by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National DeskFILE - In this Friday, March 20, 2020 file photo, customers wait in line at a Stop & Shop supermarket that opened special morning hours to serve people 60-years and older due to coronavirus concerns, in Teaneck, N.J.
," which was held in The Netherlands Thursday. He said closing the stores is part of a plan to improve the supermarket chain's overall performance. As Stop & Shop embarks on its next phase, we will be decisive and take deliberate and appropriate actions to ensure a stable future for the brand," he added.
In the U.S. alone, he said the company makes $59 billion in sales every year, with 24 million customers each week in 19 states in 2,000 stores and online platforms.