THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 28, 1994 TAG: 9409280491
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Ukrop's Super Markets Inc., the upscale grocery chain based in Richmond, is looking at several sites in the Williamsburg area.
Bob Ukrop, president and chief operating officer, said the chain hopes to open a supermarket in Williamsburg by 1997. But he said the company does not have immediate plans to enter the Hampton Roads market, which is dominated by Norfolk-based Farm Fresh.
With sales of nearly $400 million last year, Ukrop's has a 31 percent share of the Richmond-area market. Its closest competitors are Food Lion, with 22 percent, and Farm Fresh, 18 percent. Farm Fresh operates The Grocery Store chain in Richmond.
Since 1937, when Ukrop's was founded by Joseph and Jacqueline Ukrop, the chain hasn't opened grocery stores more than an hour's drive from its headquarters.
``We opened a store in Petersburg in 1985,'' he said. ``It took us about 50 years to get there. We don't move really fast. We only want to do what's best for our customers.''
Ukrop's, which has 22 stores, is known for its deli, bakery and gourmet carry-out foods. The conservative, family-owned chain does not sell alcoholic beverages. by CNB