SEATTLE, Nov. 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Associated Grocers, Incorporated (AG) today announced that its longtime customer, Brown & Cole Stores, LLC, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Brown & Cole currently operates 27 supermarkets under the names Cost Cutter, Food Pavilion, Food Depot, and $ave-On-Food$.
Brown & Cole's business represents 12.75% of AG's total wholesale sales of over $1 billion. AG has plans in place to minimize the impact of the Brown & Cole bankruptcy filing.
"Throughout our history, AG and its independent retailers have overcome the challenges of competing in the marketplace, and we will continue to do so," said John Runyan, AG's President and CEO.
Brown & Cole's stores are primarily located in northwestern and central Washington, including: Anacortes, Bellingham, Blaine, Burlington, Everett, Ferndale, Lynden, Mount Vernon, Moses Lake, Okanogan, Prosser, Sedro Woolley, Selah, Sunnyside, Wapato, Wenatchee, Woodland, and Yakima.
AG is a wholesaler providing food, general merchandise and retail services to stores throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Pacific Rim. Since its founding in 1934, AG has leveraged its group buying power to facilitate the success of its over 320 customer locations. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, AG procures and distributes a comprehensive selection of fresh and traditional supermarket commodities including: grocery, meat, produce, deli, natural, specialty, ethnic, service deli, service bakery, health and beauty care, and general merchandise.
To learn more about Associated Grocers, Incorporated, visit: http://www.agsea.com
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