Latest news with #RogerWheeler
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Stop & Shop boss reveals why prices are soaring
The president of Stop & Shop said the popular retailer's prices are at an all-time high at stores in Massachusetts because of a surge in retail theft. Roger Wheeler revealed the issue in a letter to members of the Massachusetts delegation after they inquired about the store's high prices in urban locations. Earlier this month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, and Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Jim McGovern penned a letter to Wheeler directly, asking him for 'answers as to why prices appear to be higher for groceries in low-income communities.' Wheeler, who became president of the Northeast grocery chain in 2024, debunked their claims, stating: 'Stop & Shop does not under any circumstances take a neighborhood's demographics into consideration when setting prices. 'The specific process for setting prices is highly confidential and competitively sensitive for any major retail business.' In regard to the soaring prices, the president called on 'legislators to act swiftly by advancing legislation' to help stop retail theft. 'Retail theft is a major concern for retailers like us, and we need legislators to act swiftly by advancing legislation … to help protect our customers and associates,' he said in the letter sent on Wednesday. 'Our business's ability to continue to invest in our stores, our customers, and our communities relies on Congressional action to stop organized retail crime.' Wheeler (pictured) mentioned the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a legislation that was reintroduced last month that would more to 'crack down on flash mob robberies and intricate retail theft schemes.' The proposed legislation, which was brought back into play by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, would establish a supply chain and organized retail crime coordination hub within the Department of Homeland Security, the Boston Herald reported. It would also include 'expertise from state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as retail industry representatives,' while simultaneously implementing 'new tools to assist in federal investigation and prosecution of organized retail crime, and help recapture lost goods and proceeds.' Wheeler clarified that Stop & Shop followed the 'common practice' in the industry where prices vary based on location. He specified that the size of the store, rent prices and how much it costs to transport goods to the location and 'shrink', including losses brought on by theft, all contribute to prices. According to the outlet, Boston youth volunteers with the Hyde Square Task Force uncovered that the Jamaica Plain Stop & Shop charged 18 percent more on 17 identical items than its Dedham location, a suburban area. In response, the grocer lowered prices in Jamaica Plain, but higher prices are still being recorded at 'inner-city locations,' Warren said. 'It's no coincidence that working-class communities are getting stuck with sky-high prices.' With that, he has vowed that 'by year-end 2025, prices will be lowered at all Stop & Shop locations in the Commonwealth.' There are more than 60 locations across the state and around 365 across the Northeast, including New York and New Jersey. Last summer, the store announced that 32 'underperforming' locations will close by the end of the year. 10 stores in New Jersey, eight stores in Massachusetts, seven in New York, five in Connecticut and two in Rhode Island closed their doors. Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Stop & Shop boss reveals maddening reason prices are soaring at his supermarket chain
The president of Stop & Shop said the popular retailer's prices are at an all-time high at stores in Massachusetts because of a surge in retail theft. Roger Wheeler revealed the issue in a letter to members of the Massachusetts delegation after they inquired about the store's high prices in urban locations. Earlier this month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, and Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Jim McGovern penned a letter to Wheeler directly, asking him for 'answers as to why prices appear to be higher for groceries in low-income communities.' Wheeler, who became president of the Northeast grocery chain in 2024, debunked their claims, stating: 'Stop & Shop does not under any circumstances take a neighborhood's demographics into consideration when setting prices. 'The specific process for setting prices is highly confidential and competitively sensitive for any major retail business.' In regard to the soaring prices, the president called on 'legislators to act swiftly by advancing legislation' to help stop retail theft. 'Retail theft is a major concern for retailers like us, and we need legislators to act swiftly by advancing legislation … to help protect our customers and associates,' he said in the letter sent on Wednesday. 'Our business's ability to continue to invest in our stores, our customers, and our communities relies on Congressional action to stop organized retail crime.' Wheeler mentioned the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a legislation that was reintroduced last month that would more to 'crack down on flash mob robberies and intricate retail theft schemes.' The proposed legislation, which was brought back into play by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, would establish a supply chain and organized retail crime coordination hub within the Department of Homeland Security, the Boston Herald reported. It would also include 'expertise from state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as retail industry representatives,' while simultaneously implementing 'new tools to assist in federal investigation and prosecution of organized retail crime, and help recapture lost goods and proceeds.' Wheeler clarified that Stop & Shop followed the 'common practice' in the industry where prices vary based on location. He specified that the size of the store, rent prices and how much it cost to transport goods to the location and 'shrink', including losses brought on by theft, all contribute to prices. According to the outlet, Boston youth volunteers with the Hyde Square Task Force uncovered that the Jamaica Plain Stop & Shop charged 18 percent more on 17 identical items than its Dedham location - a suburban area. There are more than 60 locations across the state and around 365 across the Northeast, including New York and New Jersey In response, the grocer lowered prices in Jamaica Plain, but higher prices are still being recorded at 'inner-city locations,' Warren said. 'It's no coincidence that working-class communities are getting stuck with sky-high prices.' With that, he has vowed that 'by year-end 2025, prices will be lowered at all Stop & Shop locations in the Commonwealth.' There are more than 60 locations across the state and around 365 across the Northeast, including New York and New Jersey. Last summer, the store announced that 32 'underperforming' locations will close by the end of the year. 10 stores in New Jersey, eight stores in Massachusetts, seven in New York, five in Connecticut and two in Rhode Island closed their doors.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Teamsters, Stop & Shop reach tentative agreement to avoid strikes
