Wakefern Purchases Di Bruno Bros. Portfolio

Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, has successfully acquired the Di Bruno Bros. trademark and portfolio of branded products, specializing in Italian and European gourmet groceries. This acquisition marks a significant addition to Wakefern’s offerings, which includes a range of specialty foods.

Founded in 1939, Di Bruno Bros. has been a staple in the Philadelphia area, known for its gourmet cheeses and cured meats. The company was also a pioneer in online specialty grocery sales, launching its nationwide distribution in 1998.

As part of the acquisition, Wakefern has taken over five retail locations and a bottle shop in Philadelphia, which are now operated by DB Gourmet Markets, LLC. This new entity is managed by Brown’s Superstores, a Wakefern member owned by the Brown family, who operate 12 ShopRite stores and a Fresh Grocer in the Philadelphia region.

In addition to acquiring the trademark and product portfolio, Wakefern has welcomed Emilio Mignucci, a third-generation grocer and cheesemonger from the Di Bruno family, as the new Vice President of the Di Bruno Bros. brand. His expertise is expected to enhance the brand’s presence within the cooperative.

Wakefern Food Corp., founded in 1946, is composed of 45 member families who independently run hundreds of supermarkets under various banners, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, and now Di Bruno Bros. The cooperative operates across multiple states, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

This strategic acquisition is aimed at expanding Wakefern’s reach and offering more diverse products to its existing customer base, as well as to its cooperative members and wholesale clients.