MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P has agreed to sell seven stores in northern Connecticut to Big Y Foods Inc., a regional supermarket chain based in Springfield, Mass.

A&P has agreed to sell seven stores in northern Connecticut to Big Y Foods Inc., a regional supermarket chain based in Springfield, Mass.

The announcement followed on the heels of press rumors that A&P is preparing to sell its Food Emporium stores.

"We continue to evaluate our operating footprint and its alignment with our turnaround strategy," said Sam Martin, A&P’s president and chief executive officer. "These seven stores were clearly outside of our core markets and their sale was necessary. The company faces many difficult decisions over the next several months, which are required to strengthen our foundation and improve our performance going forward."