Big Y Hires 1,084 for Former Hannaford Stores

Big Y Foods Inc. has hired 1,084 employees for the eight eastern Massachusetts Hannaford Supermarkets the company is acquiring in connection with the store divestments ahead of the Ahold Delhaize merger. Among the new hires are all of the stores’ management teams, including pharmacists. Almost 1,000 of the new hires are former Hannaford employees, according to Big Y.

Since the acquisition was made public in July, the Springfield, Mass.-based grocer has been occupied in interviewing applicants to work in the stores, and will continue to hire staff for the supermarkets. The new hires are currently undergoing training in anticipation of the stores’ transitions to Big Y World Class Markets in September, when the transaction is slated to close.

The Milford, Easton, Norwood and Kingston, Mass., stores will close on Sept. 6 to allow for some minor renovations such as rebranding and signage, equipment upgrades, cleaning, painting and re-stocking with fresh product, and reopen on Saturday, Sept. 10, while the Quincy, Norwell, West Peabody and Saugus, Mass., locations will close on Sept. 11 and reopen on Friday, Sept. 16. The in-store pharmacies, located in the Kingston, Easton, Norwell and West Peabody supermarkets, will close for only a day for inventory and r-stocking, and pharmacy customers will have their prescriptions automatically transferred to the Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Centers.

 “We are confident that the transition will be seamless,” said Charles L. D’Amour, Big Y president and COO.

Once the deal is closed, Big Y will have a total of 79 locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut, comprising 72 supermarkets, 39 pharmacies, Fresh Acres Market, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors, and five Big Y Express gas and convenience locations. The family-owned and -operated company is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England and employs more than 11,000 employees.