NORWICH – Tops Friendly Markets’ President and CEO Frank Curci announced today the re-branding of all its P&C stores, which will once again bear the Tops name – including the P&C on East Main Street.
“After a thorough evaluation, which included market research with our customers, it was determined that our customers would be best served by having all these stores under the one Tops Friendly Markets banner,” said Curci, whose company acquired the P&C chain from the bankrupt Penn Traffic in January for $85 million.
“With a multi-million dollar capital improvement program scheduled for these stores, in addition to offering a greater variety and selection of grocery products and services, customers can look forward to a more enhanced store shopping experience under the Tops name,” he added.
Tops Markets’ Communications and Public Relations Manager Katie McKenna, in a March 16 statement, had said Tops officials were “still conducting research regarding the name and what resonates most with our customers,” and added a final decision would be made “in the coming months.”
The changeover, part of a two-year, $90 million store capital improvement program, will take place over the summer and fall, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010, according to Curci, who added the “focus will be on new interior and exterior signage, new decor, food cases, restroom renovations and in some stores, new storefronts, flooring and lighting.”
City Mayor Joe Maiurano said the “unification of the Tops corporation name” with the downtown grocery is “just a great idea.”
“Just going in there, you can see all of the positive changes that have been made,” stated Maiurano. “This is great all around as that store is vital to the economics of our community.”
Norwich P&C Store Manager Larry Lash refused to comment.
“Customers have already started to notice different in-store offerings, and many more ways to save through their weekly ad, and other promotions,” stated Curci.