Five ShopRite stores in our area could be closing sooner than expected.

We told you last month, ShopRite is closing five supermarkets and gas stations around the Capital Region – specifically in Albany, Colonie, Slingerlands, North Greenbush and Niskayuna.

The closing date is set for December 9, but shelves in those stores are already bare.

Employees at three locations told customers those shops could close by the end of this week, the Times Union reported.

The company says low sales led to the decision to close.