Stop & Shop cuts prices, puts kiosks in R.I. stores; eyes remodels
Stop & Shop is making some big changes at stores in the smallest state.
Stop & Shop, an Ahold Delhaize USA banner that is one of the largest grocery chains on the East Coast, is lowering prices and fees and rolling out new customer-facing kiosks at its 25 stores in Rhode Island.
These changes come as the grocer says it is investing in more store remodels, such as newly refreshed location in Richmond, R.I., which will be complete later in October. Stop & Shop says it is listening to customer feedback and will, over time, make more changes across all areas of the store.
Highlights from the new Rhode Island store changes, which come following a letter from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) to Frans Muller, CEO of Ahold Delhaize expressing concerns the company’s use of pricing algorithms is leading to price gouging, follow:
Price and fee cuts
Stop & Shop is lowering everyday regular prices on thousands of items across national and private brand products. On average, the retailer says customers will see reductions in the everyday pricing of 3,500 products on average across each store.
The company is also eliminating its 10-cent paper bag fee at all stores across the state, making them once again free for Rhode Island shoppers.
Shoppers can find the price reductions in-store through yellow tags highlighting the new versus old pricing. Examples of new everyday pricing on staple items include:
Item | Is Now | Was | % Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|
Boneless Chicken Breast Value Pack | $2.79/lb. | $3.99/lb. | 30% |
Hass Avocados | $1.25 each | $1.66 each | 25% |
Kraft Shredded Cheese (8 oz.) | $3.49 | $4.29 | 19% |
Yoplait Yogurts (6 oz.) | $.89 each | $1.00 each | 11% |
Lay’s Potato Chips (7.75/8-oz. bags) | $3.49 | $4.99 | 30% |
Green Mountain Coffee K-Cups (10-12 count) | $8.99 | $10.99 | 18% |
Land O’Lakes Butter (16 oz.) | $6.29 | $7.39 | 15% |
Stop & Shop Brand Pasta (16 oz.) | $1.19 | $1.39 | 14% |
Stop & Shop Brand Apple Juice (64 oz.) | $1.99 | $2.49 | 20% |
In-store kiosks
Stop & Shop will also install in-store kiosks, called Savings Stations, across Rhode Island. At the kiosks, customers can scan their rewards loyalty card or enter their phone number to instantly activate all digital coupons associated with their account.
The kiosks also automatically activate customers’ personal offers, which are targeted deals just for them based on items they buy most. Stop & Shop says it is the first grocery retailer in Rhode Island to make digital coupons more accessible to all customers and the installment of Savings Stations across the state is part of a larger effort to install these kiosks brand wide by early 2025.
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Earlier this year, Stop & Shop announced a multi-year strategy to improve the customer experience through price investments, store remodels, and a focus on in-store service, which it says this statewide effort in Rhode Island is part of.
"Today, we are announcing a significant investment in our Rhode Island Stop & Shop stores that will deliver a better shopping experience and bring more value to our local customers," said Roger Wheeler, president, Stop & Shop. "We have been listening to our customers – and we have heard you. That is why we’re making it possible to buy more groceries for your family, at a lower cost, at every one of our stores in Rhode Island."
