Marsh to Close 8 Stores, Rebrand Others

Jan. 9, 2014 Jon Springer

Marsh Supermarkets 2013

Marsh Supermarkets on Thursday said it would close eight stores by the end of this month, citing lower customer counts and in some cases, expiring store leases.

The Indianapolis-based retailer, however, also announced a three-year investment plan for its remaining stores — including rebranding all but two of its stores under the Marsh banner. The company will retire the Main Street Markets banner, currently used by 20 of Marsh’s 78 stores. The two O’Malia’s Food Markets stores will retain their name, a spokeswoman told SN Thursday.

“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 said in a statement. “This action is the first part of a three-year plan we are implementing this year to position Marsh Supermarkets for growth and profitability.  More specifically, 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.”

Read more: Indianapolis Due for a Shakeup?

Stores to close are located in Muncie, Ind. (West Bethel and South Madison); Indianapolis (Lafayette Road and Thompson/Emerson); Franklin, Ind.; Lebanon, Ind.; Speedway, Ind. (Crawford Rd.) and in Franklin, Ohio.

Marsh said it would try to place impacted employees at other openings in the company.