FIVE SCOTTY’S STORES WILL BE CLOSED

Scotty’s, the Florida-based building-supplies chain, plans to close five of its South Florida stores by the end of June.

The closings are the apparent result of tough competition from superstore chains such as Home Depot and Builders Square.

Stores in Pembroke Pines, Tamarac, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Gardens are expected to close, employees confirmed on Wednesday. The stores average up to 20 employees.

Going-out-of-business sales will begin Sunday.

Ron Russell, spokesman for the Winter Haven-based company, was out of town Wednesday and did not return phone messages.

Employees said stores in Hypoluxo, West Palm Beach and Davie are not expected to close.

Scotty’s is owned by GIB Group SA, a Belgian retailer. Last year, GIB took a writedown of more than $50 million on Scotty’s assets. In March, it said one of its priorities was to improve profits at Scotty’s.

GIB also sold its Handy Andy Home Improvement Centers to managers last fall, but Handy Andy was forced into bankruptcy by its lenders in January.