Acme to run summer sweepstakes

The Acme supermarket chain, whose parent company is in the midst of efforts to reverse a long stretch of declining sales, is kicking off a match-and-win promotion on Saturday that could net each of two customers grand prizes of $250,000 cash.

Acme Markets has dubbed the unusual summer promotion: Sizzlin' Summer Giveaway.  Customers can earn game pieces by purchasing designated items in its stores through August 18, while supplies last, the company announced.   Game boards will be available in stores and associates will be on hand to help customers understand how the game is played.

The company, a division of Minnesota-based Supervalu Inc., said it would offer more than one thousand prizes, including cars, boats, vacations, and gift cards, in addition to the half-million dollars cash. Acme president Dan Sanders first mentioned that he planned to unveil a big promotion when he met with leaders of his unionized workforce at the end of April. At the time, he had called them to the company's Malvern headquarters to announce that 900 part-timers would be laid off in the coming weeks due to declining business at its 116 stores.

"At Acme Markets, creating an incredible shopping experience for our customers is what drives us and the Sizzlin' Summer Giveaway provides an exciting opportunity for customers to win some life-changing prizes," Sanders said in a news release issued by Acme. "As we launch into the summer season, the Sizzlin' Summer Giveaway will help us attract new customers, drive sales for our stores and vendor partners while creating a fun atmosphere for everyone."

Contact staff writer Maria Panaritis at 215-854-2431 or mpanaritis@phillynews.com.