Supermarket Closing 4 MD Stores, Including 1 In Baltimore County

ESSEX, MD — A supermarket is closing four Maryland stores, including one in Baltimore County, multiple reports said.

WBFF reported that these Shoppers locations will shutter on or before Oct. 11:

• 1200 Eastern Blvd., Essex
• 7790 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton
• 1170 W. Smallwood Drive, Waldorf
• 551 Jermor Lane, Westminster

Parent company United Natural Foods, Inc. did not give an explicit reason for its closures.

"We know the impact our stores have for the people who work in, shop in, and live in our communities," UNFI said in a statement to WMAR. "Like any other retailer, we're constantly working to optimize our footprint, which includes investing in stores as well as closing stores where necessary so we can operate as effectively and efficiently as possible."

Grocery Dive reported that the closures come as "UNFI takes steps to rejuvenate its retail unit, which has recorded sluggish sales in recent quarters." UNFI is also recovering from a June cyberattack that is expected to cost at least $350 million in sales, Grocery Dive said, noting that the company's wholesale division was hardest hit.

Grocery Dive said 17 Shoppers locations will remain open in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas after these closures.

It's unclear how many employees will be affected and whether they will have the opportunity to transfer.

"We are deeply grateful to our team members for their contributions and will support them through this transition," the rest of UNFI's statement said, according to WBAL-TV. "Shoppers Food remains committed to serving our communities and our customers and looks forward to serving them from other nearby store locations or online via various grocery delivery services."