May 19, 2005 10:09 AM, from staff and wire reports

Albertson's Inc, the Boise ID-based supermarket chain, plans to sell seven Jacksonville FL-area stores to Rowe’s Supermarkets LLC before July 2005. The price of this transaction was not disclosed.

A new grocery chain and a subsidiary of Rowe's Enterprises LLC, Rowe’s Supermarkets will acquire Albertson's five Jacksonville locations, along with stores in Orange Park and St Augustine FL. Rowe’s Supermarkets will be headed by supermarket executive Robert Rowe, a Jacksonville resident.

Albertson’s departure occurs as its rival, Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie Stores Inc, is reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Former Albertson’s executive Peter Lynch now heads Winn-Dixie.