Save-A-Lot to expand in urban areas

Eden Prairie, Minn. Supervalu’s discount grocer Save-A-Lot unit plans to expand in urban areas, according to a Bloomberg report. The move is intended to fill in gaps left after larger chains moved to the suburbs.

About half of Save-A-Lot’s stores will ultimately be located in metropolitan areas, the report said. The expansion is still in the planning phase.

Supervalu said in January it would double the number of Save-A- Lot locations in the next five years.

“Some of the urban markets have a dearth of supermarkets that are quality grocers delivering good, nourishing food at good prices,” said Bill Shaner, president and CEO of Save-A-Lot. “We offer a good solution for that opportunity and we are very focused on that.”

Save-A-Lot has stores in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Detroit, Shaner said. The chain would likely expand into Washington, D.C., within several years, the report said.