Albertsons Is Investing in Changing the Way You Grocery Shop
How we grocery shop is changing, and Albertsons Companies — one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States — is trying to adapt. On Wednesday, the company (which owns the likes of Safeway, Kroger, Food Lion, Ralphs, and Winn-Dixie) announced its acquisition of the popular meal kit company Plated.
While talks for the deal reportedly began months ago, Albertsons made the official announcement this week. With the acquisition of the premier meal kit service, Albertsons will have access to Plated’s technology and data. This would, in theory, streamline the brand’s dive into the meal kit market.
“This transaction is the latest example of Albertsons meeting our customers wherever and however they like to shop,” Albertsons chairman and CEO Bob Miller says, reports CNBC.
In a statement, Miller also says the deal lets Albertsons offer greater personalization to their client base: “Today’s consumer is looking for a variety of personalized shopping alternatives, and this transaction is the latest example of Albertsons Cos. meeting our customers wherever and however they like to shop. With Plated, we’ve found a partner who shares our commitment to delicious, affordable food; superior technology and innovation; and world class customer service.”
As for Plated, the service will undoubtedly benefit from Albertsons’ broad reach: The company has 2,300 stores across the nation with 35 million weekly customers.
“Joining Albertsons Companies presents an amazing opportunity to accelerate our positive impact on the future of food in America by making fresh, delicious food more widely available,” Plated CEO and co-founder Josh Hix says in a statement. “Albertsons Cos. is at the forefront of the changing food and grocery landscape with their customer obsession, their large national store footprint, and their exciting plans for the future of the grocery store. We’re excited to be partnering with them to shepherd our growth while preserving the unique strengths that define Plated today.”