Albertson's Golden Gait

Albertson's, Inc. (Boise, Idaho) has announced plans to spend $185 million in 2002 to renovate or add stores in its Northern California market. The amount is 200 percent more than the $60 million it spent on new stores and remodels in 2001. The announcement came two weeks after the supermarket chain disclosed plans to spend $125 million in its Florida market.

“Northern California is a strategic market in the context of Albertson's future,” said ceo and chairman Larry Johnston. As evidence of this significant Northern California capital commitment, Albertson's has grand-opened three new stores and completed two store renovations in the last several months.

Albertson's Northern California division, based in San Leandro, Calif., operates 187 stores.