Discount grocery chain Save A Lot revealed Monday that its 18 remaining stores are being acquired by Leevers Supermarkets, a current Save A Lot retail partner with 29 stores across the U.S. Save A Lot shared that the decision finalizes its strategy to shift ownership and operations to independent partners.
The announcement means that Save A Lot has transitioned to a wholesaler, a process that began in late 2020. While no longer operating stores directly, the company will continue to partner with individual retail partners like Leevers across its network to provide a base for testing new innovations and programs before deploying them to all stores, according to the company.
“As we’ve made a strategic shift to become a licensed wholesaler, it’s clear that our long-term growth momentum must be rooted in the success of our strong network of retail partners,” said Leon Bergmann, Save A Lot CEO, in a statement. “Since its inception, Save A Lot has filled an important need as a discount, high-quality hometown grocer in each community it serves. Our retail partners are closest to and best positioned to meet the needs of those customers... The time was right for us to step fully into our role as a licensed wholesaler and put all operations in the hands of our dedicated retailers.”
Leevers will continue to operate the St. Louis stores under the Save A Lot banner.
“We are proud to be a part of the Save A Lot network and are thrilled to grow our footprint with the brand,” said Leevers Supermarkets president and CEO, Gabe Disbrow, in a statement. “We remain fully committed to delivering an exceptional shopping experience with unmatched value to every shopper who walks through our doors.”
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