Grocery chain with dozens of locations to shut down outlet that replaced Target – bosses admit sales not solely to blame

FESTIVAL Foods is set to shutter one of its stores and lay off almost 100 workers due to several issues cited by bosses. The family-owned grocery chain with dozens of locations throughout Wisconsin will permanently close its store in Greenfield. GETTYFestival Foods will shutter its Greenfield location in Wisconsin in November (stock image)[/caption] GettyBosses have confirmed that it is not only a lack of sales that caused an issue for the location (stock image)[/caption] A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing was issued by the company on Tuesday, confirming the news. “Despite the hard work of the Greenfield team, the sales of this store never reached the goals we had for it,” Brian Stenzel, the senior director of community involvement for Festival Foods said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He admitted that the closure was a tough decision to make and that sales were not the only deciding factor. “While sales are the largest factor driving the decision to close this location, we also have seen an increase in theft and safety-related incidents impacting our guests and associates.” LAYOFFS The WARN notice revealed that 91 workers will be laid off when the location closes on November 4. Only three employees from the Greenfield team will be retained by the company and transferred elsewhere. The closure notice comes just three years after the store opened, replacing Target. City officials and fans of the chain are sad to see it leave the neighborhood. “Festival is a great company that recognizes the value of being part of community,” Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said. “That recognition translated to generously participating in, and donating to, our community without great fanfare. “This is not something seen by many of the largest grocers.” He added that the neighborhood would be worse off after the closure as the chain gave back to the local community. “Festival put their money where their spirit is, while the bigger players seem to put their resources into advertising the promotion of an image of virtue.” FUTURE FEARS Meanwhile, loyal shoppers are equally disappointed by the news. “This is truly a bummer…This is where I shop,” Facebook user Donna Morris wrote in the comments to a post about the closure. “Please rethink your decision Festival! I come from Bay View because it is such a nice store to shop at. This really makes me sad,” another begged. While sales are the largest factor driving the decision to close this location, we also have seen an increase in theft and safety-related incidents impacting our guests and associates. Brian Stenzel,Senior director of community involvement for Festival Foods “What??? So many wonderful employees!” one said after hearing the news of the layoffs. “Good luck to you amazing workers that greeted me with a smile & always accommodated me, with a replacement product if they were out! So sad!!!” Meanwhile, others spelled trouble for the chain. “I just hope Festival Foods won’t go bankrupt in the future,” one wrote as others blamed “rampant shoplifting” for the state of the retail industry which is seeing numerous closures. However, Stenzel reassured shoppers, saying that there are no plans to close any other stores as the chain focuses on expanding its operational footprint. Two new Festival Food stores will be opening in Kimberly and Hudson in a few months. Meanwhile, other shoppers are experiencing closures as Stop & Shop is set to lose more than 30 locations in November. The move will impact customers in New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It comes as company president Gordon Reis said the closures would create a healthy base for the brand’s future growth. Dollar General is also closing several stores, all in the same area, as shoppers were confronted with closure notices. 32 closing Stop & Shop locations Stop & Shop has announced the closure of 32 location in the Northeast. All the stores will be closed on or before November 2. Connecticut: 100 Division St., Ansonia 211 High St., Torrington 1937 West Main St., Stamford 855 Bridgeport Ave., Milford 72 Newtown Road, Danbury Massachusetts: 932 North Montello St., Brockton 36 New State Highway, Raynham 341 Plymouth St., Halifax 539-571 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 165 Needham St., Newton 415 Cooley St., Springfield 545 Lincoln St. Worcester 24 Mattakeesett St., Pembroke New Jersey: 1083 Inman Ave., Edison 1049 US Highway 1 South, Edison 4861 US Highway 9, Howell 1278 US Highway 22, Phillipsburg 581 Stelton Rd., Piscataway 625 Paterson Ave., Carlstadt 1221 State Route 27, Franklin Township 130 Skyline Dr., Ringwood 505 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach 2275 West County Line Rd., Jackson New York: 2965 Crops