Hannaford’s new remodels focus on fresh

Hannaford Supermarkets has completed remodels at Portland-area stores in Maine as part of efforts to bolster its fresh offering and provide more shopper conveniences.

The Scarborough, Maine-based chain, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, today plans to begin holding weekend grand reopening events at four stores — Portland Riverside, Westbrook, Gorham and Falmouth — through May 5. The events will offer samples from the stores’ expanded kitchens and area vendors, coupons, product giveaways and other activities, as well as weekly themes (kitchen/deli, local items, wellness and the Taste of Inspirations private brand).

All four stores sport a new look, including an enhanced design highlighting fresh food and an enlarged produce department, which “now has the abundant feel of a green grocery store within the supermarket,” according to Hannaford.

In prepared foods, new offerings include an in-store sushi chef, hand-battered fried chicken, sandwiches and salads made in-store, and a hot bar with entree options. The Falmouth and Westbrook stores also now offer a stir-fry bar. Customers also will be able to put together their own six-pack of beer and choose from fresh-cut, grab-and-go seafood and deli items.  

New amenities at the four stores include expanded self-checkout and the Hannaford to Go online grocery pickup service. Hannaford noted that nearly every item in the store is available for purchase via Hannaford To Go, and orders are picked and packed by store associates. In addition, the retailer said it has expanded the pharmacy department at all four stores to include a private consultation room, where patients can receive a vaccination or speak privately with a pharmacist.

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“We’re excited to offer our customers more convenient and fresh options while also maintaining our commitment to low everyday prices,” Hannaford spokeswoman Ericka Dodge commented. “The new renovations show how Hannaford is investing in services like Hannaford to Go and offerings like our expanded kitchen that will provide even more options for our customers.”

So far this year, Hannaford has reopened two other remodeled stores, located in Topsham and Auburn, Maine. The chain upgraded six stores in New York, Maine and Vermont last year. Construction of a new 50,000-square-foot store in Brunswick, Maine, is slated to start this summer, and the retailer has announced plans to build a 49,000-square-foot store in Rome, N.Y., and a 38,000-square-foot store in Ballston, N.Y. One new store was opened last year in Mechanic Falls, Maine.

Overall, Hannaford operates 181 stores in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.