Marsh in Freefall?

Indiana-based Marsh Supermarkets continues to display signs of collapse, with the grocery chain announcing seven more store closings this week.

Three stores in Indianapolis; one each in the Indiana cities of Frankfort, Logansport and Portland; and one in Union City, Ohio, are slated to close May 14 due to “sustained weak performance,” the Indianapolis Star reported.

“This is a very difficult decision for us as we have been serving these communities for many years and have many great relationships with our valued customers,” Marsh said in a statement. “We are working to employ associates who wish to remain with Marsh at one of our other stores.”

Continued store closings, along with reports of nonpayment of rent, taxes and other fees in recent months, have fueled speculation that Indianapolis-based Marsh is on the verge of bankruptcy amid a highly competitive marketplace, where the hometown chain faces stiff competition from Kroger, Walmart, Meijer and other retailers.

Marsh, owned by Florida-based investment firm Sun Capital Partners, previously announced that two central Indiana stores would close on May 6, along with other closures that took place in March and earlier this month, the Indy Star reported.