Stop & Shop Is Closing Stores — Here’s What to Know

A major grocery store chain in the northeast may be headed toward disaster. 

In late May, during an investor meeting, Stop & Shop’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize, announced that it plans to close underperforming stores. This could have a significant impact on shoppers across the region, as Stop & Shop currently operates nearly 400 stores, including 27 locations in Rhode Island, 57 in New Jersey, 88 in Connecticut, 100 in New York state, and 125 in Massachusetts, according to its website. 

During the call, JJ Fleeman, the company’s chief executive for the United States, said the company has remolded some 190 stores, which are currency out-performing non-remodeled stores. “But that’s not enough,” Fleeman said. “As Stop & Shop embarks on its next phase, we will be decisive and take deliberate and appropriate actions to ensure a stable future for the brand.” Fleeman added that the company will be “optimizing the store portfolio,” which could mean the company will focus on the remodeled stores and look at closing those that haven’t undergone a refresh. 

Stop & Shop, he said, “will make difficult decisions to close underperforming stores to create a healthy store base for the long term and grow the brand,” Fleeman added. 

But before you panic about whether your local store is closing, a spokesperson told the New York Post that it’s “too early” in the evaluation process to tell which specific stores may get the axe and how many locations may close their doors forever. And, in some cases, your local store could still get an upgrade.

“We’re committed to continuing to invest in our stores – as well in our prices – to deliver a great in-store experience and great values for our customers,” a spokesperson for the chain additionally told Boston.com.

Stop & Shop isn’t the only grocery store chain held by Ahold Delhaize. It also owns more than 7,000 food stores in the U.S. and Europe, including the Giant Company, Giant Food, Food Lion, and Hannaford. It did not share any plans to realign or close any of these chains’ locations. 

Editor’s note: Food & Wine reached out for comment and will update this story with any relevant information.