Big Y Grows Convenience Store Footprint

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y Foods Inc. is expanding its presence in the convenience channel.

The Springfield-based grocery retailer has entered into an agreement to acquire the operating assets of three O'Connell Convenience Plus Stations in Massachusetts. The locations are in Hadley, Longmeadow and Wilbraham.

Big Y expects to start the operating fuel stations/convenience stores in late January, with plans to convert them to the Big Y Express banner throughout the winter. All O'Connell employees will be able to apply and interview with Big Y, according to the company.

The retailer currently has two Big Y Express Gas and Convenience Stores in Massachusetts. The first Big Y Express store opened in Lee, Mass., in 2013 as a joint venture with petroleum marketer and c-store operator F.L. Roberts & Co.

The other Big Y Express is a wholly owned location in Pittsfield and is adjacent to its existing Big Y World Class Market, as CSNews Online previously reported.

When the 1,574-square-foot Pittsfield Big Y Express store opened in early May, Big Y President and Chief Operating Officer Charles L. D'Amour, noted the new location will "not only help our customers save on their fueling needs, but also make life easier by offering convenience items that our customers can grab on the run. This is especially important given the hectic lives and schedules we all lead."

One of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, family-owned and -operated Big Y has 63 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, with more than 10,000 employees.