The U.S. supermarket industry is witnessing the end of one of its most historic chapters after King Kullen Grocery Co., widely recognised as America’s first true supermarket chain, agreed to sell its remaining stores to fellow Long Island retailer Giunta’s Meat Farms. The transaction is expected to close in September, subject to customary conditions.
The acquisition includes 24 King Kullen supermarkets and four Wild by Nature natural food stores, bringing to a close nearly a century of independent ownership by the Cullen family. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Founded in 1930 by Michael J. Cullen in Queens, New York, King Kullen is credited with creating the modern supermarket format by combining self-service shopping, multiple food departments, discount pricing and high-volume merchandising under one roof. The concept transformed grocery retailing in the United States and later influenced supermarket development around the world.
Today, the chain operates exclusively on Long Island, where it has remained a familiar name for generations of shoppers. Alongside its supermarkets, the company also operates the Wild by Nature banner, specialising in natural and organic foods.
Giunta’s Meat Farms, another family-owned Long Island grocery business, said operations will continue as normal until the transaction is completed. The company has also indicated that employees from both King Kullen and Wild by Nature are expected to retain their jobs during the transition, providing reassurance for staff and local communities.
The future branding of the acquired stores has not yet been announced, leaving open the question of whether the historic King Kullen name will continue to appear on Long Island high streets after the deal closes.
The sale marks another example of consolidation within the U.S. grocery industry, where regional supermarket operators are facing increasing competition from national chains, discount retailers, warehouse clubs and online grocery services. Rising operating costs, investment in digital commerce and changing consumer expectations continue to reshape the competitive landscape.
For Giunta’s Meat Farms, the acquisition significantly expands its presence across Long Island, creating a larger regional grocery operator with a broader network of stores and customer reach. For King Kullen, it represents the conclusion of a remarkable 96-year journey that helped define the supermarket industry.
Although ownership is changing, the agreement ensures that the stores will continue serving local communities, preserving jobs while maintaining a strong regional grocery presence. The transaction also highlights the continuing importance of family-owned retailers in an increasingly competitive supermarket sector, even as consolidation accelerates across the industry.