Quality Foods is shutting down the Errington distribution centre it has used for more than three decades, with plans to receive groceries from owner Pattison Food Group’s partner warehouses on the Lower Mainland.
The Pattison Food Group owns several grocery-related businesses, including Save-on-Foods.
The closure is planned for the end of this year.
Quality Foods, which has 13 locations on the Island, is planning to open a 14th store in Royal Bay in Colwood on May 25.
The Errington distribution centre is more than 30 years old and is too small to service additional stores, said Justin Schley, Quality Foods vice-president.
“When we looked at opportunities to grow our business it became apparent that our current infrastructure would not be able to handle the capacity.”
Quality Foods president Noel Hayward, one of the company’s founders, said when the business first opened 40 years ago, the sector was dominated by traditional local grocery stores.
“Now, Vancouver Island is similar to other parts of sa国际传媒 with major national and international chains and warehouse stores making it extremely difficult for us to compete. To do so, Quality Foods needs to change how it services its stores,” he said in a statement. “We’re working hard to lower costs across the supply chain.”
Other than one store in Powell River, all Quality Foods stores are on Vancouver Island, where the chain was founded.
Staff at the distribution centre will be offered job options including working at local Quality Foods stores or with other Pattison Food Group companies, the company said.
The 53 staff at the distribution centre will be offered job options including working at local Quality Foods stores or with other Pattison Food Group companies, the company said.
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