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Bloom Now Food Lion

I walked into my neighborhood Bloom grocery store this morning and it was a Food Lion!

Apparently, Delhaize American announced in January it was converting some of its Bloom stores to Food Lion as the company embarks on a new strategy for future growth. 

According to Food Lion Spokeswoman Tenisha Waldo, the company converted four Bloom stores in Manassas to Food Lion locations. The stores at 6306 Hoadly Road and 13490 Dumfries Road converted on April 22; and the stores at 9121 Centerville Road and 10159 Hastings Drive converted Sunday, April 29. The Bottom Dollar Food store at 8313 Sudley Road in Manassas will also convert to a Food Lion later this year, Waldo said. 

Delhaize America announced at the beginning of the year it was retiring the Bloom brand  in an effort to "accelerate the roll out of the Food Lion brand strategy" in Virginia and Maryland to an additional 600 or 700 stores. In addition to the conversions, some underperforming Bloom stores were shut down.

"We believe the stores will better meet customer needs through low prices and quality products," the company said in a press release. 

Delhaize America is a leading supermarket operator that employs over 100,000 full and part time employees.

The company said the new strategic plan, which also includes closing 113 Food Lion stores, resulted in nearly 5,000 employees being "displaced," but workers at converted stores would most likely continue to work at the locations.

Waldo said Customers will find many of the same great quality products at lower prices at Food Lion, which is focusing on being a price leader in the market, while offering fresh produce, a simple shopping environment and excellent private brand products.

Currently, there is no difference with the exception of a new storefront sign and Food Lion MVP customer discount card, which Waldo said customers should sign up for to receive special prices on more than 4,000 items each week.

More about Delhaize America: Delhaize America is a leading supermarket operator with more than 1,600 stores in 16 states in the eastern United States. Delhaize America operates under the banners Bottom Dollar Food, Food Lion, Harveys, Hannaford Supermarkets, Reid's and Sweetbay, each of which has a distinct strategy and a well-established brand image. Through its multiple banners, Delhaize America is able to target the needs and requirements of specific markets, customize its product and service offerings and maintain strong brand recognition with its local customers. Delhaize America employs approximately 107,000 full-time and part-time associates.

Erin Gibson (Editor) May 1, 2012 at 09:57 pm
Does the change to Food Lion make you less or more likely to shop at the local stores?
Garth Graham May 2, 2012 at 12:30 pm
5th paragraph should be "employs" instead of "employees" and 6th paragraph should be "displaced" instead of "displace".
Robyn M Johnson May 2, 2012 at 12:37 pm
That is so funny because just on Sunday I noticed a Food Lion sign on the entry way to the apartments behind Food Lion on Hastings and I just thought that it was a sign that they never took down since it was in an odd place Now I understand. I shop at Giant, even though I know it's probably more expensive than Food Lion and Shoppers, but I'm a creature of habit.
Erin Gibson (Editor) May 2, 2012 at 03:28 pm
Thanks Garth...sometimes the editor needs an editor =) Appreciated the email as well.
Erin Gibson (Editor) May 2, 2012 at 03:36 pm
Did you shop at Blooms, though? Will you continue to shop there now that it is Food Lion? I have to say I have never liked shopping at Food Lion because the quality of food, and unless the brand is completely different now, I am disappointed in the switch because I did shop at Bloom.
Julie S. May 2, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Agree Erin, I didn't really go there when it was a Food Lion and found the Bloom to be a welcome change. I was a pretty regular Bloom shopper as the Giant was a mess with interior changes, a bit more pricey for day-to-day stuff, and harder to keep track of where all the stuff was as they moved it a lot. I am definitely disappointed that it is changing back and can already see a bit decline in the produce section. Less variety and "aged".
Carolyn May 3, 2012 at 11:40 pm
I agree with Erin and Julie. I shopped Bloom from time to time but I won't shop Food Lion...I don't like their brands or their quality. I will drive and pay more to shop Harris Teeter.
Erin, perhaps you should survey people "What's your favorite grocery store" :).
Andrea Annibale May 8, 2012 at 01:30 pm
I live right around the corner and I used to go to Bloom to pick up some food items but did all my major shopping at Giant or Harris Teeter. I don't think I will be shopping at Food Lion at all. Giant is right there. I really liked Bloom
Erin Gibson (Editor) May 8, 2012 at 01:35 pm
That is a good idea, Carolyn. Thanks!

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