QFC to close 2 Seattle stores, citing new hazard pay law

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Quality Food Centers, a Kroger Co. brand, will close two Seattle stores in response to the city’s hazard pay law, which went into effect on Feb. 3.

QFC in a Tuesday press release said the stores were “underperforming” and the permanent closures were “accelerated by the Seattle City Council mandate” that requires large grocers pay an extra $4 per hour to employees during the pandemic.

“These two stores were already struggling and the Seattle City Council decision made it impossible for us to run a financially sustainable business,” Tiffany Sanders, QFC corporate affairs manager, told the Business Journal.

The stores, located at 416 15th Ave. E. on Capitol Hill and 8400 35th Ave. NE in Wedgwood, will operate through April 24. QFC currently operates 15 stores in the city of Seattle.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/02/16/qfc-seattle-store-closures.html

[VMA131Marine]

1. Yes, it's much easier to run a "sustainable" business when

you pay your workforce poverty level wages and have taxpayers subsidise you through social programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

It sounds like these stores weren’t doing well even before this though so maybe the problem was just piss-poor management.

[DBoon]

2. The same Kroger that closed stores in Long Beach, CA for this reason?

Are they going for a Scrooge Award or something?

[sheshe2]

3. I call bullshit.

I am out of free reads, however I will comment.

As I see it markets are doing the best business because people have to eat. The market that I shop at is a small local chain, not one I usually shop at as they are expensive. However they offer pick ups and deliveries and since my sister pays the small fee I shop for what is on sale. This market has always given back to the community food banks, schools and hospitals.

Something is up with QFC and it isn't hazard pay.

[Grokenstein]

4. Don't worry...

They'll somehow scrounge up the cash to launch a million-dollar PR campaign to make it sound like they did it "for the people."