Albertsons Continuing to Expand Market Street Concept

Albertsons Cos. is continuing to expand its foodie-focused Market Street concept out of its Texas base.

The company’s United Family division said it would bring Market Street to New Mexico for the first time, converting an existing Albertsons Market store in Santa Fe. Renovations are expected to begin shortly with plans to reopen the store under the Market Street banner early next year.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Market Street brand to Santa Fe. A conversion of this magnitude is a big project with huge investment from the company that will result in a truly special grocery shopping destination for Santa Fe,” said Robert Taylor, president of United Family, which operates the company’s stores in the Southwest under several banners, including Market Street. “Market Street offers a unique shopping experience that Santa Fe guests will enjoy with expanded options and product offerings plus the same great guest service they have come to expect from us. This Albertsons Market is perfectly suited for the transition.”

United currently operates 18 Market Street stores, all of them in Texas. However, Albertsons said earlier this year it would export the concept to two stores in Iowa to be operated by its Intermountain division. The first of these stores, which will open under the Albertsons banner, is being constructed at the location of an existing Albertsons store in Boise that has operated since 1959. The second will open in Meridian, Idaho, at the site of a former Shopko store, and it will debut the Market Street Idaho banner.

Related:Albertsons to Launch Foodie-Focused Market Street Idaho Banner

Albertsons officials say Market Street addresses consumer desire for a more experiential and food-focused grocery store.

In Santa Fe, the new store will serve a wealthy area that also includes considerable tourist trade and has drawn competition from new outlets such as Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods. Lubbock, Texas-based United operates 29 Albertsons Market stores in West Texas and New Mexico. Those stores were former Albertsons units that were transferred to the United division following Albertsons’ acquisition of United in 2013 and rebranded under the Albertsons Market name.

In 2016, United converted an Albertsons Market store in San Angelo, Texas, to Market Street.

The company said Market Street aisles will be stocked with thousands of organic, natural and gluten-free items as well as traditional everyday products. Market Street will also feature dine-in and grab-and-go meal solutions, including Asian bowls and Vietnamese pho, artisan pizzas and sandwiches, seasonal hot meals developed by Executive Chef Chris Wilson, and a salad, soup and hot wing bar.

The redesign of the store will also make way for the arrival of Market Street’s signature Living Well and Dish departments. Living Well offers body care and supplements with an on-site adviser. Dish is a unique gift boutique offering home decor, dinnerware, hostess gifts and seasonal items; it will also feature local items unique to Santa Fe, the company said.

The renovated store will offer United’s online service, known as Streetside, which allows for click-and-collect shopping and home delivery.