Stop & Shop to Pull Out of New Hampshire

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop said Tuesday that it would close all six of its stores in New Hampshire on or before Sept. 21.

The company, a division of Ahold USA, said the stores had underperformed.

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“We continually assess our stores and operating performance. Our six stores in New Hampshire have not achieved performance goals after many years of investment, and we have made the difficult decision to close these underperforming stores,” Joe Kelley, president of Stop & Shop’s New England Division said in a statement. “This action will allow us to focus our investment and resources on continuing to grow our business in other areas of the Northeast.”

The announcement comes only a week after West Bridgewater, Mass.-based Shaw’s Supermarkets said it would close six New Hampshire stores. Shaw’s stores are top close by Sept. 2.

Read more: Shaw's to Close 6 New Hampshire Stores

Kevin Daigle, vice president of the New Hampshire Grocers Association, told SN Tuesday that Stop & Shop has likely felt the impact of new Market Basket stores that have strengthened its share in the area in recent years.

The Stop & Shop stores set for closure include locations in Bedford, Hudson, Exeter, Milford and two locations in Manchester.