Albertsons to Close 13 stores, 1 DC in Florida
Albertsons LLC plans to close 13 stores and one distribution center in Florida due to increasing costs and a sustained tough economic climate. Four Florida stores will remain open.
“We continually evaluate the long-term viability of our stores, and focus on our healthier locations,” Albertsons spokesperson Christine Wilcox told Progressive Grocer. “The rising costs of doing business – including the cost of fuel and utilities affected the performance of these operations.”
Approximately 1,100 employees are currently employed at all of the locations. “It's too soon to know how many will actually be displaced,” added Wilcox. “We have extended associates the opportunity to look for positions in other states where we have stores, given that Florida has limited transfer possibilities.”
Employees will reportedly get one week of severance pay for each year they've worked for Albertsons, and the maximum severance pay any employee can get is 12 weeks.
In addition to Florida, Albertsons has stores in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
All stores except the Key West operation will have a liquidation sale beginning May 9 and will close around June 9. Key West will begin its liquidation sale tomorrow and close April 28. Pharmacies in the closing stores will be closed between April 21 and April 24.
The four remaining stores will be serviced by a combination of DSD vendors and also a service agreement with Supervalu's distribution centers.
Here is a list of Albertsons' Florida stores. Stores to be closed are:
- Tuscawilla & Red Bug Lake (Winter Springs)
- Apopka - Vineland & Conroy (Orlando)
- Key West
- Venice
- Casselberry (Longwood)
- Manatee & 75th (Bradenton)
- Vero Beach
- Piedmont - Wekiva & Sr 436 (Apopka)
- Lake Mary
- Lithia - Pinecrest & Bloomingdale (Valrico)
- Lockwood Ridge & University (Sarasota)
- St Lucie West (Port Saint Lucie)
- Rock Springs & Welch (Apopka)
Stores that will remain open:
- Gulf-To-Bay & Belcher (Clearwater)
- Altamonte Springs
- Oakland Park