Virginia abruptly loses 6 grocery stores as economic downturn accelerates

The economic downturn has even come to Virginia.

For years the Old Dominion has been seemingly immune to economic problems as its businesses have flourished.

And then came the trade war.

Virginia has been rocked by a string of painful and embarrassing factory closures that have disproportionately hurt rural areas…

And now, unfortunately, the damage has spread to the grocery sector.

These six grocery stores have recently closed around Virginia:

• Amazon Fresh (Manassas)
• Harris Teeter (Arlington – George Mason Drive)
• Harris Teeter (Arlington – Glebe Road)
• Harris Teeter (Tysons)
• Kroger (Charlottesville)
• Kroger (Abingdon)

As you can see, these closures aren’t limited to one section of the state – they’re all over.

It’s also not completely shocking to see several grocery stores closing as the trade war wreaks havoc.

Grocery stores are a low-margin business at the best of times, and these are distinctly not the best of times.

Food service businesses – and that includes grocery stores – have been struggling for years with stubborn inflation, labor shortages, and other overhanging challenges from the pandemic.

The trade war has exacerbated all of this, plus it has introduced problems of its own.

Logistics supply chains have gotten snarled as companies try to figure out the new and rapidly changing trade landscape, plus demand for American goods has declined in other markets. That decline in exports, plus the declines in domestic demand as Americans ratchet back spending…

Well, put it all together, and it’s something of a perfect storm for food companies in general and grocery stores in particular.

So it’s not shocking to see these stores closing down – but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a real blow to these communities.

Everyone wants fresh food, and grocery stores are an important part of that access.

Where are you shopping now that these stores have closed? Let us know in the comments!

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