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The Randalls grocery chain announced Thursday it will close three underperforming Houston-area stores.
The locations at 5800 New Territory Boulevard in Sugar Land, 9420 College Park Drive in The Woodlands, and the Flagship Randalls at 2075 Westheimer will all close over the next month, according to a company spokesperson.
For retail observers, the development is not much of a surprise. The former Houston-based chain, now owned by Albertsons, was once the go-to grocery in Houston. But competition has taken its toll, from the likes of market-leader HEB, Kroger, Wal-Mart and others. Industry research shows Randalls controls less than 4 percent of the area’s grocery business.
Commercial real estate and retail expert Jason Baker of Baker-Katz. says Randalls was outmaneuvered by competitors with bigger stores and better services, prices and products.
“The best grocery stores are really good retailers,” says Baker. “Randalls has missed out.”
Responding to the news on Facebook, many consumers complained the they’ve avoided Randalls because the prices are too high. At least one local shopper, though, was unhappy with the news that her local store will soon close, saying she will miss the convenience and friends who work there.
Randalls sent FOX 26 this statement:
Randalls, like all retailers, continually evaluate the performance of our portfolio of stores. After a great deal of careful analysis, we have made the decision to close three of our Houston area stores. Closing an underperforming store is always a tough decision, but sometimes a necessary step to position the company for greater success and growth. We are working toward providing opportunities for the employees of these stores at other Randalls locations.
Randalls has proudly served Houston since 1966, and we remain committed to all the markets we serve.