76-year-old grocer closes stores amid struggles, shoppers frustrated

As we tighten our wallets in efforts to survive, looking into better deals, switching to cheaper products, and changing our habits, businesses suffer the consequences. 

Then, when our favorite supermarket and grocery retailers are forced to close their doors amid declining sales, higher food and labor expenses, and tariffs on imported goods, we, as consumers, are hit again. 

People lose their jobs, and customers have more limited options, fewer stores offering those better deals, and longer distances to reach remaining retailers. 

Economic challenges are hurting both businesses and consumers. In the past few years, many supermarket retailers and convenience store chains were forced to close their doors or even file for bankruptcy.

Supermarkets and convenience stores that have closed locations:

• Hitchcock’s Markets
• Loblaw Companies 
• Kum & Go 
• Amazon Fresh 

“The average net profit for food retailers in 2024 is 1.7%,” according to data from the Food Industry Association (FIA).

These are extremely thin margins. Supermarkets are having a hard time returning profits. 

Retail expert and TheStreet Co-Editor-in-Chief Daniel Kline pointed out: “In addition to low margins and expensive stores, traditional supermarkets and grocery stores have to compete with digital rivals.”

All these challenges have forced another popular grocery retailer to close another four locations. 

UNFI’s Shoppers closes 4 more locations amid financial struggles 

United Natural Food, Inc. (UNFI) will close four of its Shoppers Food supermarkets in Maryland by November 8, reported Grocery Dive, citing the company’s emailed statement. 

UNFI decided to close eight Shoppers stores in total this fall in an effort to reorganize its business to address financial challenges. 

“As we work to strengthen our retail business for the future, we’re taking steps to optimize our footprint where necessary while continuing to enhance the customer experience in our remaining stores,” a UNFI spokesperson stated. 

Stores closing by November 8 include:

• 4720 Cherry Hill Rd., College Park, MD 20740
• 3441 Laurel Fort Meade Rd., Laurel, MD 20724
• 18066 Mateny Rd., Germantown, MD 20874 
• 4801 Marlboro Pike, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

The grocer said it plans to support workers at the closing locations by enabling them to transfer to other locations. 

“We fully support their interest in moving to other Shoppers locations where openings are available,” the spokesperson said.

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The four new closures in Maryland follow the recent closure of another four Shoppers stores in the Old Line State. These were located in Essex, New Carrollton, Waldorf, and Westminster, Maryland. 

• 1200 Eastern Blvd., Essex, MD
• 7790 Riverdale Rd., New Carrollton, MD
• 1170 W. Smallwood Dr., Waldorf, MD
• 551 Jermor Ln., Westminster, MD

After these closures, Shoppers will still operate 13 stores in the greater Washington, D.C. area, the spokesperson added. 

Additionally, UNFI operates around 50 supermarkets in Minnesota under the Cub Foods brand, along with about 20 Cub Wine and Spirit and Cub Liquor stores. 

UNFI retail sales declining 

On September 30, UNFI reported financial results for the fourth quarter (13 weeks) ending August 2, 2025. 

The fourth quarter lasted 13 weeks, while the comparable fourth quarter of 2024 lasted 14 weeks, which is why data on net sales growth is adjusted to address the one-week period difference. Remaining figures were not adjusted, but compared to a quarter that was one week longer. 

UNFI Q4 2025 vs. Q4 2024 financial highlights: 

• Net sales of $7.7 billion, growth of 1.6% on a comparable 13-week basis.
• Net loss amounted to $87 million, compared to a loss of $37 million. 
• Adjusted EBITDA was $116 million, compared to $143 million. 
• Adjusted loss per share was $1.43, compared to adjusted loss of 63 cents per share. 
• Free cash flow was $86 million, compared to $71 million. 

These are UNFI’s consolidated results, but its retail segment saw a 8.8% drop in the quarter. Retail net sales amounted to $573 million, compared to $628 million. Even accounting for the one-week difference, retail sales are still declining if look figures on an annual basis.

For the full fiscal year ended August 2, 2025, UNFI posted retail sales of $2.34 billion, while for the full fiscal year ended August 2, 2024, retail sales amounted to a slightly higher $2.44 billion, representing a 3.9% decline. 

Customers are disappointed by Shoppers closures 

Shoppers was founded in 1949 as Jumbo Food Stores. In 2018, it was acquired by UNFI, but since then, it has faced challenges from rising competition and economic turbulence. 

While UNFI is recognized as a major grocery wholesaler, Shoppers is a regional supermarket chain in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland area. UNFI’s strategy is based on supplying a wide variety of products across thousands of stores in the U.S., and Shoppers is part of its retail segment. 

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Shoppers is known for offering a full service supermarket with a motto: “Everyday Low Warehouse Pricing.” The grocer says it double-checks prices every month to beat the competition and assure consistent affordability without “savings” cards. 

Many loyal customers were disappointed to hear the news about some of the closures. In a Reddit thread covering the closure of Shoppers store in Germantown after 30 years in business, a number of consumers shared their frustration. 

“This was my go to to purchase beer because they had low prices and now I don’t know where to go now smh what a bummer,”  wrote user M_213figueroa. 

User theski25 said the store had “the best damm doughnuts,” while more_adventurous added that Shoppers is “the best spot before a party bc you got it all in one location. what a bummer.”

User Ali3n_46 expressed disappointment with the overall shopping experience: 

That whole shopping center is depressing, CVS closed, La Casita closed, now Shoppers. All that's left is McDonald's and Dunkin'. 

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