Marsh Shutting 8 Stores

Marsh Supermarkets will close eight stores before the end of the month, blaming declining customer bases and, in some cases, expiring leases as key major factors in the decision.

The Indianapolis-based grocer announced the move to employees this morning. "Customers have spoken and we are reacting to the realities of the markets and making difficult decisions to address the long-term health of the company," Marsh officials said in a press release.

3-Year Growth Plan

This action is the first part of a three-year plan Marsh is implementing to position the grocer for growth and greater profitability. "We will be implementing a major capital program to bring all stores under the Marsh brand, update and remodel existing stores and seek opportunities to build new stores in new or existing markets," the company stated.

Stores slated for closure this month are in Muncie, Ind., at West Bethel and South Madison; Indianapolis, at Lafayette Road and Thompson/Emerson; Franklin, Lebanon and Speedway – Crawfordsville Road in Indiana; and Franklin, Ohio.

"We are working with the employees affected by this decision," the company said. "Wherever possible, we will place them in another position within the company. If that is not possible, they will have a severance package."