The retail holding company Ahold Delhaize USA is planning to close an unspecified number of its Stop & Shop supermarkets.
Supermarket News reported that CEO JJ Fleeman made the announcement during a recent investor strategy meeting. Fleeman did not say how many stores would be closed or when the closures will occur, noting that the company “will be decisive and take deliberate and appropriate actions to ensure a stable future for the brand.”
There are currently 397 Stop & Shop stores in the northeastern states. Ahold Delhaize USA, which is the American subsidiary of the Dutch-Belgian Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V., also operates the Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company and Hannaford supermarket chains.
“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.