FIVE doomed grocery stores are set to close just hours before trick-or-treaters head out for Halloween.
The doomed Connecticut Stop and Stores received an email stating they would shut for good at 3pm on October 31.
Five Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut will close on October 31[/caption]
The five Stop and Shop stores were aware the stores would go dark on or before November 2 – however the October 31.
The 3 pm shutdown will leave some folks scrambling to buy last minute candy as trick-or-treaters take to the streets.
The supermarket chain announced previously announced in mid-July the next steps in its plans to “position the company for growth,” which meant shuttering 32 “underperforming” stores.
There are currently more than 350 stores across the nation.
Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid said: “Stop & Shop is proud of the deep roots and community ties we have developed as a neighborhood grocer of more than 100 years.
“We remain committed to nourishing our associates, customers and communities.
“As we announced in May, Stop & Shop has evaluated its overall store portfolio and made the difficult decision to close underperforming stores to create a healthy base for the future growth of our brand.”
He added: “Stop & Shop is focused on growing through large, multi-year price investments and a stronger customer value proposition, both in-store and online.
“This means we’ll be focused on delivering lower everyday prices, as well as even more savings for our customers through strong promotion.”
“We’re taking these learnings and implementing them at other stores as we build upon our strong foundation, similar to our new Boston flagship location, opened last month in the Allston Yards development.
“We look forward to continuing to serve and care for our communities and to grow Stop & Shop as a local brand for many years to come.”
The Connecticut locations closing are:
- 100 Division St., Ansonia
- 211 High St., Torrington
- 1937 West Main St., Stamford
- 855 Bridgeport Ave., Milford
- 72 Newtown Road, Danbury
It comes as the last remaining big box Kmart store is slated to shut on October 20.
Shoppers who still frequent the location in Bridgehampton, New York, on Long Island, have until October 20 to shop at the store.
Liquidation sales have already began, with discounts as high as 40 per cent off for customers.
The reasoning behind the closure has yet to be detailed.
Kmart’s store count in the United States has been down to the single digits for years, per NBC affiliate WJAR.
Only three stores were still operational in 2022.
The iconic store peaked in the 90s, with more than $3.5 billion dedicated to the retail super-centres and employed around 350,000 employees at around 2,300 locations.
RETAIL BLOODBATH
Several other retailers across the United States have undergone mass closures after bankruptcy filings this year.
Big Lots recently confirmed its Chapter 11 filing after weeks of speculation and detailed plans for around 545 store shutdowns.
LL Flooring will also close half of its over 400 locations after a quiet bankruptcy filing and revert to an old name under its new ownership.
Some clothing retailers also took similar actions.
Express filed for bankruptcy in April and confirmed nearly 100 locations would shutter for good.
Rue21 also submitted another bankruptcy filing after one in the early 2000s and confirmed it would shut down all of its remaining stores.
