K-VA-T picks up 29 Bi-Lo stores

Abingdon, Va. - K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. is expanding in Tennessee and Georgia. K-VA-T, parent company of the Food City supermarket chain, will acquire 29 Bi-Lo stores located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Northwest Georgia from Southeastern Grocers.



K-VA-T intends to continue to operate all of these stores under the Food City banner and hire the vast majority of their store associates.



“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to expand our operation into the Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia markets,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO. “We certainly look forward to welcoming the BI-LO associates to our Food City family and serving the region. Our consumers can rest assured that we plan to complete the conversion process as quickly as possible, with the least interruption to the normal flow of business. It’s our intention to enhance the overall variety and selection and further develop the services and conveniences provided to our shoppers.”



Transfer and handoff of the 29 Bi-Lo stores will begin Aug. 30, with all stores fully transitioned by Oct. 5, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.