Lidl to Acquire Six Shoppers Food Stores
VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND - It seems as though the industry just got word of UNFI’s recent divestment of 13 stores of its Shoppers Food Stores banner, and while initial reports contained few details, new information on the buyers has been revealed. German-based grocer Lidl has announced its acquisition of six of the 13 Shoppers locations being sold throughout Virginia and Maryland.
“We plan to acquire six properties in Maryland and Virginia from UNFI. In Maryland, this includes sites in Annapolis, Brooklyn Park, Oxon Hill, Takoma Park, and Wheaton. In Virginia, it includes a Shoppers store in Burke,” Public Relations and Communications Manager William Harwood commented to news source WTOP.
Lidl has been in the midst of aggressive expansion, targeting regions overseas as well as the East Coast of the U.S., where the retailer plans to open 25 new stores by the spring of next year.
Four Shoppers locations will be closing as a part of UNFI’s divestment, but the six that Lidl acquired will join the retailer’s 65 existing stores along the East Coast.
“We will be making significant investments in the redevelopment of the sites, and will have more to share in terms of the grand opening timeline at the end of next year,” Harwood said.
What will be the next phase of Lidl’s expansion, and is the retailer looking for more stores to acquire in addition to the new ones it plans to build? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
