 In 1985 Alfred L. Friedlander, president of Rice Food Markets, said that because the stores were older and difficult to maintain, and because stores in lower income neighborhoods were frequently trafficked, making it more difficult to keep the stores well stocked and clean, the stores received criticism for a lack of cleanliness.Crown said in 1985 that "The average supermarket size has been growing based on the belief that larger stores are more efficient.This way, operators can spread their overhead costs over greater volumes.