Minneapolis-based SuperValu Inc. confirmed Tuesday that it will close a Jewel-Osco at 6057 S. Western Ave. next month. A Jewel spokeswoman said no further closure announcements are expected at the chain. The store’s 130 employees will be offered positions at other Jewel stores.
In a statement, the company said that “the decision to close a store is always difficult,” but in a challenging environment, the move “will strengthen Jewel-Osco’s overall business.”
The Western Avenue store opened in August 1985. Jewel thanked the store’s customers “for their patronage over the years,” and invited them to visit Jewel locations at 5320 S. Pulaski Rd. and 3644 S. Archer Ave.
SuperValu, the biggest player in the grocery industry, has been under immense pressure as increased competition has dragged down earnings.
This month, the company acknowledged that it had asked non-union employees to take time off without pay between early January and Feb. 26. The company also announced that it would close 20 underperforming stores in its other chains. Those stores were in New England, California and Philadelphia. At the time, the company said no closures were planned for Chicago.
Trouble has been brewing at SuperValu for some time. Early last year, the chain said it would cut 110 store management positions.
Walmart,
You have a better chance of putting your store here than on Broadway and Surf. If not Costco, Target, or Pete’s Fresh Market will get it. Believe me.
I’m sure the Aldi right behind it led to its demise
No usual newspaper gloss that this will expand the food desert, since there is no Jewel?
It appears that the prior two posters have suggested alternatives. I’m surprised that SuperValu didn’t plop down a Save-a-Lot there, but maybe they couldn’t find a franchisee.