Albertsons

NEW YORK — New Albertsons is on its way to becoming more than 1,300 stores larger. Cerberus Capital Management is the lead bidder for Safeway, according to a Bloomberg report published Saturday that cited people with knowledge of the matter. 

Cerberus is the only firm willing to swallow Safeway whole, the paper reported. 

DENVER — Pulse Beverage Corp. announced that it is expanding its product line with the debut of Natural Cabana Coconut Water and Natural Cabana Pineapple Coconut Water. The new additions will be available in Albertsons grocery stores later this month.

PORTLAND — Trailblazer Food Products, a manufacturer of private-label and branded grocery products in the western United States, has announced that it is partnering with grocer Albertsons to stock regional products including Walls Berry Farm Preserves and Nalley's Lumberjack Syrup.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons has confirmed that it plans to shutter 26 locations.

“This is part of our typical review cycle, and after reviewing store performance, we determined that these stores could not be positioned for future profitability, with the exception of the two stores in Acme that were closed for underperformance. The two Acme stores were closed because the leases are expiring,” the company said in a statement sent to Drug Store News.

CHICAGO — Jewel-Osco president William Emmons is retiring less than a year after taking the helm at the grocery chain, which is now part of New Albertsons Inc., according to a Chicago Tribune report.

CHICAGO — Suitors for the remainder of Safeway's Dominick's stores in Chicago, which are now shuttering their doors, are beginning to come forward, according to a report published Saturday in the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Whole Foods has recently acquired six Dominick's stores, the Sun-Times reported, citing real estate sources. And Jewel may buy as many as 16 Dominick's locations. 

CHICAGO — The purchase of as many as 10 Dominick's stores may be under consideration by independent grocery chains affiliated with the Centrella cooperative, Crain's Chicago Business reported Thursday, citing sources close to the deal. 

NEW YORK — An Albertsons store in Billings, Mont., is home to a retail clinic staffed by physician assistants and nurse practitioners who will treat patients for allergies, infections, bug bites, pain and other minor health problems, according to published reports.

The Billings Gazette reported that Billings Clinic opened at Albertsons its first retail clinic, called ExpressCare. Additional clinics are planned for spring and summer next year. The clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.