Three Bi-Lo grocery stores in the Charlotte region could become Food Lions in 2021
Three Bi-Lo stores in the Charlotte region are likely to transform into Food Lions by April 2021.
Food Lion has entered a transaction to purchase 62 Bi-Lo and Harveys Supermarket stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia from Southeastern Grocers. All the stores will be operated as Food Lions after the transaction is complete, which depends on regulatory approval and will take place from January through April of next year, according to a press release from Food Lion.
Southeastern Grocers said the stores will not begin to transition until January “in order to ensure continued service to our communities during this challenging time.”
The three stores in the Charlotte area affected by this transaction are located in Lincolnton, Gastonia and Chester, S.C.
“We are so excited to add these new locations to our more than 630 stores across Georgia and the Carolinas,” Food Lion President Meg Ham said.
Food Lion expects to hire more than 4,650 associates to staff the 62 new stores, according to the press release.
In a statement, Southeastern Grocers said the company has decided to cease operation of all Bi-Lo stores. The company sold 46 Bi-Lo stores to Food Lion in this transaction and is exploring options for the remaining Bi-Lo stores.
“The successful execution of our long-term transformation strategy may at times require difficult decisions,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, in a statement. “Today’s transactions are a critical strategic move and an important next step for our continued growth and broader evolution as a business. These actions will facilitate greater investment in our remaining footprint so we can continue to provide an exceptional shopping experience our customers can always count on.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Bi-Lo stores in the area have closed. In 2019, Southeastern Grocers closed two stores in the Charlotte area. after a previous decision to close six Bi-Lo and Harveys Supermarket stores in the area in 2018.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 3:56 PM.
