The basics:

• South Orange Stop & Shop completes 6-month renovation
• 800+ new products added across store
• Produce, bakery, deli, dairy, frozen departments upgraded

Stop & Shop is unveiling a newly refreshed supermarket in Essex County.

Following a series of renovations, the Ahold Delhaize-owned chain’s location on Valley Street in South Orange now features:

• Updated produce and bakery departments
• Expanded dairy and frozen food departments
• Refreshed deli department with more grab & go options

Additionally, Stop & Shop introduced more than 800 new products across the entire store. That includes an increased multicultural assortment with new Latin and Caribbean favorites, as well as additional Asian dry goods selections.

Stop & Shop boosted its lineup of private label products on the shelves under the store brand, Nature’s Promise and Taste of Inspiration banners. The store also integrates organic and natural products within the grocery aisles to allow customers to see all product options available, according to the grocer.

According to a spokesperson, the 11-year-old location stayed open during the six-month project.

Bigger picture

The transformation is part of a broader, multiyear effort aimed at modernizing Stop & Shop’s fleet of stores across the Northeast. Since 2018, the grocer has remodeled roughly half of its 350-plus locations, according to Grocery Dive.

Within New Jersey, outposts such as Clifton, Bayonne, Pompton Plains and Wayne, received refreshes as part of the initiative.

The strategy to strengthen Stop & Shop’s competitive position has included lower prices, operational improvements and improved fresh offerings, as well.

And the chain has closed about three dozen underperforming locations. After shutting 10 New Jersey stores in November 2024, Stop & Shop now has 47 supermarkets here.

Let’s Stop & Shop

South Orange Store Manager Juan Carlos Orozco shared, “We’re proud to welcome our neighbors into the newly refreshed Stop & Shop.”

“From upgrades across our produce, bakery, deli, and frozen departments to the addition of more than 800 new items, including an expanded multicultural assortment, every improvement reflects our commitment to the community. Customers will enjoy a more streamlined layout, a wider selection, convenient Grab & Go options, and an enhanced overall shopping experience. It’s an honor to serve South Orange, and we’re excited to offer a store our customers will truly enjoy,” he said.

As part of a June 26 grand reopening event, the store donated $1,500 to the South Orange Police Department.

In a social media post, the police department thanked the store for the gift, saying, “Community partnerships make a difference … This generous donation will be used to support future community outreach initiatives and programs that benefit our community. We are incredibly grateful to Juan, the entire Stop & Shop team, and The Stop & Shop Corporation for their generosity and for investing in the work we do together to strengthen our community.”