Pathmark Stores, Inc. Joins Topco As A New Member-Owner

Carteret, NJ - Pathmark Stores, Inc. announced recently that it has joined Topco Associates LLC, a privately-held national cooperative that helps its members leverage their collective volume in realizing cost efficiencies in the area of product procurement. Pathmark will participate in Topco's private label programs involving Grocery, Health and Beauty Care, General Merchandise, Frozen, Dairy and Bakery.

Ken Martindale, Co-President and Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer of Pathmark stated, "We are pleased to become a member of Topco and take advantage of the many high quality products and cost containment opportunities that Topco offers. As one of Topco's 60 member companies, we join a cooperative that has aggregated purchasing power of more than $5.6 billion. We expect to realize significant benefits, in particular, this partnership will help to strengthen our private label program and it is another major step in our repositioning of Pathmark."

SOURCE: Pathmark Stores, Inc. and Topco