Kings Food Markets is an American food market chain headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, with stores in northern New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

Kings Food Markets
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
FoundedSummit, New Jersey, 1936
Headquarters
Parsippany, New Jersey
,
United States
Number of locations
19 stores (2021)
Area served
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York
ProductsGrocery
Revenue$400 million USD (2016) [1]
OwnerMarks & Spencer (1988–2006)

Angelo, Gordon & Co. (2006–2016)

KB Holding (GSSG Capital) (2016–2020)

Albertsons (2021–present)
Websitekingsfoodmarkets.com

From 1988 to 2006, it was owned by British retailer Marks & Spencer.[2]

In 2009, Kings acquired Balducci's.[3] In 2016, Kings and Balducci's were sold by Angelo, Gordon & Co. and MTN Capital Partners to GSSG Capital.[4]

The upscale market branded private label products under the Kings Own brand name.[5]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the market drew national attention for its policy on mask-wearing: when a customer entered the store without wearing a mask, they were given a mask and the CEO's phone number.[6]

On August 23, 2020, Kings filed for bankruptcy[7] and on October 14, 2020, it was announced that Albertsons submitted a winning $96M bid for the company.

On December 7, 2020, Kings closed their location in Maplewood, New Jersey, after being in Maplewood since 1942.[8] On the same day the Maplewood location closed, Kings announced their locations in Long Hill, New Jersey, and on River Street in Hoboken New Jersey, will close.[9][10] These locations closed in late December 2020.

On January 15, 2021, Kings announced that their locations in Bernardsville, New Jersey, and in Warren Township, New Jersey, will close.[11] These locations closed on January 23, 2021.

References

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  1. ^ "Breaking News: Angelo, Gordon Sells Kings, Balducci's To Investment Company; Spires Remains CEO". foodtradenews.com. 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  2. ^ "M&S sells Kings supermarket chain to US consortium". Citywire.
  3. ^ "Balducci's Sold - WestportNow.com - Westport, Connecticut". www.westportnow.com.
  4. ^ "Breaking News: Angelo, Gordon Sells Kings, Balducci's To Investment Company; Spires Remains CEO". foodtradenews.com. 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  5. ^ Verdon, Joan (September 16, 2015). "Kings Food Markets expands private label". Passaic Herald-News. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  6. ^ Bartiromo, Michael (August 18, 2020). "Kings Food Markets CEO is giving phone number to customers who disagree with mask mandate". FOX News. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  7. ^ Sheldon, Chris (2020-08-28). "N.J.-based owner of Kings supermarkets files for bankruptcy". nj. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  8. ^ King, Rebecca. "Kings Food Market in Maplewood, open since 1942, has permanently closed". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  9. ^ "Kings Hoboken South Grocery Store To Shut In December". Hoboken, NJ Patch. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  10. ^ Sheldon, Chris (2020-12-08). "Kings Food Markets location shuttered, 2 more in N.J. also closing". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  11. ^ "Warren, Bernardsville Food Markets To Close Next Week". Warren, NJ Patch. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-01-15.