Last updated on June 26th, 2024 at 04:30 pm
Ahold Delhaize USA will be closing a number of its Stop & Shop locations in the Northeast. The announcement was made during the May 23 Ahold Delhaize Strategy Day, where Ahold Delhaize USA CEO J.J. Fleeman said they are taking “deliberate and appropriate actions to ensure a stable future for the brand.”
During his presentation, Fleeman did not give a total number of Stop & Shop locations that will close. He did say they are focusing on “the markets that are most important, including those where the brand has strong density, holds a strong market position or has stores that are performing well. Stop and Shop has already evaluated its overall portfolio and will make difficult decisions to close underperforming stores to create a healthy store base for the long term and grow the brand.”
Fleeman said they are looking at three key areas for the brand: improving the cost structure, optimizing the store portfolio and intensifying price investments.
“More specifically, Stop and Shop will have a relentless focus on operational excellence and efficiency at every level of its organization. This will include a more efficient organizational structure, along with a focus on quality, fresh products, well stocked shelves, further supply chain efficiency and fantastic service in each of its stores,” he said.
Over the past four to five years, he noted that Stop & Shop has remodeled 190 stores and “strengthened the value proposition in those stores.”
He also said of the $1 billion in price investments Ahold Delhaize has proposed, a “significant investment” will go into Stop & Shop.
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop operates more than 400 stores throughout New York New England and New Jersey and has about 60,000 employees.
