A&P to split its brand into four store types

In an interview with New Jersey Business News, A&P chief executive Eric Claus outlined his company's plan to launch four distinct store types, each aimed at a different kind of shopper.

We have Fresh -- a store that focuses on a premium offering, particularly in the fresh food department. So, it has a higher-end bakery and a vast variety of produce. Instead of commodity tomatoes, it has the nonhydroponic vine-ripened tomatoes that really taste like tomatoes. That caters to middle-upper-income to upper-income consumers. The next one is Price Impact under the Pathmark banner. As soon as you walk in you see huge displays and private labels that tell you will save money. That is typically in the more mainstream and inner-city areas.

The third is Discount -- a smaller store we brought down from Canada with no service departments. Pricing is significantly less. Instead of four different kinds of ketchup, you might have one brand but at a great price. They are extremely successful. You can find them in East Paterson, Fairview and North Bergen. The fourth one is Gourmet, in New York, which is higher-end. They are about having the best chocolates and the best meats in the world.

The 150-year-old retailer operates 435 stores in eight states.