In an effort to capitalize on the increasingly important convenience trend, Albertsons has introduced its own fresh-focused version of a convenience store—complete with gas pumps, drive thru, and an ample supply of fresh food.
"We have fresh food offerings. Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables. Sandwiches made daily to offer to our customers out here at our convenience store,” noted Fuel Sales Manager Rachel Jones, in a KTVB report. “We're also really excited to try our new drive-thru concept. So from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day, we'll get our customers anything they need through our drive-thru."
The local news source reported that the company’s new c-store is located in east Boise, on Parkcenter Boulevard and Apple Street. Albertsons’ new express format will offer consumers the typical c-store fare—candy, chips, and energy drinks—but also provide fresh and pre-prepared foods, available from the convenience of a drive thru window or in-store while customers are fueling up.
Could this major grocery retailer’s excursion into the c-store format signal a trend toward smaller format supermarkets? Or perhaps more fresh grocery-focused convenience offerings? Deli Market News will continue to report on important retailers and the trends shaping the dairy, deli, and bakery industries.
