Independent grocery chains associated with Centrella cooperative are looking to buy up to 10 Dominick’s stores, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.
Centrella, the brand name used by Joliet-based Central Grocers Inc., has hired an investment banker to negotiate the deal with Dominick’s parent company, Safeway Inc.
Though locations are unclear, grocers affiliated with the group, including Tony’s Finer Foods, Treasure Island and Strack & Van Til, are planning purchases in Chicago and area suburbs, Crain’s reported.
Safeway decided early this year to pull its 72 stores out of the Chicago market because of poor sales.
More than 55 stores remain unsold.
Jewel-Osco has agreed to buy four stores and Mariano’s purchased 11 stores. Crain's also reports that Whole Foods has emerged as a potential buyer for seven Dominick's stores.
