US supermarket operator Eagle Food Centers has said that it has accepted auction bids for certain assets of eight of its stores.

Among the auction bids for the various stores, Eagle said Kroger had emerged as the highest bidder for six stores in Illinois.

Eagle, which filed for bankruptcy protection in April, intends to submit the results of the auction for approval by a US bankruptcy court at a hearing on 11 September 2003.

The company said it continues to pursue opportunities for the balance of its stores, including setting a subsequent auction for 10 of its stores on 28 August and extending the bid deadline to 11 September for the remaining stores.