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Food Lion takes step forward in purchase of Bi-Lo, Harveys supermarkets

FTC grants early termination of waiting period for 62-store acquisition

Russell Redman

November 11, 2020

2 Min Read
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The stores being acquired by Food Lion will remain open under the Bi-Lo and Harveys banners until the transaction is closed early next year and then be converted to the Food Lion banner.Food Lion

Ahold Delhaize USA’s Food Lion chain has received early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) waiting period from the Federal Trade Commission for its planned acquisition of 62 Bi-Lo and Harveys Supermarket stores from Southeastern Grocers.

Food Lion said late yesterday that the stores will remain open under the Bi-Lo and Harveys banners until the transaction is finalized, which is expected to occur on a staggered basis from January to April 2021, pending customary closing requirements. All of the locations are slated to be converted to the Food Lion banner.

Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion and Southeastern Grocers announced the acquisition deal in early June. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Under the agreement, Food Lion is purchasing 46 Bi-Lo and 16 Harveys stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia as well as a Bi-Lo distribution center in Mauldin, S.C. Food Lion said ADUSA Distribution LLC will serve the acquired stores and its retail network through the Mauldin facility once the transaction closes, which is expected in the first half of 2021.

“We are thrilled to move forward to add these new locations to our more than 630 existing stores across Georgia and the Carolinas,” Food Lion President Meg Ham said in a statement. “Nourishing our neighbors with fresh, quality products at affordable prices is core to everything we do. We look forward to opening these stores early next year and welcoming our neighbors in these towns and cities into their new Food Lion.”

Related:Food Lion to buy 62 Bi-Lo, Harveys stores from Southeastern Grocers

Food Lion said it has begun recruiting in communities of the Bi-Lo and Harveys stores and expects to hire more than 4,650 associates to work in those locations. ADUSA Distribution also expects to hire more than 800 associates to support Food Lion’s expanded network of stores, according to the company.

Overall, Food Lion operates more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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