The MarketPlace
The MarketPlace is Bermuda's largest grocery-store chain, operating ten stores under The MarketPlace and Price Rite banners.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The MarketPlace Limited is a Bermudian grocery retailer and, as of 2024, the largest grocery-store chain in Bermuda. The company operates a network of ten stores across the island, using The MarketPlace name for its principal supermarkets and the Price Rite name for two franchise-format stores. Its corporate headquarters is located inside the Hamilton MarketPlace, which is also described as the chain's largest location. The business began in 1939 under the Crisson family as Piggly Wiggly Limited. At that stage, stores operated under the Piggly Wiggly name. The company changed ownership several times during its early decades: the Pimental family acquired it in 1946, and Fernance Perry purchased it in 1950. This succession established the business as a continuing Bermudian grocery operation rather than a short-lived single-store venture. A major expansion phase began in March 1979, when Alvin Ferreira bought the operations of the Piggly Wiggly Limited chain. Ferreira already operated a separate store called Modern Mart. Combining the acquired chain with his existing business expanded the operation to five stores. In 1981, the company and its stores were renamed The MarketPlace Ltd., creating the identity that remains associated with the chain today. The MarketPlace continued to grow through acquisitions. In 1987 it bought the A-1 Paget and A-1 Smith stores, increasing the chain's total to seven locations. In 1994 it acquired Shopping Centre Limited, another grocery business in Bermuda. These transactions broadened the chain's physical presence and helped consolidate grocery retailing under a locally owned operator. During the early 2000s, The MarketPlace entered a franchise agreement with Wakefern Food Corporation for the Price Rite banner. The arrangement extended the company's retail portfolio beyond its core MarketPlace supermarkets. The first Bermuda Price Rite store opened in 2007, followed by a second in 2016. The MarketPlace owns and operates both Bermuda Price Rite stores, which maintain a separate website from Price Rite in the United States. The brand's positioning is primarily that of a broad, island-wide grocery retailer serving everyday household and food-shopping needs. Its competitive significance comes from its scale within Bermuda, its multiple store formats, and its long continuity through ownership changes, rebranding, acquisitions, and franchise expansion. Public reference material identifies Pamela Ferreira as the owner and Seth Stutzman as president and chief executive officer. No public financial information, stock-market listing, or international operating network is identified in the supplied sources.
History
The MarketPlace traces its origins to 1939, when the Crisson family founded Piggly Wiggly Limited in Bermuda. The original chain operated stores under the Piggly Wiggly name. In 1946 the Pimental family purchased the company, and Fernance Perry acquired it four years later in 1950. The modern development of the business began in March 1979, when Alvin Ferreira purchased the operating business of the Piggly Wiggly Limited chain. Ferreira also owned Modern Mart, and the combination of the existing store with the acquired operation brought the chain to five stores. In 1981, the company was renamed The MarketPlace Ltd., and its five stores adopted the new identity. Expansion continued through acquisitions. The company bought the A-1 Paget and A-1 Smith stores in 1987, bringing its total to seven locations. In 1994 it acquired Shopping Centre Limited, another Bermudian grocery operation. These acquisitions increased the chain's local reach and reinforced its position as a major grocery retailer in Bermuda. In the early 2000s, The MarketPlace established a franchise relationship with Wakefern Food Corporation's Price Rite banner. The first Price Rite store in Bermuda opened in 2007. A second opened in 2016, taking the overall number of company-operated locations to ten. The MarketPlace owns and operates the two Bermuda Price Rite stores, while the Bermuda operation maintains a separate website from Price Rite in the United States. By 2024, The MarketPlace was described as Bermuda's largest grocery-store chain and operated ten stores. Its headquarters occupies space within the Hamilton MarketPlace, identified as the company's largest store. The public reference material names Pamela Ferreira as owner and Seth Stutzman as president and chief executive officer. The supplied sources do not provide revenue, profit, employment, or other financial figures.
- 2024
The MarketPlace is identified as Bermuda's largest grocery chain
[1]Public reference material describes the company as Bermuda's largest grocery-store chain, with ten company-operated stores.
- 2016
Second Price Rite Bermuda store opens
[1]The company opens a second Price Rite location, bringing its total store count to ten.
- 2007
First Price Rite Bermuda store opens
[1]Following a franchise agreement with Wakefern Food Corporation, The MarketPlace opens its first Price Rite store in Bermuda.
- 1994
Shopping Centre Limited is acquired
[1]The chain purchases Shopping Centre Limited, further expanding its Bermudian grocery operations.
- 1987
A-1 stores are acquired
[1]The MarketPlace acquires the A-1 Paget and A-1 Smith stores, increasing its network to seven stores.
- 1981
The MarketPlace name is introduced
[1]The company is renamed The MarketPlace Ltd., and its five stores adopt the new brand.
- 1979
Alvin Ferreira purchases the operations
[1]In March, Alvin Ferreira acquires the operations of Piggly Wiggly Limited and combines them with his Modern Mart business, expanding the operation to five stores.
- 1950
Fernance Perry acquires the chain
[1]Fernance Perry becomes the owner of the grocery business.
- 1946
Ownership passes to the Pimental family
[1]The Pimental family purchases Piggly Wiggly Limited.
- 1939
Piggly Wiggly Limited is founded
[1]The Crisson family establishes the Bermudian grocery business, with its stores operating under the Piggly Wiggly name.
Products and positioning
A locally owned Bermudian grocery chain positioned around island-wide supermarket coverage, multiple store formats, and everyday grocery retailing.
Grocery retail · 1981
The MarketPlace supermarkets
The company's principal supermarket format in Bermuda. The MarketPlace stores form the core of the chain and sell groceries and everyday household shopping essentials. The Hamilton location also houses the corporate headquarters and is identified as the chain's largest store.
Discount-oriented grocery retail · 2007
Price Rite Bermuda
A Bermuda grocery-store format operated under The MarketPlace's franchise agreement with Wakefern Food Corporation's Price Rite banner. The first location opened in 2007 and a second followed in 2016. Both stores are owned and operated by The MarketPlace and are distinct from Price Rite's United States website.
Brand decisions
2007
Launch of the Price Rite franchise formatM&ABackground
The MarketPlace entered a franchise agreement with Wakefern Food Corporation's Price Rite banner during the early 2000s.
Action taken
The company opened Bermuda's first Price Rite store.
Aftermath
The MarketPlace added a second Price Rite store in 2016 and operated both locations itself.
1981
Rebrand from Piggly Wiggly to The MarketPlaceStrategyBackground
After Alvin Ferreira acquired the Piggly Wiggly Limited operations and expanded them with Modern Mart, the business had five stores.
Action taken
The company changed its corporate name to The MarketPlace Ltd. and renamed the five stores.
Aftermath
The MarketPlace identity became the continuing name of the Bermudian grocery chain.
Sources2 sources
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