Stop & Shop announces dozens of store closures in coming months

Supermarket chain Stop & Shop has announced that it will close dozens of stores in the coming months.

The chain is expected to close 32 stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey this fall. Stop & Shop is the second-largest grocer in Massachusetts, where it will close at least eight stores.

The move follows an assessment of the company’s overall portfolio in May. Stop & Shop said the company hopes the closures will position it for growth through price investments and store renovations.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid said the closures are a move aimed at stabilizing the business.

“These stores are not making a profit,” he said. “They are taking away from the entire organization. We need to focus on the areas we need to invest in and want to invest in.”

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The chain, which began in 1914 in Somerville, Massachusetts, will continue to have about 350 stores in five states. All of the stores scheduled to close are expected to close by Nov. 2. The 60,000 employees affected by the store closures will be offered alternative positions within the company.

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