Weis Markets recently replaced two stores in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley with new, larger supermarkets. A 63,000 square foot store opened on May 13 at the Westgate Mall in Bethlehem where The Bon-Ton department store used to be, and a 68,000 square foot store opened on May 20 in Lower Macungie across the street from a significantly smaller former Weis location.
Both new stores feature an increased variety of natural and organic products, and environmentally-friendly solutions including a CO2 refrigeration system and LED lighting.
In early May, Weis Markets Chairman and CEO Jonathan Weis said the company is allocating $135 million for capital expenditures in 2021. According to Mr. Weis, investments range from new stores and fuel centers to store remodels, technology upgrades and over 1,000 smaller store improvement projects.
In addition, Chief Operating Officer Kurt Schertle reported that Weis Markets saw net sales increase 16.1% to over $4.1 billion in 2020 compared to 2019. Same-store sales rose 16.4% and e-commerce sales climbed 155% during the year. Net earnings rose nearly 75% to $118.9 million.
Weis Markets currently operates about 200 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.