British supermarket chain J. Sainsbury PLC said Friday it had agreed to sell its U.S. business, which includes the Shaw’s supermarket chain, to grocery operator Albertson’s Inc. for more than $2.1 billion.

Sainsbury’s U.S. subsidiary, based in West Bridgewater, Mass., operates 202 stores, mostly in New England, under the Shaw’s and Star Markets brands.

Maine has 20 stores with more than 3,100 workers. No store closings or layoffs are planned in Maine, an Albertson’s spokesman said Friday.

Albertson’s, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,300 outlets in 31 U.S. states. Its stores operate under the names Albertson’s, Jewel, Acme, Osco Drugs, Sav-on Drugs and Super Saver.

It said the acquisition would increase its presence to more than 2,500 stores in 37 states.

In addition to the $2.1 billion it is paying for the stores, Albertson’s said the deal calls for it to assume about $368 million in leases.

Sainsbury said it would return about a third of the proceeds from the sale to its shareholders and use the rest to develop its core British retail business.

The parties said they hoped to complete the deal in the second quarter of 2004.

Sainsbury shares were down 9.1 percent to 256 pence ($4.66) at midday Friday on the London Stock Exchange.

A spokesperson for Shaw’s and Star Markets did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Friday morning.