Albertsons To Close Sarasota Store

Albertsons LLC will shutter its local grocery stores in 60 days, describing the stores as largely unprofitable.

The grocery store chain announced Tuesday it will close 13 of its 17 Florida stores, including the store at , near the intersection of University Parkway in Sarasota. The store at  in Bradenton will also close. Both stores are in Manatee County.

Christine Wilcox, public affairs director for Albertsons, said the company is closing all but its healthiest stores.

The company will also close its distribution center in Lakeland. Nearly 1,100 employess across the state will lose their jobs. In Manatee County nearly 80 employees will be laid off.

Its parent company, Supervalu, had a loss in the fourth quarter, but shares rose after adjustment, but still is making cuts across the U.S., The Wall Street Journal reported. Supervalu also owns Sav-A-Lot grocery stores as well as the Midwest-based Jewel-Osco.