Weis Markets, Inc. engages in the retail sale of food through a chain of supermarkets in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The company's retail food stores sell groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, pharmacy services, deli products, prepared foods, bakery products, beer and wine, and fuel; and general merchandise items, such as health and beauty care, and household products. It operates stores primarily under the Weis Markets name, as well as Weis, Weis 2 Go, Weis Great Meals Start Here, Weis Gas-n-Go, and Weis Nutri-Facts. As of March 7, 2022, the company owned and operated 197 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Virginia. Weis Markets, Inc. was founded in 1912 and is based in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.
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Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Weis Markets (WMK):
- A regional version of Kroger.
- Like Albertsons, but concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region.
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- Groceries: The primary offering, encompassing fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, pantry staples, and frozen foods.
- Prepared Foods & Deli: Ready-to-eat meals, sandwiches, salads, and hot bar items for convenient consumption.
- Pharmacy Services: Prescription fulfillment, over-the-counter medications, and immunizations provided by licensed pharmacists.
- General Merchandise: A selection of household goods, health and beauty products, pet supplies, and seasonal items.
- Fuel: Gasoline and diesel offered at many store locations, often with loyalty program discounts.
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Weis Markets (symbol: WMK) primarily sells its products directly to individuals through its supermarket locations. Therefore, it does not have major corporate customers.
The company serves the following categories of individual customers:
Categories of Individual Customers for Weis Markets:
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Everyday Household Shoppers: This is the core customer segment, comprising families, couples, and individuals who conduct regular weekly or bi-weekly grocery shopping trips. They purchase a comprehensive range of products including fresh produce, meats, dairy, pantry staples, frozen foods, and household items to meet their daily and weekly household consumption needs.
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Convenience and Quick-Trip Shoppers: This category includes customers who prioritize ease and speed. They might be making frequent, smaller purchases for specific items, forgotten ingredients, ready-to-eat meals from the deli or prepared foods section, or grab-and-go items. This segment often includes busy professionals, students, or individuals looking for immediate meal solutions.
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Value-Seeking and Budget-Conscious Shoppers: These customers are primarily driven by price and seek to maximize their savings. They actively look for sales, weekly promotions, loyalty program discounts, and often opt for private-label or store brand products over national brands. This segment is focused on getting the most value for their grocery budget.
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Jonathan H. Weis, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan H. Weis is the grandson of Harry Weis, who co-founded Weis Markets in 1912. He joined the company in 1989 and has held various positions, including roles in produce merchandising, grocery procurement, store operations, and as vice president of property management and development. He was appointed Vice Chairman and Corporate Secretary in 2004, and became President and CEO in February 2014. He directly owns 57.96% of the company's shares.
Michael T. Lockard, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Michael T. Lockard joined Weis Markets as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer in January 2021. Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. from March 2012 to January 2021. His extensive experience also includes leadership positions in Information Systems and Finance at Walmart, and he held a role as Vice President and CFO at UPS Supply Chain Solutions, where his career spanned nearly 18 years in progressive finance and accounting roles.
Robert G. Gleeson, Chief Operating Officer
Robert G. Gleeson was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January 2025. He joined Weis Markets in 2018, rising to Vice President of Fresh Merchandising in July 2019 and then to Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing in March 2021. Before joining Weis Markets, Mr. Gleeson held increasingly senior leadership roles over his 32-year career, including Vice President of Center Store, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, and Division President for SuperValu.
Richard Gregory Zeh Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Richard Gregory Zeh Jr. serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Weis Markets.
David William Gose II, Senior Vice President of Operations
David William Gose II has served as the Senior Vice President of Operations at Weis Markets, Inc. since May 2014.
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The key risks to Weis Markets' business include the following:
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Margin Compression and Intense Competition: Weis Markets operates in a highly competitive retail food industry, facing aggressive expansion from traditional and non-traditional competitors, including online formats. This intense price competition can force the company to reduce retail prices without a corresponding decrease in product costs, thereby reducing sales and gross profit margins. Recent financial results indicate significant margin pressure, with net income declining despite sales growth, largely due to rising costs of goods sold and labor expenses.
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Rising Operational Costs and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The company's profitability is sensitive to various operating costs, primarily employee expenses (wages, benefits, and a competitive labor market) and oil prices, which directly impact transportation, utility, and petroleum-based supply costs. Additionally, disruptions in the supply chain due to factors such as extreme weather conditions, health epidemics (like the COVID-19 pandemic), civil unrest, or food safety issues could significantly affect operations.
