Albertson's acquires five Fleming Stores

Drug Store News, March 3, 2003

BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's Inc. strengthened its presence in two markets last month with the purchase of five stores from grocery distributor Fleming Cos. The nation's second-largest food retailer bought three Food 4 Less locations in Salt Lake City from Fleming and two Rainbow Food stores in El Paso, Texas.

The move is the latest effort by Albertson's to grow its business in existing markets. "Our goal is to be the No. 1 or the No. 2 retailer in each market we serve, and this will help us achieve that goal," said Albertson's spokeswoman Karen Ramos. Albertson's currently has five stores in El Paso and 32 in Salt Lake City.

The five-store purchase was announced Feb. 12 and is expected to be closed by mid-April. Fleming has been selling stores in its 110-store supermarket division since last November in an effort to reduce debt and focus on its distribution business.