Peapod pushes further into New Jersey

Internet grocer Peapod Inc. is expanding further into New Jersey.

The company, a business unit of Royal Ahold and No. 46 in the Internet Retailer Top 400 Guide to Retail Web Sites, recently opened two new distribution centers that serve a number of cities in central New Jersey, including Ridgewood, Paramus, Fair Lawn, Hawthorne, and Saddle River. In early 2006, the service area will be expanded to include additional towns including Mahwah, Wayne, Westwood and Parsippany.

Another distribution center in Somerset will serve additional locations. Peapod, which serves 16 regional markets, will partner with Stop & Shop, another Royal Ahold unit, for the New Jersey expansion.