Food Lion Reopening 169 Improved Stores
Food Lion is holding grand reopening ceremonies at 169 stores in North Carolina and South Carolina in which it has made what it terms “significant investments,” in the process creating 500 new jobs. The refreshed locations are in such key markets as Greenville and Wilmington, N.C., and Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
At the festivities taking place Nov. 13-16, the first 50 customers at each location will receive a bag of free groceries.
“With [the latest] launch, nearly all Food Lion stores have received these store investments,” said Greg Finchum, SVP of retail operations for Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion. “We invite customers to visit their local Food Lion, where they will experience firsthand new lower prices and other store enhancements, such as the greatest value in store brands and fresher produce.”
Food Lion’s investments offer customers reduced prices on 6,000 items across the store and store-brand products at new lower prices, among them items sold under the company’s my essentials brand. Further, the chain has added MVP Savings Centers in each store, where customers can scan their MVP Cards to receive personalized offers for more savings on national and private-brand products.
Additionally, under the “Fresh From the Field” initiative, Food Lion has introduced better quality, enhanced freshness and expanded variety to its produce sections. The grocer’s produce and store-brand products are backed by a double-your-money-back guarantee.
Based on customer feedback, the investments will continue to position the banner for future success, according to Food Lion.
The grocer also plans to donate $2,000 to local food banks, which will help each agency provide up to 10,000 meals. Food Lion will continue working with these food banks as part of its continuing efforts to fight food insecurity and relieve hunger. By the end of 2013, the chain is on track to donate more than 1.1 million pounds of food collectively to these agencies.
Food Lion’s store investments began with the launch of 167 stores in the Raleigh and Fayetteville, N.C., markets in May 2011, and then continued with 268 stores in March 2012 in Virginia, West Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina; 269 stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, including its hometown markets of Salisbury and Charlotte, N.C., in July 2012; and most recently, 178 stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia in May 2013.
A company of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group, Food Lion operates more than 1,100 supermarkets in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, and employs about 57,000 associates.