AP — The parent company of Dillon’s Stores said Wednesday that it is buying online vitamin seller Vitacost.com Inc. in a deal the company said is valued at $280 million.

Kroger said Vitacost.com will help it expand online and give it access to Vitacost.com’s shipping network and two distribution centers. Cincinnati-based Kroger said it will pay $8 per share in cash for Vitacost.com, a 27 percent premium of its closing price of $6.28 Tuesday. The total purchasing price includes stock warrants and options. Vitacost.com, which is based in Boca Raton, Florida, will operate as a subsidiary of Kroger.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.