touts fine produce, meat, grocery, dairy, deli, catering, and bakery departments as a destination for people who have a passion for cooking and great food. Livoti’s opened the Aberdeen store in 2010, it was the first of four Livoti’s stores; other locations include Freehold, Marlboro, and Middletown, New Jersey. Excelling in its perimeter services, Livoti’s is looking to ASG to help develop its center-store grocery offerings, elevate its marketing and advertising performance through traditional outlets and digital channels, as well as deepen its relationships with direct-store-delivery suppliers. “We are using analytical data comprised of category sales and consumer preferences. These insights will allow the store to merchandise and carry the top-selling grocery, dairy, and frozen items at competitive prices.” said Ken Scher, SVP of Business Development of Associated Supermarket Group.
“We believe ASG will be a major key to improving our center-store sales and competitiveness. Their strong DSD support as well as excellent customer support is very crucial to help us tackle issues we face during these times like out-of-stocks, product delivery, social media, and marketing.” said John Livoti, Chief Operations Officer of Livoti’s Old World Market. “We are constantly trying to improve in all facets, and we believe ASG will help us achieve those results,” he continued. Livoti’s, is a gourmet supermarket serving central New Jersey since 2010. “Having Livoti’s join ASG’s network will propel both companies to achieve further growth,” said Joe Garcia and Zulema Wiscovitch, Co-CEO and Co-President of Associated Supermarket Group, “ASG will provide Livoti’s the merchandising and product assortment needed to respond to their customers’ needs.” they continued.
Associated Supermarket Group, LLC (ASG) provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services, and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Compare, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Metropolitan City Market, Pioneer and other independently named stores.
Livoti’s Old World Market, established May of 2010, in Aberdeen, New Jersey has now grown to four locations in 11 short years. In that short time, Livoti’s has created a name for itself, establishing itself as a household name and Monmouth County’s #1 Italian Deli since 2014. The beautifully decorated stores create a warm and inviting atmosphere that complements the thousands of items made in house every day. The complete market offers a wide variety of traditional and Italian specialties. The Livoti markets offer gourmet and premium bakery, produce, meat, deli, mozzarella, olive bar, grocery, dairy, frozen, seafood and catering departments. Livoti’s prides itself in quality, consistency, and freshness, key factors to their success.
Pema Tshering Promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Associated Supermarket Group
Experienced leadership added for the next phase of the company’s trajectory
Port Washington, NY, August 30, 2021 – Associated Supermarket Group (ASG), a supermarket retail solutions company, announced the promotion of Pema Tshering to Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Pema Tshering joined ASG in March 2017, and previously served as Vice President of Finance. In her new role, Pema will head ASG’s Finance and Credit Departments and will be a member of the Credit Committee and Board of Directors.
“We are very excited to announce Pema’s promotion to the CFO position, a recognition of her leadership, stellar performance managing our finance group and her role during our MBO transaction. As we enter the next phase of the company’s trajectory, Pema’s contributions play a major role in our strategic vision and growth plans for ASG,” commented Joe Garcia and Zulema Wiscovitch, Co-Presidents and Co-CEOs of ASG.
Ms. Tshering is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of New York University Stern School of Business. Ms. Tshering previously served as the VP of Accounting and Finance at Cargo Air Services, a cargo handling firm, and as Corporate Controller at Display Technologies. She has extensive experience in the finance field, including strategic planning, FP&A, internal controls, and process improvement.
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About ASG:
Associated Supermarket Group provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services, and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Compare, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Metropolitan City Market, Pioneer and other independently named stores.
