Food Lion Plans to Remodel 142 North Carolina Stores in 2016

Food Lion will remodel 142 stores in the greater Charlotte, N.C., market in 2016. In an effort to make shopping easier and more affordable for its customers, the company will make a $215 million investment in its stores. This includes remodeling the stores, additional price investments throughout the year and investments in associates and the community through its Food Lion Feeds initiatives. 

"We're proud to have been a part of the greater Charlotte community since 1957, and are excited to bring our newest format to our hometown market," says Meg Ham, Food Lion president. "As we near our 60th anniversary in this market, we look forward to making significant investments in our stores, our customers, our associates and our communities to offer a new grocery shopping experience. We want to ensure our customers can easily find fresh, quality products to nourish their families at affordable prices every day, delivered with caring, friendly service every time they shop."

Since Food Lion launched its "Easy, Fresh and Affordable. You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day!" strategy in May 2014, the grocer has brought enhancements to its Charlotte stores including product expansion, new registers, price investments and enhanced service, say company officials. When the remodels are complete, customers will be able to take advantage of key benefits, which include: 

These remodels are expected to be completed in stores on a rolling basis between May and October 2016. Food Lion will continue to launch enhancements across all of its nearly 1,100 stores in 2016, as well as remodel additional markets over time. Charlotte is the fourth area to be remodeled. The company remodeled 162 stores in the greater Raleigh, N.C., area in 2015, along with 76 stores in the greater Wilmington, N.C., and Greenville, N.C., markets in 2014.

Food Lion's investment is also extended to the local community. The grocer has committed $1.5 million to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina's warehouse expansion. Through this new facility, Second Harvest will provide the food bank with new capacity to broaden its work to end hunger in the 16-county region it supports in the greater Charlotte area. The expansion will also offer access to healthier, fresher food so those in need can nourish their families and meet basic needs to help them get back on their feet.

"As we announce a significant commitment to remodel our 142 stores to better serve our customers, we are proud to be able to also help Second Harvest better serve the Charlotte community," says Ham. "Through the new Food Lion Feeds center, we are making a significant and long-term commitment to helping the food bank expand its capabilities to offer fresher, healthier food to those in our community who are struggling with hunger."

"Second Harvest and Food Lion have served the Charlotte community together for more than 25 years, and I'm thrilled our strong partnership will continue through the opening of the Food Lion Feeds Center, says Kay Carter, chief executive officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. "Food Lion's associates are truly dedicated to making sure those who are hungry don't have to make tough choices, whether it's providing a fresh, healthy meal on the table or groceries in the pantry."

Serving 10 million customers each week at nearly 1,100 locations in 10 states, Food Lion was founded in 1957 and still calls Salisbury, N.C., its hometown. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company will donate 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020.