Chain has now upgraded 90% of its outlets

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has completed the remodels of 112 stores across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, the retailer said Wednesday.

The $212.5 million investment in a better shopping experience for consumers — which includes the hiring of more than 2,300 associates, will generate $360 million in economic impact across the 112 Mid-Atlantic towns and cities these Food Lion stores serve. the company added, citing an  economic impact study done by Towson University’s Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI). Food Lion’s remodels are also expected to boost state and local tax revenues by $40 million across the five states.

“Nourishing our neighbors in the towns and cities we serve is core to everything we do, and we’re excited to welcome customers to their fresh, new Food Lion,” said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. “Neighbors, many of whom have shopped in their local Food Lion for decades, are now able to enjoy a new grocery shopping experience through the significant investments in our stores, associates and communities.

“From our expanded variety and product assortment, to a more efficient check-out experience, every change we’ve made will make it easier for our customers to find the quality products they have come to expect from Food Lion. When coupled with our everyday low prices and weekly sales and promotions, customers will see that we have made it easier for them to nourish their families with everything they need on a budget.”

To help celebrate the completion of the remodels, each store will offer random giveaways through the next week, ranging from reusable shopping bags to gift cards.

Among the changes customers will see at the remodeled stores are:

• Expanded variety and assortment across all departments relevant to our customers in each store;
• More local items in our “Local Goodness” section;
• An expanded variety of craft beer and limited reserve wines;
• More natural, organic and gluten-free items;
• An abundant selection of fresh produce and meat backed by Food Lion’s double-your-money-back guarantee and a larger selection of Nature’s Promise beef, pork, poultry, milk, eggs, bottled water, cereal, coffee and other items. Nature’s Promise is Food Lion’s brand of affordable wholesome and organic products that your family can trust because they are made with no artificial flavors, preservatives or synthetic colors;
• A greater selection of easy and affordable meals for families and a wider variety of grab-and-go items and pre-sliced deli meats and cheeses, which are sliced fresh daily and available for customers to pick up without waiting in line;
• A more efficient checkout process, making it easier to get in, out, and on your way;
• Fully-remodeled stores featuring new signage and groupings of like products, to make it easier to locate items faster;
• Additional safety equipment and protocols to provide a safe and clean environment.

As part of this work, approximately 40% of these remodeled stores now offer Food Lion To-Go, Food Lion’s grocery pickup service, which allows customers to place an order online and pick up their groceries the same day. Many of these stores also offer home delivery, allowing shoppers to have Food Lion groceries delivered to their doorstep in as little as an hour. Customers can visit shop.foodlion.com or the Food Lion To-Go app to confirm availability and place orders.

Food Lion said it has also made donations to local Feeding America member food bank partners in the region, including $100,000 to the Maryland Food Bank to sponsor the Supporting Wellness At Pantries (SWAP) Initiative that aims to educate food donors, food bank partner agencies, and clients on the importance of good nutrition, $75,000 to the Food Bank of Delaware to purchase a refrigerated truck and food to for mobile market distributions to meet increased needs and $60,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank to purchase food for mobile market distributions.

Food Lion Feeds is also donating $1,000 to every feeding agency that picks up food rescue product from each of these 112 stores, for an additional $112,000 in donations. This support is in addition to ongoing support these local organizations have received from Food Lion Feeds through other product, monetary, equipment and volunteer donations.

Food Lion said it has now remodeled more than 90% of its current store network of more than 1,000 stores across a 10-state operating area.