ShopRite Discontinues the Sale of Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Products
Keasbey, NJ (September 27, 2019) – Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S. and the merchandising and distribution arm for ShopRite stores, today announced its decision to remove electronic cigarettes and vapor products from ShopRite store shelves. The decision follows recent reports about serious health consequences linked to these products and takes effect Friday, September 27, 2019.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of September 26, the number of vaping-related illnesses reported jumped to at least 805 cases in 46 states. In response to those reports, ShopRite will immediately remove from sale vaping products.
“The original intent behind e-cigarettes and vaping products was to assist consumers who were seeking to quit smoking. With the growing concern around the sudden and unexplained health consequences related to the use of these products, we decided to suspend their sale at this time,” said Karen Meleta, a spokesperson for ShopRite.
Customers who have questions about the removal of vaping products and e-cigarettes can call 1-800-ShopRite for more information.
About Wakefern
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative comprises 50 members who today independently own and operate 355 supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite and Dearborn Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia. Together with its member companies, Wakefern employs more than 70,000 people, and is one of the largest employers in New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.wakefern.com.
About ShopRite
ShopRite is the registered trademark of Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey, NJ, and the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States. With more than 270 ShopRite supermarkets located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, ShopRite serves more than six million customers each week. Through its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, ShopRite is dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities it serves. Since the program began in 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $48 million to food banks that support more than 2,200 worthy charities. As a title sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, ShopRite has donated $34 million to local organizations, hospitals and community groups. For more information, please visit www.shoprite.com.
