As of Thursday, January 12, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE — The company that owns Food Lion announced plans this week to close 113 locations, including the Lawrenceville store. It’s bad news for regular shoppers, but worse news for the 35 to 40 employees who work there.
“They let us know about it last night,” said front end clerk Shaniqua Adams of Gwinnett County. She said employees have about one month before the store closes. Adams has been working at the store since it opened two years ago.
The Lawrenceville store was listed in a report of 29 underperforming locations in Georgia that parent company Delhaize America plans to close within the next 30 days.
“It’s a shame,” said Janet Culepper of Gwinnett County. She was loading groceries into a car trunk Thursday afternoon, when she found out about the store’s upcoming closure. “I’ve been coming here since it opened. It’s closeby...I really hate it for the employees. They’re very friendly.”
It was the only Gwinnett County store listed in a release from Salisbury, N.C.-based Delhaize America. The news release outlined ways the company planned to improve its profits by closing and converting stores like Food Lion, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food locations.
“While we grew our revenues for the full year, we are disappointed in the fourth quarter revenues in the U.S. and Belgium,” said President and CEO Pierre-Oliver Beckers. “Consumers continue to feel pressured in the fourth quarter due to the macroeconomic environment and this led to a reduction in spending.”
The company reported group revenue growth of 4.6 percent in FY 2011.
The news release reported that “economic conditions were challenging in 2011 especially in the Southeastern U.S., with food inflation particularly high in the second half of the year.”
Beckers said the action aimed to counter the economic conditions.
“After a thorough review of our store portfolio, we have decided to close or convert a number of stores in the U.S. and in Southeastern Europe during the first quarter of 2012,” Beckers said. “We fully expect these actions to be value enhancing in 2012.”
Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in 11 countries on three continents.
More like this story
- Food Lion grocery chain coming to Lawrenceville ( December 7, 2009 )
- Gwinnett Toys 'R' Us stores survive cutbacks ( January 12, 2006 )
- Starbucks 1Q profit down 69 percent, shuts more stores ( January 29, 2009 )
- Office Max in Lilburn closing ( January 29, 2006 )
- Harry's Farmers Market location in Duluth to close ( July 26, 2006 )
Comments
news2me 1 year, 4 months ago
Okay, never heard of this store.
ACC12_SEC13Booster 1 year, 4 months ago
"Okay, never heard of this store."
You and everyone else in the 30043 zip code, which is the problem. There's nothing wrong with opening up a few new grocery stores, but a little bit of marketing, advertising and promotion always helps.
What's the point of opening up a brand spankin' new store if the people who live in the area immediately surrounding the store are hardly even aware that the store is there?
Heck, it looks like in most instances, most of the people who Food Lion probably wanted to shop there didn't know and/or had no idea that the store was even there, which is most likely why they are closing.
abc123 1 year, 4 months ago
Absolutly not true! They did advertise! They sent flyers just like every other store. When they opened I recieved 2 flyers a week! They are clear to see from the street as well. The location may not be the best and the competition is high. I feel it's devistating to lose yet another business! Bloomingdales, Kmart, and Sears is to name a few more. I really feel for the employees! They now have to try to find work in this horrible economy! They were very friendly and curtious! Best of luck to them all!
abc123 1 year, 4 months ago
@ news2me -And yet you feel the need to post a comment?????
news2me 1 year, 4 months ago
I posted a comment because I have never heard of this store. Do you think that it doesn't allow me to post or warrant my comment? Obviously I was not the only one (that did not know about this store) or they wouldn't be shutting it down.
dentaldawg83 1 year, 4 months ago
one would think after multiple grocery stores, restaurants fail in a certain location that nobody else would think they will have a different experience. That particular shopping center has never been fully occupied and has never, to my knowlegde been a viable retail center. Time for something different to go in centers like these.
SuxBeanU 1 year, 4 months ago
Don't say "Time for something different to go in", Fly Gwinnett Forward is on the prowl for someplace to stick in an airport. ;-}
R 1 year, 4 months ago
Come to think of it, there should be a couple of "10 item or less" lanes that could be used as jet "gates". (smiles)
CD 1 year, 4 months ago
How about a DUI school? It seems as though a few of the folks in county "leadership" positions may benefit. An airport may work, perhaps on isle 5 and beyond.
kevin 1 year, 4 months ago
I only got flyers about 3 times. After that, never knew the store was open anymore. I agree marketing killed it. They had to compete with a nearby Krogers. I can only say that the best place to shop is Publix. I have been going to my Public for 5 yrs and they all know me by name. There is never a high turnover rate.
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