Food Lion continues remodeling push

Food Lion is making a major investment in store remodels.



The grocer announced it will remodel 142 stores in the greater Charlotte, N.C., market in 2016. Food Lion said it will invest $215 million in the stores, which includes remodeling, additional price investments throughout the year and investments in associates and the community through its Food Lion Feeds initiatives.



Charlotte is the fourth area to be remodeled. Food Lion launched its updated store model in May 2014 as part of its "Easy, Fresh and Affordable. You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day!" strategy. The company remodeled 162 stores in the greater Raleigh, N.C., area in 2015, along with 76 stores in the greater Wilmington, N.C., and Greenville, N.C., markets in 2014.



"We're proud to have been a part of the greater Charlotte community since 1957, and are excited to bring our newest format to our hometown market," said Food Lion president Meg Ham. "As we near our 60th anniversary in this market, we look forward to making significant investments in our stores, our customers, our associates and our communities to offer a new grocery shopping experience.”



The remodels are designed to make the stores easier to navigate and shop so customers can get in and out of the store quickly. The remodeled locations will also feature expanded assortments, such as more local products, natural and organic selections and healthier snack options.



The remodels are expected to be completed in stores on a rolling basis between May and October 2016.



Food Lion will continue to launch enhancements across all of its nearly 1,100 stores in 2016, as well as remodel additional markets over time, the company said.



Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., has nearly 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 65,000 associates.