EDMOND — Well-known grocery chain Albertsons LLC announced Tuesday that it intends to pull out of the Oklahoma marketplace.
As a result, 23 Albertsons stores in Oklahoma will be sold to four Associated Wholesale Grocers member retailers, and three stores in the state will close later this summer.
Homeland Inc., based in Edmond, purchased seven stores in Oklahoma City, Norman, Bethany and Muskogee.
Edmond’s Albertsons store, at 1151 N. Bryant Ave., was sold to Williams Discount Foods, which will be the store’s new name.
The chain is known by its slogan, “Your Hometown Store.”
“The excellent news is that all our buyers assured us that most, if not all, associates will be offered jobs (under the new ownership),” said Jennifer Vroman, spokeswoman for Albertsons.
Jeff Williams of Williams Discount Foods said, “The addition of these new stores will provide opportunities for our employees.
“There has never been a better time to work for Williams Discount Foods than today — we have an exciting future ahead of us.”
Other purchasers in the transaction are Tahlequah-based Reasor’s Inc. and RPCS Inc., based in Springfield, Mo.
Kelly Epperson, promotions manager for Homeland, said the metro-area stores purchased by Homeland will see minimal changes.
“We will do our very best not to change anything but the name,” she said. “As a competitor, we always had great respect for the Albertson’s chain. We feel that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’”
The asset sales are expected to close beginning in mid-July, according to a company press release.
AWG also is acquiring Albertsons’ 1.1 million-square-foot distribution facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Pharmacies at the stores will continue operating under the new owners, with no changes to customer service, Vroman said.
AWG, headquartered in Kansas City, Kan., is a $5 billion retailer-owned wholesale cooperative supplying food retailers in 23 states.
Financing for the transaction was done by SpiritBank, a privately owned $1 billion Oklahoma bank.
(Alice Collinsworth may be reached via e-mail at acollinsworth@edmondsun.com.)
Business
Related Photos
-
Maike Sabolich
Discussion
Albertsons to become Williams Discount Foods
- Business
-
-
AT&T provides 5,000 career opportunities for veterans
AT&T is stepping up its veteran recruiting efforts with the goal of hiring 5,000 veterans and their family members into career opportunities during the next five years, consistent with its commitment to equal employment opportunities.
-
Frontier Country Marketing Association, Edmond CVB win tourism industry awards
Frontier Country Marketing Association and several of its members were honored May 6 at the annual RedBud Awards Ceremony during National Tourism Week, May 4-12. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and “Discover Oklahoma” host Jenifer Reynolds presented the prestigious awards to the tourism industry at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
-
Citizens Bank presents Small Business Week networking event
Citizens Bank of Edmond is supporting the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Week with a networking event scheduled for 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday at Citizens Bank of Edmond, 1 E. First St.
-
FAPC wine project adding value to Oklahoma wines
A project conducted at Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center aims to strengthen the quality of Oklahoma wines and help increase overall wine sales throughout the state.
-
Public relations firm hires former News 9 journalist
After spending countless hours covering breaking news, former television reporter Jacqueline Sit, of Edmond, is taking her journalism skills to serve as account executive for Oklahoma-based Candor Public Relations.
-
Arvest Bank promotes 4
Arvest Bank has announced the promotions of Gary Myles, Jarom Christie, Brent Sartin and Amanda Gillespie. Myles has been promoted to vice president, Christie and Sartin to assistant vice president and Gillespie to branch manager.
-
The Backyard Farmer opens at Shoppes at Northpark
In its 40th year, the Shoppes at Northpark welcomes Galt Ormiston’s Backyard Famer Stand, a traditional Oklahoman produce stand specializing in fresh locally grown foods. With more than 20 years experience, Galt is a gardening expert offering advice in custom design, installation and maintenance.
-
Steve’s Ribs grabs the silver ring
Steve’s Ribs owners just celebrated their silver anniversary with a new menu and extended summer hours.
-
JK Hair Salon embraces family, enhances beauty
Not many businesses can boast the staying power of clients as well as workers, but JK Hair Salon can do both.
Out of 22 staff members, 13 are related. Five moms with adult children as well as an aunt and niece duo all work side-by-side, and they not only get along they love the idea of working together. Some of the staff members have been working together for more than 30 years. -
THE ASTUTE INVESTOR: Too many things don’t make sense
Are you as confused as most people with all the conflicting pieces of data and advice from economists and other forecasters? Who do you believe? On the one hand this, on the other hand that. Which is it? To paraphrase Harry Truman, “Somebody please find me a one-armed economist!”
- More Business Headlines
-
AT&T provides 5,000 career opportunities for veterans
