KEASBEY, N.J. — Grand reopenings are set for March 29 at five remodeled Price Rite Marketplace stores in Connecticut.

A Price Rite Marketplace pilot store in Bethlehem, Penn.

Shoppers will find prices have been lowered on hundreds of everyday items, an expanded selection of Price Rite Marketplace brand merchandise, additions to the  Wholesome Pantry organic and free-from product portfolio, and more gluten-free offerings.

Shoppers also will be introduced to new ‘Drop Zone,’ ‘Amazing Value!’ and ‘Spot on Savings!’ concepts intended to enhance the shopping experience and make it easier to find the best deals. And new self-service checkouts offer shoppers greater speed and convenience.

“We are pleased with the success from our three-store pilot in Pennsylvania, where customers really responded to the new streamlined shopping experience and updated product mix,” said Jim Dorey, president of Price Rite Marketplace.  “Now we’re proud to introduce this new store concept to our Connecticut shoppers in Cromwell, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. We’ve taken what we learned in Pennsylvania and applied it to these five Connecticut stores. It’s the next step as we begin to roll out these important changes at all our stores.”

The pilot, begun in October, tested a new store layout and money-saving features that were embraced by shoppers, the company said. The stores’ meat and produce selections and their ‘Drop Zone’ deals attracted new customers and increased store traffic, the company said. The ‘Drop Zone’ is envisioned as an in-store destination for shoppers seeking deals, special surprise buys and must-have products typically priced at $5 or less.

The pilot also generated industry buzz, winning the National Grocers Association’s Creative Choice award for outstanding marketing and merchandising in the supermarket industry.

Each grand reopening is being planned as community celebration, with live music, free sampling, gift card giveaways and other fun events, the company said.

Price Rite Marketplace opened its first store in 1995 under the name Price Rite Supermarkets, and currently operates 65 grocery stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland and Virginia.

The retailer said it is committed to providing the best value for customers, and to delivering a simplified shopping experience, with name brand food and products, as well as expanded fresh produce and organic offerings at exceptional prices.