BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons has appointed Crossmark to represent the retailer's complete portfolio of private-label lines, encompassing all Albertsons divisions and all categories, according to officials with the sales and marketing company, based in Plano, Texas. The firm's private-label division will provide "wall-to-wall" coverage of the retailer's corporate brands, including its new Essensia line of upscale frozen entrees and desserts, cookies and snacks, as well as wine and spirits, according to Crossmark officials. The use of proprietary category management templates and field force automation tools will provide Albertsons with store-level insights, "through all facets of the sales and product life cycles," said Tim Hauser, president of Crossmark Private Label. The division will work with Albertsons' nearly 250 private-label product manufacturers, and coordinate strategy in approximately 2,300 stores operating in 31 states. Crossmark replaces Federated Group, Arlington Heights, Ill.