History 1986 - Big Y® World Class Market™

By the time Big Y® celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1986, it ranked #1 in Western Massachusetts and #12 in the state, with 21 stores and 1600 employees. During the 1980's, Big Y became a supermarket leader in technology by installing and designing new electronic systems to forge ahead in areas such as energy conservation, product deliveries, security, and scanning. Big Y created information systems that spanned each aspect of their business from administration to shelf design.

In 1989, Big Y needed space to expand its base of operation, so leased office space on Chestnut Street in Springfield became the company's new corporate headquarters. In the early 90's, the company expanded into Worcester County, Massachusetts. Big Y also wanted to take advantage of special buys and opportunities by handling some of its own grocery distribution. The purchase of the 100,000 square foot warehouse in Springfield allowed the company to stay on the leading edge of food distribution.

After months of planning, the Express Savings Club^TM was launched in October 1990, and with it came national recognition and astounding growth. The program was simple: eliminate in-store paper coupons. Give instant savings on hundreds of items each week - all by simply scanning a card at the cash register. The Express Savings Club made life easier for Big Y customers and employees.

At the same time, another era was about to end, with the passing of Big Y's founder, Paul D'Amour. He was 84, but not once did he stop dreaming and working toward a bigger and better company.

January 1993 brought Education Express, Educating Kids, and the Big Y Homework Helpline. Tied to the Express Savings Club, Education Express was an electronic point-based program that allowed area schools to earn much needed educational equipment. By June 1994, Big Y awarded almost $2 million to more than 900 schools in the region.

Big Y's Homework Helpline, a toll-free one-on-one tutoring service for students in kindergarten through grade 12 is launched. Staffed by a highly qualified team of 25 certified teachers, the Helpline guides nearly 10,000 students through homework problems each year.

Always a leader in innovation, Big Y spent three years of research and development before opening its first World Class Market in September 1993. Located on Boston Road in Springfield, Massachusetts, the 64,000 square-foot market focused on freshness and convenience. Truly a one-stop shopping experience, the store included the area's first food court for eat-in dining, freshly made pizza, rotisserie-flames chicken and ribs, a European bakery, full service bank, fresh floral shop, and newspapers from around the world. And that was just the beginning.

In 1994, Big Y entered into Fairfield County, Connecticut with the opening of its Monroe World Class Market. And, in 1995, the grocery and produce distribution operations were moved to the new state-of-the-art 185,000 square foot warehouse on Cottage Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. An adjacent building became the new site of the facilities management operations.