ShopRite is operated under the overarching umbrella of Wakefern Food Corporation, which functions as the primary cooperative distributor, service provider, and administrative parent for the brand. Founded in 1946 by a small group of independent grocers in New Jersey, Wakefern acts as a retailer-owned cooperative that provides joint procurement, warehousing, logistics, advertising, and marketing services to dozens of independent member companies that own and operate individual ShopRite store locations.