Business & Tech
Rumors Swirl About Potential Genuardi's Sale
Following recent Genuardi's closures, some people believe sales of remaining stores, including Springfield, are imminent.
No one at will confirm it, but rumors are floating that Genuardi's owner Safeway is looking to sell its Delaware Valley stores, including the one here in Springfield.
Last year, seven Genuardi's stores were closed, including ones in Newtown Square, Chesterbrook, Lansdale and Glen Mills.
Two Genuardi's supermarkets have closed last month: the Eagleville location on Oct. 8, and the Kimberton store on Oct. 15. The two stores, located in Montgomery and Chester counties, respectively, are the only Genuardi's stores that have closed in 2011.
Currently, there are Genuardi's locations in Springfield, Wynnewood, St. Davids and 24 other locations.
Food Trade News reported this month that multiple sources have indicated Safeway is looking to sell its remaining Genuardi's stores and will come to sales agreements in the near future—likely before the end of 2011.
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"I have no knowledge to suggest that this is anything other than a rumor."—Maryanne Crager, Genuardi's spokeswoman
Giant Food Stores is one retailer said to be in the mix. Food Trade News reported sources indicating Giant may want to acquire as many as 18 Genuardi's stores. Giant took over two Genuardi's stores in Warrington and Feasterville (Bucks County) last year, placing them under the Giant banner.
Genuardi's public affairs manager Maryanne Crager said rumors of stores being sold have been around since the Genuardi's family sold the company to Safeway in 2001.
"We really don't comment on rumors," Crager said. "There are always rumors out there, and I have no knowledge to suggest that this is anything other than a rumor."
Crager said those decisions are made at the upper echelons of the company.
"Whatever is happening—if anything is happening—is not something we're privy to at this level," she added.
Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Stores closed this month were underperforming, according to Crager.
A Federal Realty representative said that the company does not comment on its clients' business matters.
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Patch will update this story as more concrete information becomes available. If you have any information on the deal, contact the reporter, or the editor at leslie.truluck@patch.com.
