Store closures are no longer just a problem facing Britain’s high streets. Across the world, major retailers are shutting branches as rising costs, changing shopping habits and economic pressures continue to reshape the industry. Now, one of America’s biggest supermarket chains, particularly in the Northeast, is pressing ahead with another wave of closures.
Over the past 18 months, a major US grocery chain Stop & Shop has closed dozens of locations and will continue with the closures throughout the year. At least four more Stop & Shop locations will disappear as part of the company’s broader push to improve performance. Across the northeastern US, Stop & Shop has more than 350 stores spanning five states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The retailer offers groceries, pharmaceutical needs, and home delivery.
A Stop & Shop spokesperson told Inc.: “Each decision was made independently and is not part of a broader plan to close multiple locations. We do not have plans to close additional stores in this market at this time.”
The added that all the affected employees at the closing stores will be given the option to transfer to other locations within the company. However, the closures will affect the towns with fewer grocery options, forcing residents to rely on alternative stores further away.
Earlier this year, Stop & Shop also shut seven e-commerce fulfillment warehouses across four states, shifting instead toward having store-level employees fulfill online orders directly.
It comes amid rising grocery prices due to increased operations costs. In June, grocery bills in the US rose 2.7%, according to the Consumer Price Index and are expected to rise 2.9% in 2027, according to a US Department of Agriculture forecast.