The Maryland grocery market is in a season of change, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council.
“New stores have opened, but many have closed this year as well,” said Locklair, who also serves as president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores.
“Food is a necessity category in retail, but like many states, there are many pressures such as tariffs, thin margins, regulatory costs and inflation that may result in additional consolidation.”
United Natural Foods Inc. has shuttered eight Shoppers Food & Pharmacy locations in Maryland this fall as a means of “optimizing” its stable of stores.
