From the D.C. suburbs to the Baltimore metro area, shoppers are seeing a shift in where—and how—they access their daily essentials.
The Final Fade of Shoppers Food
Once a dominant force in the Mid-Atlantic, Shoppers Food (owned by UNFI) has continued its multi-year contraction. Following a round of closures in late 2025, the chain is entering Spring 2026 with a drastically reduced footprint.
- Recent and Upcoming Closures: Several key locations in Essex, New Carrollton, Waldorf, and Westminster have recently shuttered or are in their final clearance phases.
- The Strategy: Parent company UNFI has been vocal about “optimizing its retail footprint” to focus on its wholesale business. For many Marylanders, this marks the end of an era for a brand once known for its warehouse-style savings and signature “colossal” donuts.
- Community Impact: Lawmakers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties have expressed concern over “food deserts” created by these exits, particularly in areas where Shoppers served as a primary affordable grocery anchor.
Giant Food and the Digital Shift
Giant Food, a staple of Maryland neighborhoods, is making strategic moves that prioritize speed over square footage. While not closing all traditional storefronts, the company is fundamentally changing how it operates.
- Fulfillment Center Closures: Giant is shuttering centralized e-commerce fulfillment centers (including a major facility in Manassas that served the DMV area) in favor of in-store fulfillment.
- What this means for you: Instead of groceries coming from a massive warehouse, your “Giant Pickup” or delivery orders will now be picked directly from the shelves of your local Maryland store. This move is designed to offer faster delivery times—often under 30 minutes—but may lead to more “shoppers” in the aisles during peak hours.
- Operating Hours: In a move to combat rising operational costs and shrink, some locations have adjusted their closing times to 6:00 PM or earlier in specific zones, a trend analysts expect to continue through the spring.
Safeway and Specialty Retailers
Safeway has also seen localized shifts, with high-profile closures in areas like Rockville (specifically the Twinbrook location). In many cases, these spaces are not remaining empty but are being backfilled by international or specialty grocers like Go Fresh 365, reflecting the state’s diversifying demographics.
Additionally, luxury and discount-luxury outlets that often anchor grocery-adjacent shopping centers are feeling the pinch. Saks Off 5th has confirmed it will close its locations in Hanover (Arundel Mills) and Clarksburg this spring as part of a national downsizing.
Emerging Trends for 2026
While some doors are closing, the Maryland market is not “shrinking”—it is evolving. Here are the three trends defining this spring:
- The Rise of Private Labels: With 80% of shoppers now “trading down” to save money, Maryland grocers are expanding their store-brand offerings (like Giant’s Nature’s Promise or Safeway’s Signature Select) to keep customers from fleeing to Aldi.
- Hybrid Shopping is Standard: Over 10% of Maryland’s grocery sales are now digital. Stores are being remodeled to include larger “Click and Collect” staging areas at the front of the building.
- Wellness Anchors: As traditional supermarkets exit older shopping centers, they are increasingly being replaced by “wellness anchors” like fitness centers or medical clinics, changing the utility of local plazas.
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