Gallery: United opens next-generation flagship

United Supermarkets, a division of Albertsons, has opened what it describes as the flagship of its next generation of United stores in Amarillo, Texas.

The 55,000-square-foot store, which features a new design for the 60-store company, anchors a 19-acre site that also includes a United Express convenience store.

“This is our first United location which reflects our new brand strategy,” said Monica Schierbaum, senior director of marketing for United Supermarkets, based in Lubbock, Texas. “It is a bold statement and truly represents the United Supermarkets brand and what we stand for.”

The new store features a colorful design that uses visual elements and outdoor images to “honor the local community and the Texas spirit,” United said.

Among the new design features are a separate entrance and exit, as well as fresh departments at the front of the store. A key design element of the store is a large, iconic tree over the entire produce department.

A dining area to the right of the entrance features seating for up to 190 customers — 76 inside and 114 outside.

Other features include a Care Xpress walk-in health clinic, with services provided by Family Medicine Centers of Amarillo, and a drive-through pharmacy.

The store also features new shelf tags featuring “healthy attributes” that identify products in 10 different categories, such as low-sodium, heart-healthy, organic, and gluten-free, as well as the recently introduced “Dietitian’s Top Pick” program, in addition to the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System.

The store offers expanded gluten-free and bulk departments, and the largest beer and wine selection of any United store.

In addition, the new Amarillo United includes some eco-friendly features, the company said.

“This location reflects our commitment to the environment and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Tony Crumpton, EVP of facility, fuel and supply. “It is our first United location with skylights for light harvesting, a newly designed refrigeration system that substantially reduces the amount of ozone-depleting gas needed, and the use of LED lighting throughout the store, to lower overall energy usage.”

Text and captions by Mark Hamstra

Photos courtesy of United Supermarkets