Robert B. Wegman, 87, introduced the idea of one-stop shopping at his family-owned chain of supermarkets, which are the envy of the industry for their unparalleled levels of customer and employee loyalty. In more than a half-century at the helm of Wegmans Food Markets Inc., Mr. Wegman built an innovative company that combined business success and humanitarian ideals. He pioneered the concept of one-stop shopping and the superstore, with bakeries, imported foods, cafes and photo labs all under one roof.

He was a leader in adapting technology to the sale of groceries and helped introduce the Universal Product Code, the identifying computer markings now standard on most packaged goods. With the success of 70 stores in five states, including Virginia and Maryland, Mr. Wegman helped raise the standards of service in the supermarket industry while instilling an enlightened treatment of his employees. Last year, Fortune magazine named Wegmans the best company in the United States to work for.