Shaw’s is known for its selection of organic and natural products. With the USDA Organic Certified stamp on its labels, the brand’s line of products includes organic milk, stone-ground wheat crackers, eggs, and lightly salted popcorn. Other products, like Greek yogurt and uncured bacon, are made without artificial colors or flavors.
Shaw’s, along with Star Market, are two American supermarket chains. The two chains operate in six New England states and employ approximately 30,000 associates. Shaw is the only grocery chain in five of these states, except for Connecticut where it sold its operations in 2021. Other major competitors include Hannaford, Price Chopper, Wegmans, Stop & Shop, and Market Basket.
As of December 2009, Shaw’s operated 194 stores in the New England region. These included stores in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. In addition, the company operated twelve stores in Massachusetts. In 2010, Shaw’s expanded its marketing efforts and partnered with the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox Radio Network. Additionally, the brand maintained a Facebook page with over 93,000 fans.
Shaw’s has been laying off employees in recent years. The company announced that six underperforming stores will close on January 5, 2011, and two more locations in Rhode Island in February 2011. Currently, the company has 169 stores in the United States, but as the company has struggled to make a profit, the company is struggling.
Shaw’s was originally owned by J Sainsbury, the UK’s largest food retailer. In November 1983, J Sainsbury purchased 21% of Shaw’s stock. In June 1987, it acquired the remaining 21% of the company. Since then, Shaw’s has faced a series of store closings. It once operated over 200 stores throughout New England and was one of the first grocery chains to have air-conditioned stores, self-service wrapped meats, and packaged produce.
