Guide to New York City Retailers
New York City is the largest metro area in the US and a big potential for acquiring new customers. That said, the NYC market has some unique challenges for CPG brands. First off, there are many smaller retailers rather than large chains, making it difficult to quickly scale. Second, most of those retailers operate on a DSD model, meaning the distributors have a strong influence in going into each store, selling in product, taking orders, and stocking the shelves. Many DSD distributors will require exclusives in the NYC market.
SPONSOR: This article was written in partnership with Trax Retail . As your brand grows in retail, there comes a point when you can no longer manage how your products are showing up on shelf, if at all. Trax has a suite of merchandising services so you can make sure your product correctly shows up at retailers and sells off the shelf. Thanks to Tina Adolfsson and others for putting this list together.
Grocery
Photo Credit: The New York Times
Wegman's
Wegmans’ motto “Helping you live a healthier, better life through food.” is reflected in their offer of choice, quality and value in every aisle. They aim to create a truly pleasant shopping experience for their customers with a wide variety of products and a focus on locally sourced, best quality ingredients.
Highlights:
- A true “supermarket” feel without having to leave the
city: wide variety and comfortable layout. - Partner network of local farms and manufacturers.
- Large dining plaza and prepared foods section.
Photo Credit: Winsight Grocery Business
Food Bazaar Supermarket
Food Bazaar Supermarket goes to great lengths to
provide each community with the flavors that they love
and recall from “back home.” They have aisles dedicated
to international and mainstream groceries and fresh
produce. Their stores are located in many different
neighborhoods, each vibrant with numerous ethnicities
and nationalities, cultures and flavors.
Highlights:
- Assortment caters to many cultures and nationalities.
- Good prices and special deals, including rewards app.
- Located in key neighborhoods.
The Food Bazaar Supermarket is looking for:
- International variety and flavors.
- Affordable prices.
- Clean and practical facilities.
Photo Credit: Supermarket Technical Service
Morton William's - Fresh Market
Morton Williams – the Fresh Marketplace, is a familyowned chain of small-format gourmet supermarkets in
the Manhattan area. Their assortment offering all grocery
essentials and an selection of curated, gourmet products
and prepared foods.
Highlights:
- Convenient: open 24 hours.
- Diverse and extensive selection of groceries.
- Wide variety of quick serve and prepared foods.
The Morton Williams Shopper is looking for:
- 24-hour convenience and great locations.
- Gourmet grocery options.
- Prepared foods and meals on-the-go.
Photo Credit: The New York Times
Gristedes
Gristedes Supermarkets has been feeding New Yorkers for
over 100 years. Their stores feel like the old-school NYC
local supermarkets. Gristedes operates over thirty stores
throughout Manhattan (10 stores), Westchester and
Brooklyn.
Highlights:
- Fresh produce.
- Pre-packaged lunches.
- Traditional and favorite shelf-brands.
- Sushi and deli counter in some of the stores.
The Gristedes Shopper is looking for:
- Selection, fresh produce and on-the-go lunch.
- Great value for selection, with prices that are lower than Whole Foods, comparable to Trader Joe’s.
Photo Credit: 27 East
Citarella
First known as as one of the top seafood vendors on
Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Citarella has expanded a
full line of high quality foods with stores in New York City
and the Hamptons. Family-run business led by Joe
Guuerrera, with 7 locations plus a wine shop in CT.
Highlights:
- Known for seafood and smoked fish.
- Assortment includes gourmet meats and cheese.
- Full line of high quality foods.
The Citarella Shopper is looking for:
- Specialty foods, curated selection.
- Freshness and choice.
- Four locations spread out throughout Manhattan, rest in five boroughs plus CT for the wine shop.
- Online shopping as well – NYC demands convenience.
Photo Credit: City Acres Market
City Acres Market
City Acres Market aims to deliver an elevated shopping
experience that embraces food and appeals to new and
established residents of the neighborhood. Their flagship
location occupies over 15,000 square feet in South
Williamsburg. It’s a one-stop shop, where you can pick up
lunch and stock up on groceries.
Highlights:
- Convenient 1-stop shops: grocery and in-store prepared foods and restaurants.
- Large variety in grocery, locally sourced products and
international flavors.
The City Acres Shopper is looking for:
- Prepared foods for quick meal options, found in “The
Grocer’s Table” area of the store. - A wide selection of groceries that is curated.
- Convenient locations around the city.
Photo Credit: Foodtown of East Harlem
Foodtown
Foodtown is a northeastern United States supermarket
cooperative founded in 1955 by Twin County Grocers,
Inc.. Their business is centered in the city and suburbs of
New York (21 stores), central New Jersey (32 Stores) and
eastern Pennsylvania (5 stores).
Highlights:
- Delivering the FRESHEST quality products.