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Information Security Risks: Like many modern businesses, Weis Markets faces the risk of cybersecurity breaches. Such incidents could disrupt operations, damage the company's reputation, and potentially lead to significant legal and financial repercussions.
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- Aggressive and continuous expansion of discount grocers such as Aldi and Lidl. These chains are rapidly increasing their store count within Weis Markets' operating regions, offering competitive pricing and a streamlined shopping experience that directly threatens Weis's market share and pricing power, especially given heightened consumer price sensitivity.
- The accelerating evolution and intensification of online grocery competition. While Weis Markets has an online presence, the sector is continuously being reshaped by tech-forward competitors like Amazon (Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market) and other specialized online delivery services. These players drive increasing consumer expectations for convenience, speed, and integrated digital experiences, requiring significant ongoing investment in technology and logistics to remain competitive, a challenge for regional grocers.
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The addressable market for Weis Markets' main products and services, primarily groceries and a wide range of supermarket offerings, spans the U.S. states where it operates. Weis Markets' main products and services include groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, pharmacy services, deli products, prepared foods, bakery products, beer and wine, and general merchandise such as health and beauty care items and household products.
Weis Markets operates across the Mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. The addressable market sizes for the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in these regions for 2025 are as follows:
- Pennsylvania: $36.6 billion
- New York: $55.9 billion
- Maryland: $18.4 billion
- Virginia: $24.4 billion
- New Jersey: $29.3 billion
- West Virginia: $3.2 billion
- Delaware: $2.6 billion
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Expected Drivers of Future Revenue Growth for Weis Markets (WMK)
Weis Markets (WMK) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key strategic initiatives:
- Store Expansion and Modernization: Weis Markets is actively pursuing growth by constructing new stores and modernizing existing ones. The company plans to open four new stores, with three scheduled for 2025 and one in early 2026. Additionally, Weis Markets has been integrating acquired locations, such as the former Saylor's Market in Newville, PA, in Q1 2025, and two Sunnyway Foods supermarkets in Pennsylvania in late 2024, expanding its physical footprint and enhancing the customer experience.
- Growth in Digital Commerce and Online Sales: The company has demonstrated a strong focus on enhancing its digital offerings, evidenced by a significant 46% surge in online sales in 2024. Weis Markets is expanding its "Weis 2 Go Online" service, offering online ordering, delivery, and pickup options across 191 store locations, which is crucial for meeting evolving consumer preferences and driving online revenue.
- Enhanced Customer Engagement and Loyalty Programs: Weis Markets continues to invest in strategies that boost customer engagement and loyalty. These include price-competitive strategies across various categories and an accelerated loyalty marketing rewards program designed to retain repeat customers. The company has also expanded its "Low, Low Price program" to offer value to customers, which can help drive in-store traffic and sales.
- Strategic Acquisitions: The company has a history of strategic acquisitions to expand its market presence. Recent examples include the acquisition and rebranding of two Sunnyway Foods supermarkets in Pennsylvania in September 2024 and the opening of the former Saylor's Market in Newville, PA, in Q1 2025, further solidifying its position in key markets.
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Share Repurchases
- On June 6, 2025, Weis Markets completed a private transaction to repurchase 2,153,846 shares of its common stock for $140 million (approximately $65.00 per share) from trusts associated with the late Patricia R. Weis. This transaction was primarily for estate tax obligations and maintained the Weis family's controlling interest.
- As of December 28, 2024, the company had a remaining authorization to repurchase 752,468 shares under a Board of Directors' resolution from 2004.
Outbound Investments
- In 2024, Weis Markets acquired two former Sunnyway Food stores located in Chambersburg and Greencastle, Pennsylvania.
- The company's long-term capital expenditure program includes the acquisition of retail stores.
Capital Expenditures
- Weis Markets plans for record investments in its long-term capital expenditure program for 2024 and 2025.
- In 2024, the company completed 17 projects, including six major remodels, nine minor remodels, and two fuel centers, and also acquired and converted two stores, beginning construction on four new stores.
- The capital expenditure program focuses on the construction of new superstores, expansion and remodeling of existing units, and technology upgrades, with approximately one-third of the budget dedicated to new stores annually.