Economy
With recent announcement, can Stop & Shop lure customers from Market Basket during MB turmoil?
With an announcement this week from a major supermarket chain, could we see a shift in customer sentiment in Massachusetts and Rhode Island?
Stop & Shop this week announced it is rolling out lower prices at every one of its 88 stores across Eastern Massachusetts that began on Friday. The rollout is expected to be completed by the end of the month, and shoppers will see lower everyday prices on thousands of items spanning nearly every department, including both national brands and Stop & Shop’s own private label products. With this latest effort, Stop & Shop has now implemented lower everyday prices across all of its 116 store locations in Massachusetts. This initiative is part of the broader, multi-year transformation strategy Stop & Shop announced in May 2024 that includes lower prices, store remodels and a renewed focus on driving a better in-store experience for local customers.
“Massachusetts is our home, and bringing meaningful savings to millions of customers right in our backyard is an important milestone in our broader strategy,” said Roger Wheeler, President of Stop & Shop. “We know that value matters now more than ever, and this price investment – which is the largest one we’ve executed to date – is just one example of the work we’re focused on to deliver a great experience for our customers in terms of value, high-quality products, and service in our stores.”
Customers can spot the new price reductions in store through yellow tags highlighting the new everyday price versus old pricing. Examples of new everyday pricing on staple items include*:
| Item | Was | Is Now | % Decrease |
| Stop & Shop Italian Bread (16 oz) | $2.49 | $1.79 | 28% |
| Stop & Shop Rotisserie Chicken (30 oz) | $7.99 | $6.49 | 19% |
| Russet Potatoes (5-pound bag) | $3.99 | $3.69 | 8% |
| Chobani Non-Fat Yogurt (5.3 oz) | $1.79 | $1.49 | 17% |
| Stop & Shop Brand Bacon (16 oz) | $6.99 | $6.49 | 7% |
| College Inn Chicken Broth (32 oz) | $3.49 | $2.79 | 20% |
| Sargento Shredded Cheese (8 oz) | $4.29 | $3.99 | 7% |
| Stop & Shop Brand Pasta (16 oz) | $1.29 | $0.99 | 23% |
| Stop & Shop Brand Ice Cream Carton (48 oz) | $3.79 | $3.39 | 11% |
*Prices and availability may vary by location.
With recent turmoil at Market Basket, can these lower prices put a dent into their customer base?
The supermarket chain has been in the headlines in 2025 due to an escalating internal leadership crisis reminiscent of its 2014 family feud.
According to NBC Boston, Market Basket is embroiled in a high-profile boardroom battle involving CEO Arthur Demoulas, who was placed on administrative leave in May amid disputes over succession planning and control of the company.
The conflict pits Demoulas against his three sisters, who control a majority stake and the board, leading to the ousting of key allies like board member Bill Shea on August 18 and earlier firings of executives Joe Schmidt and Tom Gordon.
The board accused the fired executives of trespassing at stores and headquarters, securing a court-ordered restraining order on August 14 to bar them from company properties.
Demoulas has accused the board of silencing employees and attempting a hostile takeover, while the sisters propose an employee stock ownership plan to resolve the feud and ensure long-term stability.
Mediation is scheduled for September 3rd, with both sides expressing hope to avoid litigation.
Despite the turmoil, Market Basket maintains strong popularity for its affordable pricing.
Foot traffic data shows steady visits though the feud has led to mixed sentiments on social media, including praise for customer service and calls for boycotts echoing 2014. Overall, loyalty remains high, but the ongoing saga could test it if unresolved.
How the supermarket war in southern New England plays out remains to be seen.