- Providing the FRIENDLIEST service.
- Small format, welcoming locations.
The Foodtown Shopper is looking for:
- Local owners, community feel, coop-style.
- Discount card, part of S&H Greenpoints program.
Photo Credit: The Market Report Media
Met Food Markets
Neighborhood stores that offer a large variety of grocery
and fresh products for the price-conscious consumer.
Highlights:
- Weekly promotions and special deals.
- Great variety in products at low prices.
The Met Foodmarket’s shopper is looking for:
- A one-stop shopping to purchase groceries.
- Vegan and organic options.
GROCERY
(Photo: DeCicco & Sons)
DeCicco & Sons
DeCicco & Sons is your destination for specialty and gourmet groceries, as well as all of your everyday needs. We offer a full-service deli counter, a chopped salad station, a coffee and juice bar, an in-store bakery, freshly made sushi, a fully staffed butcher department, and the freshest seafood and produce available. Thousands of Craft Beer varieties are available in the aisles, with new arrivals every day. Their in-store Pub features 32 rotating beer taps, growler and crowler fills, as well as eight wines on tap.
GROCERY
(Photo: Byron’s Village Market)
Byron's & Cambridge Village Market
Byron’s Village Market is a full line grocery store with fresh meats and deli products around. Coldest Beer including 8′ Craft Beer.
GROCERY
(Photo: Ashley Sears)
Pine & Polk
A space for epicurean goods and late night drinks; a way to mix the cool, crisp vibes of the west coast with the richness and depth of your favorite east coast city.
GROCERY
(Photo: Pop Up Grocer)
Pop Up Grocer
Pop Up Grocer is a grocery store, showcasing the newest (and most exciting!) products from food, beverage, home, pet, and body care brands. While their assortment is always changing, they’re here to stay. Visit their café for fresh baked goods and coffee, served daily.
GROCERY
(Photo: The Goods Mart)
The Goods Mart
The Goods Mart is a place filled with upgrades to typical convenience store staples. Find what you’re craving, and discover new favorites too. They’re making better‑for‑you options easily accessible. You no longer have to settle for that ‘I think it’s better for me option,’ because they curated over 200 mission‑driven products that you love that are not only delicious, but also better for you and the environment. The Goods Mart is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a real good coffee, a candy bar, a tasty sandwich, chips, or the essentials — eggs, toilet paper, and milk.
Specialty Retailers
(Photo: The Goods Mart)
Boisson
Quenching a curious thirst to balance mind and body, Boisson was born out of a love of mixology and a shared necessity of well-being. Their vision is to progress the act of drinking, making it more positive and inclusive. They don’t carry every brand; instead, their team is passionate about curating only the highest quality options out there. Their alternatives to wine, beer, spirits, apéritifs, barware, and more, provide sophisticated sips to those looking for alternatives to alcohol, no matter their reasons why.
With five locations in NYC, an upcoming launch in LA, further US expansion, and a 24/7 online shop, They’re offerings are available nationwide.
(Photo: Big Night)
Big Night
Big Night are collection of glassware, flatware, table linens, condiments, tinned fish, olive oil, and so much more from all over the country and world.
Whether it’s a salad bowl that becomes part of the family, wine glasses that get compliments every time, a chili crisp that tricks your loved ones into thinking you’re a good cook, or the secret sauce that makes takeout thrilling, they have it in Big Night.
(Photo: Spirited Away)
Spirited Away
Established in 2020, Spirited Away is America’s first booze-free bottle shop, dedicated to non-alcoholic spirits, wines, beers & cocktails
(Photo: Plantega)
Plantega
At Plantega, they got your back with their plant-based options made hot off the grill at the place you hit up on a daily basis, the bodega.
Their unique plant-based-deli-in-bodega model makes it a no-brainer eat your deli favorites like the Chopped Cheese, Sausage Egg and Cheese, and Chicken Sandwiches (made 100% plant-based), without having to leave your neighborhood. They also happen to be better for you and for the planet.
(Photo: Depanneur)
Depanneur
Dépanneur: n Dépanneur (from the French verb Dépanner, meaning “to help out of difficulty” or “troubleshoot”; often shortened to “dep”) is the name for convenience store, independently run corner shop, general store or deli, in the province of Quebec in Canada. Think of it as a better bodega, hence the name Dépanneur, but they’re not your typical corner store.
They strive to carry a collection of local, delicious, and innovative products from Brooklyn, NY state and around the world as well as sandwiches made with the highest quality ingredients sourced locally whenever possible and coffee beverages made with Partners beans and farm fresh milk.
(Photo: Showfields)
Showfields
Showfields are a lifestyle discovery store. They feature a curation of mission driven products, art, and events that can be found “IRL” for the first time. They amplify the mission of creatively stimulating partners, artists, and customers to create change and evoke new feelings.
