Mi Pueblo Stores Rebranded Under Cardenas Banner

Ontario, Calif.-based Cardenas Markets has completed the rebranding of 15 Mi Pueblo stores following last year’s merger of the two Hispanic grocery chains.

The rebranding began with the remodel of the Oakland Mi Pueblo store in December, and was completed on Wednesday upon the opening of the final two Mi Pueblo stores in East Palo Alto and San Rafael under the Cardenas banner.

Cardenas and Mi Pueblo merged last July behind private-equity firm KKR, which made significant investments in the two grocery chains in 2016, alongside Victory Park Capital. Managed by former Trader Joe’s EVP John Gomez, with eyes on becoming the No. 1 Hispanic grocer in the U.S., the combined business marks a huge opportunity for the retailer to consolidate, expand and become the first Hispanic grocer with true scale.

“We have great customers and team members throughout Northern California and we are very happy to bring a new shopping experience to the communities that we are fortunate enough to serve,” Cardenas CEO John Gomez said in a statement. “We are just getting started.”

Last October, Cardenas announced its acquisition of Arizona-based Los Altos Ranch Market, which operates seven Phoenix-area locations.

Cardenas touts a wide assortment of high-quality products at low prices, marking its competitive edge in the marketplace. The retailer’s low prices, coupled with grocery specialties such as bakery, ready-to-eat meals and house-made tortillas, have proven popular among the Hispanic community.

Related:Cardenas Markets and Mi Pueblo Merge

Cardenas Markets now has a total of 54 stores, with 47 under the Cardenas banner and seven under the Los Altos Ranch Market banner. The retailer is one of the largest Hispanic grocers in the country, with stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. Cardenas plans to continue expanding in California with additional store openings later this year.