Major Grocery Store Chain to Permanently Close Store in Austin, Texas
Randalls at Research Boulevard in North Austin is set to shut down permanently by Saturday, February 10, a decision that has left many local shoppers fairly unhappy. The closure will affect all 76 employees, though the company’s management is working to reassign the associates to other Randalls locations in order to avoid any layoffs.
Underperformance and Decreasing Foot Traffic Cited as Reasons for Closure
The decision to shutter the store is rooted in underperformance and a declining number of footfalls, according to a company spokesperson. This decision, however, is independent of the company’s potential merger with Kroger, as confirmed by the company’s spokesperson, who mentioned that the closure is not in any way linked to the prospective merger.
Impact on Local Customers and Reddit Reactions
Local customers are expressing their discontent with the closure, particularly those who frequent the Research Boulevard Randalls for prescriptions, as they will now have to visit the Mesa Drive location instead. Online, members of the community have aired their grievances on Reddit, with one user expressing sadness over the store’s closing and reminiscing about the store’s peaceful shopping environment and friendly staff.
Other users have also shared their disappointment in losing another shopping option, although some have found a silver lining in the form of potential discounts on goods offered during the store’s final weeks of operation. This news has led to mixed reactions, with some expressing sadness at the closure while others are looking forward to securing grocery discounts before the doors are closed for good.