(Photo: Neighborhood Goods)
Neighborhood Goods
Neighborhood Goods is a department store with a story. They have an ever-changing selection of brands and products, featured online and across our expanding network of stores.
(Photo: Bonberi Mart)
Bonberi Mart
Bonberi Mart is a pop-up convenience corner store offering fresh juices, smoothies, salads, grain bowls, daily soup, snacks and wellness-inspired homeware, clean beauty and skincare products.
Convenience
Photo Credit: The Modern Chemist
The Modern Chemist
The Modern Chemist is a local chain of boutique, fullservice pharmacies that specialize in personal care
products, health and wellness, as well as gifts and fun
stuff for the whole family.
Highlights:
- Curated selection of personal care products and gifts
in addition to normal pharmacy items. - Boutique feel.
- Great customer service.
The Modern Chemist Shopper is looking for:
- Unique selection of products.
- Personalized customer attention.
- A neighborhood, local pharmacy.
Photo Credit: TAPinto
QuickChek
For over 50 years, QuickChek has been a local one-stop
shop for legendary made-to-order subs, guaranteed fresh
coffee and friendly service. With over 150 stores in New
York and New Jersey, they consider themselves locals
through and through.
Highlights:
- Quick, on-the-run prepared foods and locally roasted
coffee. - Good selection of snacks and common grocery items.
- Prime locations throughout NYC and NJ.
The QuickChek Shopper is looking for:
- Convenient neighborhood stores for on-the-go
products. - Fresh prepared foods and coffee at good prices.
Photo Credit: Supermarket News
Amazon GO
Amazon go is a seamless shopping experience that starts
with an e-commerce mobile application that enables
consumers to purchase items in their physical locations
without waiting in lines or checking out with registers.
Amazon Go uses machine learning, sensor technology,
machine vision and artificial intelligence (AI). Eight of 26
stores in the US, are in Manhattan.
Highlights:
- Innovative, efficient shopping experience.
- Convenience
- Quick, on-the-go prepared foods and pantry fillers.
The Amazon Go Shopper is looking for:
- Novelty and practicality while shopping.
- Convenience of location plus technology
Liquor Store
Mass Merchandiser
Photo Credit: Insider Trends
Target
Known for sleek and modern store design, Target offers a large assortment of food products; apparel and electronics as well as beauty and household essentials. There are 18 stores in Greater NYC, with 12 in Manhattan.
Photo Credit: Citarella
Citarella's Wine and Spirits
Citarella Wines & Spirits stocks a wide selection of wines
from among the world’s greatest regions and producers.
They also carry a range of locally-produced and craft
spirits, ranging from the familiar to the unusual.
Highlights:
- Special events: tastings, expert demos, wine classes.
- Wide selection of local wines and craft spirits.
- Knowledgeable staff.
The Citarella Wines & Spirits Shopper is looking for:
- Assortment and selection.
- Experience: tastings and food pairings.
- Expertise: expert demos and wine classes.
National Retailers
Mass Merchandiser
Photo Credit: Wall Street Journal
Walmart
Walmart is the largest retailer nationwide, they offer an assortment of merchandise including groceries and general products as well as different in-store services. There are 13 stores in Long Island and NJ, but none in Manhattan.
GROCERY
(Photo: TripAdvisor (Lynge Te)
Whole Foods
The world’s largest natural foods grocery chain. Directed to audiences who are health-conscious, on a plant-based diet, or have specific dietary needs. There are 11 Whole Foods in Greater NYC.
GROCERY
(Photo: CNN)
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s caters to a large clientele, from the health-conscious to the price-conscious. They are known for their low prices, unique offerings, and charming store features. There are 11 stores in Greater NYC.
CONVENIENCE
(Photo: 7-Eleven)
7-eleven
7-Eleven, the world’s first convenience store is making life easier for customers. Recent changes include better-for-you brands, that align with consumer trends. 40+ stores in Manhattan, ~95 in greater NYC.
GROCERY
(Photo: Eat This, Not That!)
Aldi
Aldi is widely known as the cost-efficient grocery retailer option due to low prices and self-service. Global retailer, HQ in Germany and expanding rapidly. 7 stores in Manhattan, ~20 stores in Greater NYC.
PHARMACY
(Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Walgreen's
Walgreens is the neighborhood retailer that brings health and well-being within reach for everyone, with one-stop locations for: prescriptions, lab services, convenience, and beauty. There are 50+ drug stores in Greater NYC, including Duane Reed’s. Stores have been closing since 2019.
PHARMACY
(Photo: Zaubee)
CVS
CVS Pharmacy looks to make health care simpler, more affordable and specially more accessible through their 1-stop shops. There are ~65 drug stores in Greater NYC.