Publix announced on Thursday that it had entered into an agreement to purchase three Florida stores from Safeway. 

The three locations will continue operating under the Safeway banner until early September. Safeway's pharmacies will close prior to the main store closings with Publix posters on display to advice customers once their prescriptions have transferred to the Publix Pharmacy.

All three locations are expected to have grand re-opening dates within the fourth quarter of this year.

"Publix continues to look for ways to expand within our operating area to better serve our customers," says Publix CEO and president Todd Jones. "We are excited for this opportunity to acquire existing stores withing our home state."

Publix says impacted Safeway employees are encouraged to pursue job opportunities at Publix.