Stop & Shop — Local services in Town of Brookhaven

For more than ten years, i have shopped at Stop & Shop and enjoyed the experience. The market offered a wide variety of name brand products, fresh and diverse produce, an excellent choice of canned and packaged goods, fresh bakery items, and quality poultry, pork, beef and fish. The commodities were organized in a logical fashion with useful signage to lead customers to whatever they sought. The introduction of portable scanner devices some years ago made checkout a fast and efficient process. Now, sadly, all of that has changed. The stores have been reconfigured, ostensibly to provide wider aisles, energy-efficient lighting, and a better customer experience -- all praiseworthy objectives. However, after shopping there 4 times three months after the reconfiguration, i have found that the basics that make for customer satisfaction have been forgotten or simply lost. Similar products are no longer grouped together to make them easier for shoppers to find; no, now similar products are found in different locations throughout the store confusng the customer. Previously, staff were knowledgeable and very helpful; now, they seem as confused as the customers about product location. Shelves which were once fully stocked now have large gaps where products should be; again, this is three months after the reorganization. Produce weigh stations are poorly located, often don't work, and force the cutomer to retrace steps to weigh items and receive printed scannable labels for the portable scanning devices issued to customers near the store's entrance. The portable scanners (one of Stop & Shop's best innovations for customers) are unreliable, and, all too often, malfunction. Yesterday, for example, i shopped for approximately $150 worth of groceries using the portable scanning device. At checkout, the device said that i required checkout assistance. The attendant in the checkout area attempted to use my scanner device but could not get it to function. She apologized, requested my Stop & Shop card, and went to obtain a replacement scanner. When she returned, the replacement device would not function. She again apologized and went to obtain a third portable scanner. She returned and the third device would not function. At this point, i requested my shopping bags be returned; she profusely apologized and patiently unloaded all my shopping bags. I thanked her for her help, assured her that i was not angry with her but that i hoped that she would relay my dissatsfaction and the reasons for it to management. I will not shop again at Stop & Shop unless and until i hear from others rhat these problems have been resolved. The only reason i am awarding even one star as a rating is that that the attendant in the checkout area tried very hard to be helpful (while acknowledging that i was one of many customers voicing similar complaints about the results of the restructuring of the store and of the shopper's experience). Having now been through four consecutive disappointing shopping experiences at a store i previously enjoyed for quite a few years, i will reluctantly find a different market at...

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Racist Behavior by Stop & Shop Employee Susie

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally report a deeply troubling incident that occurred at your Stop & Shop location at 260 Pond Path, South Setauket, NY 11720 on April 5, 2025, at approximately 9:35 PM, while I was attempting to purchase baby formula. My family and I are caring for two babies who rely on formula — not that it should matter — and I only asked for the maximum allowable amount for one person: seven cans.

During this visit, I was treated in a discriminatory and disrespectful manner by an employee named Susie, whose behavior was not only unprofessional but overtly racist. She made my Muslim family and me extremely uncomfortable by saying that we are the reason other babies starve. She also accused us of lying and claimed we don’t have children — a baseless and hurtful accusation. We did not feel we needed to prove how many children are in our household, including those of my husband and brother-in-law.

The employee questioned why I was purchasing multiple containers, raised her voice at me in front of other customers, and made a racially charged comment suggesting I was trying to “take advantage” of the system. She then followed us to the register, continuing to make disrespectful remarks.

I was humiliated and deeply hurt by this encounter. No customer should ever experience prejudice or bias, especially while trying to care for their children. This kind of behavior reflects poorly on Stop & Shop and contradicts the values of diversity, inclusion, and respect that your company claims to uphold.

I respectfully request that this matter be investigated thoroughly and that appropriate disciplinary action be taken. I also ask for a written response detailing how this situation will be addressed to prevent others from experiencing similar treatment...

This used to be my local Stop and Shop. I liked that they had a larger selection of natural/gluten free/organic packaged food selections beside their produce section. Like most Stop and Shop locations, the produce section was nothing to get excited about. Same fruits and veg that you find at most of their locations. I much prefer shopping at the Islip or Selden Best Market for produce variety and selections. Also, Anne Marie's farm stand in Centereach and Organics Today Farm in Islip have lovely produce during the spring-fall growing season. Theirs have more flavor and unbeatable freshness.

As someone who grew up in the floral industry, I've never understood why this and so many Stop and Shop locations put temperature sensitive plants (such as tropical poinsettias, orchids, gardenia, even roses) in displays right in front of the constantly opening doors of the store, where they become damaged by cold air during winter months. They would probably lose less inventory if they knew that about their products. Or perhaps, they get them so cheaply that they don't care. Who knows!

I don't eat coldcuts or cheese so I have no opinion to offer about their selection of those products. The seafood counter was always closed by the time I'd get off my work shift so, can't give an opinion about that either. I also did not frequent their bakery because I prefer to not eat baked goods with an insanely long list of ingredients.

The store itself was clean enough and organized. It has a much better overall selection, especially when compared to the awful Stop and Shop location on 25A in Setauket. I avoided that location...