Homeland Acquisition Corp. Announces Grocery Store Closures

News Summary

Homeland Acquisition Corp. has announced the closure of five grocery stores, resulting in around 85 job losses in Oklahoma and Georgia. The closures will affect four locations in Oklahoma, including United Supermarkets and Discount Foods, and one Piggly Wiggly store in Georgia. The decision is attributed to poor financial performance and operational challenges, and local leaders voice concerns about the impact on the affected communities. The company remains committed to assisting displaced employees during this transition period.

Oklahoma City – Homeland Acquisition Corp. has announced the closure of five grocery locations, resulting in the loss of approximately 85 jobs across Oklahoma and Georgia. The closures, which will take effect by August 16, 2025, include four grocery stores in Oklahoma and one in Georgia.

The affected stores in Oklahoma are as follows:

• United Supermarkets in Kingfisher
• Discount Foods in Ponca City
• Homeland stores in Jay and Pauls Valley

The single store in Georgia that will be closing is a Piggly Wiggly in Gordon.

The decision to shut down these locations was primarily influenced by poor financial performance and various operational challenges. With these closures, Homeland aims to redirect its resources toward more viable locations, allowing the company to better support other communities.

Homeland Acquisition Corp. operates an extensive network of 80 grocery stores under various banners, including Food World, Piggly Wiggly, United, CashSaver, and Homeland. The closures will reduce the number of locations in Oklahoma from 36 to 32, maintaining the company’s status as the largest locally owned grocery store chain in the state.

Local leaders have expressed concerns regarding the repercussions of these closures on the affected communities. The Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce, for instance, has indicated that the shutdowns will leave a significant void for residents in areas affected, particularly in Pauls Valley and Jay, which will lack any major grocery options following the closures. The nearest competing grocery store is approximately 40 miles away, creating challenges for residents who depend on these locations for their daily needs.

In response to the impending job losses, the Western Oklahoma Workforce Development Board is mobilizing resources to assist displaced employees. The board is focused on providing job placement assistance and other support services to help affected workers transition into new employment opportunities quickly.

Amid these closures, insights from industry experts highlight a broader trend within the grocery sector. Conventional supermarkets are increasingly finding themselves under pressure from a rise in competition, particularly from mass merchandisers, club stores, discount retailers, and specialty grocers. Experts note that factors such as high inflation, changing consumer habits, and the arrival of new market entrants are contributing to the challenges faced by traditional grocery retailers.

The grocery industry has seen similar movements recently; for instance, Kroger has announced plans to close 60 of its stores over the next 18 months to enhance operational efficiencies.

In light of the closures, Homeland Acquisition Corp. is prepared to assist affected employees during the transition process, including exploring potential relocation opportunities within its existing network of stores. The company remains committed to supporting its workforce as they navigate this challenging period.

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