Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Three Valu Home Center locations in Western New York will soon be closing. Those locations will be in Orchard Park, Lockport and North Buffalo, which will close following a liquidation sale.
Valu says the closings are part of a strategic initiative to adapt to changing market dynamics, and secure a strong future for the company. The stores will close following liquidation sales that begin Thursday at the three affected locations only.
The decision comes as a result of various challenges in retail, including higher inflation, rising operational and labor costs, and increased competition from both brick-and-mortar and online retailers.
"Closing these stores, which have been integral to our history and the communities we serve, was an incredibly difficult decision," said Michael Ervolina, president and CEO of Valu Home Centers in a statement. "However, this step is necessary to ensure the company remains strong and capable of investing in better performing stores, new technology, improving efficiencies, and growing our online business. We remain a strong family owned and operated company, headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y. that carries zero debt, and are committed to operating high-performing convenient neighborhood stores focused on delivering the quality and service our customers expect."
Valu Home Centers is reassigning associates from the closing locations to other local stores.
"We have an amazing team at each of these locations, and we want to ensure they have the opportunity to continue as part of the Valu family," Ervolina said.
