Publix to Sell PIX C-Store Chain

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets here said Tuesday it has agreed to divest its 14-store PIX fuel/c-store chain to focus on its core supermarket operations.

Circle K Stores, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian c-store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard, will purchase 13 sites — 11 in Florida and two in Georgia — and Max Arnold & Sons, a family-owned company located in Hopkinsville, Ky., will purchase the PIX site located in Tennessee. Circle K plans to close two of the locations in Castlebury and Seminole, Fla., a Pubix spokeswoman told SN.

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Terms of the sales were not disclosed.

“We consistently evaluate our business, including the products and services we choose to offer our customers,” said Ed Crenshaw, chief executive officer, Publix, in a statement. “The sale of PIX locations gives us the ability to remain passionately focused on our core business, our customers and the products and services we offer within our grocery retail environment.”

More news: Publix Expands to Myrtle Beach Market

The Publix spokeswoman said the company would offer comparable jobs in its supermarkets to all 120 PIX workers. The workers would also be free to apply for jobs with Circle K and Max Arnold & Sons, which are expected to reopen the stores quickly after the signage and private-label products are removed.

Publix said it is retaining ownership of the PIX name.

The company had begun testing the PIX banner in 2001, operating it at locations adjacent to Publix-anchored shopping centers.

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