Massachusetts-based Shaw's Supermarkets is closing four locations, the company announced this week,

"While the decision to close a store is always difficult — given the impact on employees and customers — it was made only after careful evaluation and was guided by what is best for the company's ongoing success and future growth," the company said in a statement.

Massachusetts locations in Leominster, Lynn and Plymouth, as well as a store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are closing. 

Shaw's, which is owned by Albertsons Companies, employees about 19,000 workers across 153 New England stores.