Save-A-Lot Plans New DC in FL

Hard-discount grocery retailer Save-A-Lot plans to build a new 250,374-square-foot food distribution center in Pompano Beach, Fla., to boost its efficiencies in the south Florida market.

Slated to open by early 2013, the state-of-the-art center is expected to employ more than 30 employees initially, with additional hires possible after the facility reaches full capacity. Formerly operated as a U.S. Foodservice cold-storage facility, the building will be expanded and renovates to accommodate Save-A-Lot’s dry and cold storage operations.

“With this project, we continue to reinvest in the Save-A-Lot distribution model as part of our ongoing commitment to the brand and positioning for overall growth of the hard discount model,” said Santiago Roces, Save-A-Lot president and CEO. “We chose South Florida for our new distribution center because of its excellent business climate, central location and industrious workforce. For the state of Florida and the surrounding region, it means economic growth and jobs. I believe this will be a wonderful partnership for Save-A-Lot, Pompano Beach and the South Florida region.”

Save-A-Lot operates 139 stores in Florida, and the new distribution center will help support the company’s growth plans in the region, which the company has identified as a key area for development. In addition, the new center will feature the latest in green technologies for the most efficient use of energy, motion-sensing lights and an HVAC system with smart thermostats.

St. Louis-based Save-A-Lot, owned by Supervalu Inc., operates more than 1,300 stores in 39 states from Maine to California.