Hilton, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets cut the ribbon on a newly-remodeled store on South Avenue. The store is an example of Tops' recent growth strategy.
The Hilton store used to be Furnal’s Fresh Market. It’s one of several existing family grocers the chain has bought and converted into Tops stores.
The store is also an example of how the company is spending millions of dollars to renovate its locations. Tops found that sales increased at its remodeled stores.
At 27,000 square feet, about one-fifth the size of a Wegmans flagship store. But Tops is having success with smaller models.
“We try to fit the size of the store to the opportunity that presents itself in the community,” said Tops President and CEO Frank Curci.
Perhaps most importantly, the Hilton store shows that Tops will go into towns and neighborhoods Wegmans will not.
“At Tops, we’re not afraid of operating stores in the inner city, in smaller communities. We think that there’s a real need for healthy food options in those kind of communities,” said Curci.
Tops is adding gas stations at several locations. Curci said it’s a big part of the company’s merchandising and promotions. Tops turned a profit in 2011 after heavy losses the year before.
Curci said the Rochester market may be able to sustain a couple more Tops stores. He would not say which stores are next in line for renovations.
