Los Angeles, Feb. 5 - Grocery chain operator Supervalu Inc said Tuesday it plans to close its Sunflower Market organic and natural foods stores later this month after they failed to deliver acceptable returns.
"Supervalu has made the strategic decision to close all five Sunflower Market stores" during the week of Feb. 18, the company said in a statement.
Supervalu designed the new stores to compete with Whole Foods Market Inc.
The company, which bought most of the Albertson's grocery stores in June 2006, said it "seeks to operate exclusively in markets and with formats where the company receives an acceptable return on its investment."
Supervalu has three Sunflower Markets in Columbus, Ohio, and one each in Chicago and Indianapolis.