Report: Centrella cooperative considering purchase of 10 Dominick's stores

CHICAGO — The purchase of as many as 10 Dominick's stores may be under consideration by independent grocery chains affiliated with the Centrella cooperative, Crain's Chicago Business reported Thursday, citing sources close to the deal. 

Safeway announced in October its intended exit from the Chicago market altogether, where it at one time operated 72 Dominick's stores, by early 2014. Now approximately 55 remain. 

Four stores were sold to New Albertsons in October. In early December, Safeway announced it had reached a definitive agreement to sell 11 of its Dominick's stores in the Chicago metropolitan area in a cash and lease assumption transaction to Roundy's. Roundy's will take possession of the stores during a transition period that will take place over the next two months. And at least two Dominick's stores have expiring leases, according to the Crain report.