Haggen Food & Pharmacy has announced that it will be closing or selling some of its grocery stores in various locations to continue improving its business and strengthen its competitive position, according to a press release issued by Haggen.
The affected grocery stores are located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
"Haggen's goal going forward is to ensure a stable, healthy company that will benefit our customers, associates, vendors, creditors, stakeholders as well as the communities we serve," Bill Shaner, CEO of Haggen Pacific Southwest said in the press release.
By making the tough choice to close and sell some stores, we will be able to invest in stores that have the potential to thrive under the Haggen banner," he said.
The company said in the press release that most of the stores being closed or sold were purchased, from the merger of Albertsons LLC and Safeway.
The two companies were ordered by Federal officials to divest a number of its stores as part of the merger agreement. The companies divested a total of 146 stores.
Haggen will close or sell additional stores in the future as part of its right-sizing strategy
The company also said in the press release that it is not yet determined how many jobs will be affected by the closure or sale of the stores.
Pamplin Media Group's The Times added that one of the Haggen stores to be closed is located on Southwest Tualatin-Sherwood Road.
The store currently employs 73 people.
The latest announcement was different from Haggen's tone just a year ago, The Times added.
Haggen was saying that it would become one of the largest grocers on the West Coast.
A total of 27 stores would be shut down, according to a list of the affected stores that Haggen issued.
The stores will continue to operate in the next 60 days.