Teamsters Local 25 and Stop & Shop announced on Friday they've reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for employees at a Massachusetts distribution center, avoiding a strike. 'Stop & Shop tried to strong-arm our members by pushing a nonunion, substandard company health care plan, but our members refused to be intimidated by the company's corporate threats,' said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. 'We fought back against Stop & Shop's corporate greed and sent a clear message that our members will not be bullied into accepting anything less than what they are worth.' The tentative agreement is for six years for associates at Stop & Shop's distribution center in Freetown, according to officials. The pending ratification would save more than 900 union jobs. 'I am thrilled that we were able to work together on a new contract that both provides an outstanding package of wages and benefits to our associates and supports us in our strategy of improving the customer experience by reducing operating costs,' said Roger Wheeler, President of Stop & Shop. President of Teamsters Local 25 Thomas G. Mari said, 'The final agreement not only contained significant increases in wages and working conditions but also provided job security to more than 900 Teamsters for the foreseeable future.' Elected officials, including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, also pressured the company to negotiate in good faith and protect these essential jobs. 'I am proud to have stood with the Teamsters to ensure these good-paying union jobs stay in Massachusetts,' Healey said. 'Keeping the Freetown distribution center open while securing strong wages and benefits is a win for these workers and our entire state.' The contract also delivers the largest economic gains ever negotiated for Stop & Shop Teamsters. New hires will receive an 80 percent wage increase over the length of the agreement, while veteran workers will see an over 30 percent raise. In addition, the agreement preserves top-tier Teamsters health care, significantly increases pension contributions, and ensures the long-term operation of the Freetown facility. 'We held Stop & Shop accountable and secured one of the strongest contracts in the supermarket industry,' said Tom Mari, President of Local 25. 'I want to thank our members for their strength, our UFCW allies for their unwavering solidarity, and the community for standing with us. This victory shows what happens when workers refuse to back down.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Teamsters, Stop & Shop reach tentative agreement to avoid strikes
Teamsters Local 25 and Stop & Shop announced on Friday they've reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for employees at a Massachusetts distribution center, avoiding a strike. 'Stop & Shop tried to strong-arm our members by pushing a nonunion, substandard company health care plan, but our members refused to be intimidated by the company's corporate threats,' said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. 'We fought back against Stop & Shop's corporate greed and sent a clear message that our members will not be bullied into accepting anything less than what they are worth.' The tentative agreement is for six years for associates at Stop & Shop's distribution center in Freetown, according to officials. The pending ratification would save more than 900 union jobs. 'I am thrilled that we were able to work together on a new contract that both provides an outstanding package of wages and benefits to our associates and supports us in our strategy of improving the customer experience by reducing operating costs,' said Roger Wheeler, President of Stop & Shop. President of Teamsters Local 25 Thomas G. Mari said, 'The final agreement not only contained significant increases in wages and working conditions but also provided job security to more than 900 Teamsters for the foreseeable future.' Elected officials, including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, also pressured the company to negotiate in good faith and protect these essential jobs. 'I am proud to have stood with the Teamsters to ensure these good-paying union jobs stay in Massachusetts,' Healey said. 'Keeping the Freetown distribution center open while securing strong wages and benefits is a win for these workers and our entire state.' The contract also delivers the largest economic gains ever negotiated for Stop & Shop Teamsters. New hires will receive an 80 percent wage increase over the length of the agreement, while veteran workers will see an over 30 percent raise. In addition, the agreement preserves top-tier Teamsters health care, significantly increases pension contributions, and ensures the long-term operation of the Freetown facility. 'We held Stop & Shop accountable and secured one of the strongest contracts in the supermarket industry,' said Tom Mari, President of Local 25. 'I want to thank our members for their strength, our UFCW allies for their unwavering solidarity, and the community for standing with us. This victory shows what happens when workers refuse to back down.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
01-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Stop & Shop Freetown distribution center to remain open as Teamsters, company reach deal
FREETOWN - Teamsters Local 25 said it has reached a tentative agreement with Stop & Shop that will keep the company's Freetown distribution center open. Contract affects 900 employees Stop & Shop had demanded changes to workers' health insurance or said it would close the distribution center, saying the company needs to cut operating costs to lower prices. The company said it could save money by closing the Freetown distribution center but would keep the center if workers changed their health insurance. Stop & Shop originally wanted to put the workers on the same health care plan that management has and offered the Freetown employees a 25% raise over five years. Teamsters rejected the proposal, threatening to strike at all Stop & Shop stores in New England if the Freetown facility closed. State treasurers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut wrote a letter to Stop & Shop's Amsterdam-based parent company Ahold Delhaize, warning a strike "would have far-reaching operational and economic consequences." The proposed six-year contract will keep the Freetown facility open, saving the jobs of 900 employees at the distribution center. "I am thrilled that we were able to work together on a new contract that both provides an outstanding package of wages and benefits to our associates and supports us in our strategy of improving the customer experience by reducing operating costs," said Stop & Shop President Roger Wheeler. Teamsters to vote on contract within the week The new contract will give new hires an 80% pay increase over the six years, while longer-term workers will see about a 30% raise. The agreement also preserves the Teamsters' health care and increases pension contributions. "The final agreement not only contained significant increases in wages and working conditions but also provided job security to more than 900 Teamsters for the foreseeable future. We encourage all citizens to utilize Stop & Shop for the best groceries available in New England," said Thomas G. Mari, president of Teamsters Local 25. The Teamsters will vote on the new contract within the week. in 2024.
