Food Lion is set to open a new grocery store in Garner, North Carolina, on July 24, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy. This opening aligns with Ahold Delhaize’s broader “Growing Together” initiative, which emphasizes organic store growth throughout the United States. The new location at 55 Ford Meadows Drive is strategically situated near downtown Raleigh, a region where Food Lion has established roots over nearly 50 years since its first store opened in 1975.
In this competitive landscape, Food Lion is actively identifying “white space” opportunities, as President Meg Ham highlighted. This approach aims to target areas where competition is limited and populations are growing. Garner already hosts four Food Lion stores, indicating a robust local presence that the new store will enhance.
Beyond new openings, Food Lion is investing $350 million to modernize existing locations in Raleigh and Durham. Renovations will provide upgraded shopping experiences with features like self-checkout, expanded product assortments, and improved decor. The investments also focus on ready-to-eat meals and sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient LED lighting.
As part of its commitment to quality, the new Garner store will offer an extensive range of fresh produce, including a walk-in garden cooler and in-store prepared items like freshly made sushi. Additionally, customers can expect a wide variety of organic and plant-based products from Food Lion’s Nature’s Promise brand.
Store manager Tom Beauchesne expresses enthusiasm about the new location, emphasizing the commitment to providing an enjoyable shopping experience. This opening features a ribbon-cutting ceremony and rewards for the first 100 customers, showcasing Food Lion’s intent to create excitement within the community. The retailer operates over 1,100 stores across ten southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, solidifying its position as a leading grocery chain while striving for sustainability accolades, including the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award.
As Food Lion continues to expand and enhance its offerings, consumers in the Raleigh area can look forward to more convenient and sustainable shopping options.
