Valu Home Centers is closing its Warren, Pa., store among three “underperforming locations,” the chain said on Tuesday.

“As a result of changes in the retail industry, Valu Home Centers is refocusing resources towards its online platform and closing three underperforming locations,” said Michael Ervolina Jr., Valu Home Centers president and CEO. “Valu’s shift in strategy is similar to other regional and national retailers that are following changes in consumer buying habits where ‘buy online, pick up in store’ is becoming more popular.”

In addition to the Warren location at 1945 Market St., stores in Olean and Painted Post, N.Y., are also slated to close.

Valu is one of the region’s largest family-owned retailers.

“This was a difficult and emotional decision for our family because we have operated these stores for many years in communities that we have come to know and love,” Ervolina said. “And while our remaining38 locations are strong, it was important to make this decision in order to keep our business healthy well into the future.”

Employees at the three stores were notified of the company’s plans and have been offered positions at any of the other 38 Valu stores, according to a news release.

“We have an amazing team at each of these locations, and we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to continue as part of the Valu family,” Ervolina said. “We are a strong family-owned-and-operated company, headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., that carries zero debt. This is one of the key factors that has allowed us remain successful for 51 years. We are excited for the future. This move will allow us to invest in the many new programs and initiatives we are working on for 2020 and beyond.”

Recently, Valu launched a “new and improved” online format, and the company expects to expand its online product offering into the hundreds of thousands of items in the near future, the company said.

As part of the store closures, liquidation sales will start at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at each of the three locations. All merchandise will be marked at 25% off. A final closing date has not been set.

Founded in 1968 in Buffalo by the Arena, Ervolina, and Amico families, Valu is a family-owned-and-operated home improvement chain. With a focus on customer service, and convenient locations directly in the communities they serve, they have carved a niche among the do-it-yourself community.