SALISBURY, NC - The day is finally here! Food Lion, the grocery store company under the Ahold Delhaize umbrella, has announced the completion of its 92-store remodel South Carolina, just after announcing another investment plan in Virginia. Dropping $158 million for this project, Food Lion not only remodeled its stores, but also hired 2,000 additional associates, gave back to local communities, and donated two mobile trucks to area food banks to feed local families in need. To date, Food Lion has now remodeled 80 percent of its network of more than 1,000 stores across its 10-state operating area.

“Food Lion has nourished our neighbors in the greater South Carolina community for 43 years, and we're excited to bring these improvements to our 92 local stores," said President Meg Ham. "We've created a new grocery shopping experience through the significant investments in our stores, associates, and communities. From our expanded variety and product assortment, newly reorganized stores, to a more efficient check-out experience, every change we’ve made will make it easier for our customers to find the quality products they have come to expect from Food Lion. When coupled with our weekly sales and promotions, customers will see that we have made it easier for them to nourish their families with healthy foods on a budget.”

According to the press release, each store—located in Greater Myrtle Beach, Florence, Columbia and Charleston—was opened to the public at 8 a.m. on July 17, following a 7:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. So what can you expect to see in these newly remodeled stores? A lot, actually:

• Expanded variety and assortment across all departments relevant to customers in each store, such as more local produce in the “Local Goodness” section, an expanded variety of craft beer, limited reserve wines, and more local, natural, organic, and gluten-free items
• An abundant selection of fresh produce and meat backed by Food Lion's double-your-money-back guarantee and a larger selection of Nature’s Promise beef, pork, poultry, milk, eggs, bottled water, cereal, coffee, and other items. Nature’s Promise is Food Lion’s brand of wholesome and organic products that are made with no artificial flavors, preservatives, or synthetic colors
• Hand-battered chicken as well as a greater selection of easy and affordable complete meals for families and a wider variety of grab-and-go items and pre-sliced deli meats and cheeses, which are sliced fresh daily and available for customers to pick up without waiting in line
• A more efficient checkout process, making it easier to get in, out, and on your-way
• Fully-remodeled stores featuring new signage and groupings of like products to make it easier to locate items faster

Six stores will have walk-in produce coolers designed to keep produce fresher, longer. These lucky stores are in Andrews, Columbia, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, and Ravenel. Also, consistent with Food Lion's focus on fighting hunger in its local communities through Food Lion Feeds, it is also partnering with Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia and Lowcountry Food Bank in Charleston to unveil trucks to help feed families in need in remote locations. The donation, totaling more than $200,000, increases capacity for the food banks and was discussed at the 10 a.m., July 16 press conference held at the Food Lion store in Columbia, South Carolina.

Seeing as there is still 20 percent left, will there be more plans in the future in continuing this aggressive remodel plan? AndNowUKnow will keep you up to date on more news to come.

Food Lion