After Trumbull complaints, Stop & Shop says company takes quality ‘very seriously’
TRUMBULL — Stop & Shop has no plans to remodel its Trumbull location this year, but the company says the brand is committed to providing quality products after town residents complained about conditions at the store through an online petition that has gathered about 400 signatures.
“The safety and quality of our products at Stop & Shop is something we take very seriously,” said a statement shared by Jennifer Barr, director of external communications and community relations. “We have check points throughout the day to ensure proper storage temperatures are met, and we continuously monitor our systems and products from both a quality and safety standpoint.”
The grocery chain, which is headquartered in Massachusetts, has 19 stores in Connecticut, according to the company's website.
The discussion about the store began March 3 when
Susan O'Shea, 56, posted the petition on Change.org complainting about the condition of the store at 100 Quality Street and calling for immediate action.
O'Shea's complaints included produce and meats expiring soon after purchase, frozen food she said seemed to have defrosted and refrozen and overall cleanliness and maintenance.
Stop and Shop officials addressed the residents' concerns saying, “Stop & Shop is grateful to be the neighborhood grocer in Trumbull, where we have served the community since 1979, and we appreciate residents reaching out to share their feedback.”
In a statement the company highlighted the recent changes it has made to stores in Connecticut.
“While our Trumbull location is not currently scheduled for a remodel in 2024, we've continued to make improvements to the customer experience in recent years including the addition of Online Pickup and the Flashfood program to help reduce our environmental footprint,” the statement said.
In 2023 the company launched an app designed to reduce food waste by discounting food that is nearing its best by date, the statement said. The Flashfood app allows shoppers to save up to 50 percent off items nearing their best-by dates like meats, dairy, seafood, fresh produce and baked goods.
Toronto-based Flashfood launched its partnership with Stop & Shop in Worcester, Mass. in 2021 and has since expanded to nearly 170 of the chain's stores in four states, including Connecticut, according to the company.
The statement continued that the brand stands by its “freshness guarantee” detailed on its website.
“If any perishable product purchased in our meat, seafood, produce, dairy, bakery, floral, or deli department does not meet a customer's standards for freshness and quality, they can return the item and will receive double their money back,” the statement said.