Albertsons sells Safeway stores to Publix, exits Florida

On June 28, Publix announced it had entered into an agreement with Albertsons to purchase three Safeway stores in Florida. The stores located in Altamonte Springs, Largo and Oakland Park will retain their Safeway branding until September 2018.

Publix announced it would close the in-store Safeway pharmacies before closing down the locations for conversion to the Publix banner. They will display posters within the pharmacy departments to inform customers that their prescriptions have been transferred to Publix Pharmacy. Impacted Safeway employees are being encouraged to apply for jobs at Publix.

“Publix continues to look for ways to expand within our operating area to better serve our customers. We are excited for this opportunity to acquire existing stores within our home state,” Publix President and CEO Todd Jones said in a statement.

Florida is Publix’s largest market, with 787 supermarkets. On the other hand, Albertsons is completing its acquisition of Rite Aid that has no footprint in Florida.