While the departure of Nicholas would represent a blow to Iselin, N.J.-based Allegiance, that co-op has seen significant growth in recent years, adding the Gristedes and D’Agostino chains and numerous smaller players, and relaunching the Pathmark banner acquired from A&P.

“I believe Wakefern’s deep roots in the state will help me navigate this and other challenges facing the supermarket industry.” “The competitive landscape in New Jersey has grown fierce in recent years,” Maniaci said. Wakefern’s ShopRite banner is a longtime leader in many New Jersey markets but is steeling against new competition from fast-growing discounters and a resurgent Stop & Shop, operated by Ahold Delhaize. Maniaci, until very recently, was also the chairman and CEO of Allegiance, the member-owned marketing cooperative behind independently owned Foodtown stores and other Northeast independents. The Family-owned Nicholas Markets was founded in 1943 by the father and son team of Rocco and Nicholas Maniaci, the respective grandfather and father of David Maniaci, current president and CEO of Nicholas Markets.

Upon their conversion, those stores will be rebranded as The Fresh Grocer, a Wakefern trademarked banner. The Woodland Park, N.J.-based Nicholas Markets operates stores in North Haledon, Cedar Grove, Colonia and Washington Township, N.J., under the Foodtown banner.

Twp of Washington NJ, Nicholas Markets, a four-store independent grocer run by the longtime chairman and CEO of the Allegiance Retail Services cooperative, is departing Allegiance to join its larger co-op rival Wakefern Food Corp.

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