PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- United
Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) ("UNFI" or the "Company"), today
announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell 13 of
its 43 Shoppers Food & Pharmacy ("Shoppers") stores to three
separate grocery operators. Each of the transactions is expected to
close between mid-December and the end of February 2020, subject to customary closing
conditions. In connection with the sale transactions, Shoppers
intends to wind down operations at these locations, including the
sale of any remaining inventory and closure of the stores prior to
reopening under other banners.
UNFI will also close four additional Shoppers stores, which are
expected to cease operations by the end of January 2020. UNFI made the decision to not renew
the lease at three of these locations and the fourth is being
cancelled pursuant to agreement with the landlord.
"Today's announcement reflects progress on our commitment to
reduce UNFI's retail footprint and marks another step toward
transforming UNFI into North
America's premier food wholesaler," said Steven L. Spinner, UNFI Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "We believe that exiting the retail business
will further accelerate our business transformation and allow us to
more appropriately allocate resources toward long-term growth
initiatives."
A complete list of stores to be closed or sold under these
agreements is included in the addendum to this press release.
Shoppers locations not specifically identified in this announcement
will remain open while UNFI continues to market for sale and
operate these remaining stores.
Earlier this year, UNFI made the decision to close the 30
Shoppers pharmacies located in the stores and operated under the
Shoppers banner, and sold the prescriptions and pharmacy
inventories to CVS and Walgreens.
Mr. Spinner added: "We will continue to wind down our retail
footprint in a strategic and thoughtful manner to achieve the goals
previously outlined. As we do this, we greatly appreciate the
loyalty of our associates and the tremendous service they have
provided to our customers."
As part of the transactions, two of the buyers will enter into
long-term agreements for UNFI to serve as the primary supplier of
their acquired Shoppers locations under different banners. Founded
in 1929, Shoppers serves the Baltimore,
Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia communities.
The Food Partners, LLC advised UNFI on these transactions.
About United Natural Foods
UNFI is North America's premier food wholesaler
delivering the widest variety of products to customer locations
throughout North America including
natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional
supermarket chains, ecommerce retailers, and food service
customers. By providing this deeper 'full-store' selection and
compelling brands for every aisle, UNFI is uniquely positioned to
deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers
everywhere. Combined with SUPERVALU, UNFI is the largest
publicly-traded grocery distributor in America. To learn more
about how UNFI is Moving Food Forward, visit
www.unfi.com.
Contacts
For Investors:
Steve Bloomquist, Vice President,
Investor Relations
952-828-4144
steve.j.bloomquist@unfi.com
For Media:
Jeff Swanson, Vice President,
Corporate Communications and Media Relations
952-903-1645
jeffrey.s.swanson@unfi.com
LIST OF SHOPPERS STORES BEING SOLD OR CLOSED
AS PART OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
Store
Name
|
Address
|
City
|
State
|
Zip
|
Store Planned
Outcome
|
Alameda
|
5600 The
Alameda
|
Baltimore
|
MD
|
21239
|
Sold
|
Anchor
Square
|
6500 Eastern
Ave
|
Baltimore
|
MD
|
21224
|
Sold
|
Annapolis
|
2371 Solomons Island
Road
|
Annapolis
|
MD
|
21401
|
Sold
|
Brooklyn
Park
|
5722 Ritchie
Highway
|
Brooklyn
Park
|
MD
|
21225
|
Sold
|
Bull Run
|
10864 Sudley Manor
Drive
|
Manassas
|
VA
|
20109
|
Closing
|
Colmar
Manor
|
3831 Bladensburg
Road
|
Colmar
Manor
|
MD
|
20722
|
Sold
|
Coral
Hills
|
4801 Marlboro
Pike
|
Capitol
Heights
|
MD
|
20743
|
Sold
|
King Shop
|
7051 Martin Luther
King Jr Highway
|
Landover
|
MD
|
20785
|
Sold
|
Lexington
Park
|
22599 MacArthur
Boulevard
|
California
|
MD
|
20619
|
Sold
|
Liberty
Road
|
8212 Liberty
Road
|
Baltimore
|
MD
|
21244
|
Closing
|
Oxon Hill
|
6111 Livingston
Road
|
Oxon Hill
|
MD
|
20745
|
Sold
|
Potomac
Yard
|
3801 Richmond
Highway
|
Alexandria
|
VA
|
22305
|
Closing
|
Quarterfield
|
7858 Quarterfield
Road
|
Severn
|
MD
|
21144
|
Closing
|
Rolling
Valley
|
9274 Old Keene Mill
Road
|
Burke
|
VA
|
22015
|
Sold
|
Takoma
Park
|
6881 New Hampshire
Avenue
|
Takoma
Park
|
MD
|
20912
|
Sold
|
Waldorf
|
1170 Smallwood
Drive W
|
Waldorf
|
MD
|
20603
|
Sold
|
Wheaton
|
2201 Randolph
Road
|
Wheaton
|
MD
|
20902
|
Sold
|
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unfi-reaches-definitive-agreements-to-sell-13-shoppers-food-stores-300970431.html
SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc.