Kroger to buy 20 Farmer Jack stores

CINCINNATI Kroger announced today that it has agreed to acquire 20 Farmer Jack stores in the Detroit metropolitan area from The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.

The stores will become part of Kroger's Great Lakes division, based in Columbus, Ohio. The division currently operates 244 stores under the Kroger banner in Ohio, West Virginia, and Michigan.

The Farmer Jack stores included in the sale agreement are located in the following cities in Michigan: Birmingham, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn (2 locations), Northville, Hartland Township, St. Clair Shores, Hazel Park, Troy (3 locations), Sterling Heights, Algonac, Grosse Pointe, Roseville, Westland (2 locations), Brownstown Township, Romeo, and Imlay City.

Kroger expects to interview most Farmer Jack employees. The transaction is expected to close in July, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.