Walmart closing four Kentucky stores

Walmart Inc. on Wednesday announced plans to close four stores in Kentucky in August.

The Bentonville-based retailer notified affected staff, leasing agents, and elected officials in Louisville, Ky., on Wednesday that it will close two of its Neighborhood Market stores and a Supercenter by Aug. 10, affecting almost 400 workers, a company spokesman said in an email. A store in Lexington, Ky., will also close that same day, spokesman Anne Hatfield said.

“The decision to close stores is not an easy one, but, as a company, we are committed to continuing our growth and investment in Kentucky,” Hatfield said. “We look forward to continuing to serve them at our other Louisville area locations.”

There are 21 Walmart stores within a 25-mile radius of Louisville, according to Walmart’s online store locator. Using the same parameter, there are 12 stores near Lexington.

Last month, Walmart said it will close its Corning, Ark., store in northern Clay County near the Missouri border, by July 20. Hatfield said she knows of no other stores in Arkansas closing this summer.