Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lakeland, Fla., said June 9 that it has agreed to purchase 49 Florida stores from Albertson’s LLC. The deal is expected to close in September and includes store locations throughout the state with 15 locations in North Florida, 30 locations in Central Florida and four locations in South Florida.

Publix CEO, Ed Crenshaw, commented on the acquisition, “The demand for the high-quality service our associate owners provide gives us the opportunity to reinvest in these communities by acquiring additional sites for Publix stores. We continue to focus on being the premier food retailer in the areas in which we operate.”

Grand opening dates for all locations will depend on the scope of the remodels. The acquisition will allow Publix to operate four stores in Escambia County, a new market area for the company.

Publix encourages impacted Albertson’s employees with a passion for food and a commitment to customer service to apply for employment. To assist in this process, Publix will hold job fairs dedicated to Albertson’s employees in the upcoming weeks.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 142,000 employees, with 2007 sales of $23 billion. Currently Publix has 936 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 11 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. For more information, visit the company’s Web site, www.publix.com.