Co-op closed 2 North Calgary grocery stores in March, citing poor sales performance – Calgary | globalnews.ca

North Calgary shoppers will lose two long-standing grocery stores. Calgary Co-op is moving forward with plans to close some of its stores — a decision that will affect dozens of jobs at both the Village Square and Beddington locations.

The stores will remain closed on March 8 due to economic reasons, officials said.

In a statement to Global News, the Calgary Co-op said the difficult decision was made with the best interests of its members in mind.

“Flying sales and increasingly difficult local economic and market conditions for these stores mean we need to reallocate resources to other, more sustainable stores,” the statement said.

Global News spoke with customers Tuesday, many of whom noted their concern for the convenience of their shopping and for the jobs of those currently at the soon-to-close locations at 8220 Center St. N and 2520 52nd St. NE. working on.

“I have had my vaccines here, Covid and flu. It’s convenient, it’s across the street,” said customer Amanda Murray. “The people here are better and have local products that other grocers don’t carry”

“(Job loss) That part of it is tough. Unless you do construction or something like that, there aren’t a lot of job opportunities.

No numbers are yet available on how many jobs are expected to be lost from these closures, but the company said it is trying to minimize losses.

The co-op said that until the closing date, stores will work closely with employee unions and reallocate those employees who wish to remain with the company.

The Co-op currently operates 21 grocery stores in Calgary. The company noted that the loss of the two locations will mean re-allocating resources to redevelop the Oak Ridge and North Hill stores and also plans to build a new Co-op in the Marda Loop.

Liquor and cannabis outlets at the Beddington and Village Square locations will remain in business.