Sweetbay stores closing: Sweetbay Supermarkets to close 33 underperforming stores in Florida

TAMPA BAY - Late Wednesday evening, Sweetbay Supermarkets announced plans to close 33 underperforming stores in Florida.

The company plans to close the stores by mid-February.

In an emailed statement, spokesperson Nicole LeBeau said the move will help Sweetbay to "deliver profitable growth and accelerate shareholder value."

Action News also spoke with Alexis Muellner, an editor from the Tampa Bay Business Journal, who said the closures could damage the brand Sweetbay had built up in the areas where stores are closing.

Muellner also says the market that Sweetbay competes in is ultra competitive, it's main rivals include Wal-Mart and Publix, both brands which pride themselves on discount prices.

Muellner went on to say that grocery retail has very slim margins, and why some brands could be more vulnerable than others.

After these actions are complete, Sweetbay will have 72 stores in Florida

Stores on the list for closing include:

Hillsborough County

• 2333 West Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa

• 5050 10th Ave East (Columbus Plaza), Tampa

• 4519 Gunn Highway, Tampa

• 5320 Ehrlich Road, Tampa

• 17605 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa

• 10617 Sheldon Road, Tampa

• 507 S. Wheeler Street, Plant City

Pinellas and Pasco Counties

• 1861 North Highland Avenue, Clearwater

• 1681 Main Street, Dunedin

• 8833 Mitchell Boulevard, New Port Richey

• 6095 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg

• 955 62nd Avenue South, St. Petersburg

• 1794 22nd Street South,St. Petersburg

• 4665 66th Street North, Kenneth City

• 7580 49th Street North, Pinellas Park

• 7431 S.R. 54, New Port Richey

• 3400 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor

• 9017 S.R. 52, Hudson

• 1943 US Alt 19. North, Tarpon Springs

• 7325 Gall Boulevard, Zephryhills

Manatee County

• 5201 33rd Street East, Bradenton

• 8750 State Road 70 East, Bradenton

• 3410 US Hwy 301, Ellenton

Polk County

• 6220 North Highway 98, Lakeland

Hernando County

• 11160 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill

Citrus County

• 4500 S. Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa

Sarasota County

• 501 N. Beneva Rd, Ste #180, Sarasota

Collier County

• 2482 Immokalee Road, Naples

• 5926 Premier Way, Naples

• 4015 Santa Barbara Boulevard, Naples

Charlotte County

• 10175 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda

Lake County

• 1718 E. Highway 50, Clermont

• 1714 US Hwy 27, Clermont