Editing Albertsons (section)

===A leaner company===
In November 2006, it was announced that the Northern California division, consisting of stores located in northern California and northern Nevada, would be sold to [[Save Mart]], with the deal closing in late February 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colliver |first=Victoria |date=Nov 28, 2006 |title=Save Mart buys remaining Albertsons stores |url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/save-mart-buys-remaining-albertsons-stores-2484122.php |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=SFGATE}}</ref> The company gradually converted all the stores to its Save Mart banner over summer 2007, except for stores in the San Francisco Bay area, which were rebranded as Lucky.<ref name="savemart">[http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail/4441947-1.html Albertsons is sold in Northern California] ''AllBusiness'', November 28, 2006. {{dead link|date=March 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/18/lucky-return-save-mart-gambles-on-revival-of-storied-name/|title=Lucky return: Save Mart gambles on revival of storied name|date=July 18, 2007|work=Mercury News|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504054108/http://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/18/lucky-return-save-mart-gambles-on-revival-of-storied-name/|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal included two Northern California distribution centers. Most of the Albertsons locations had originally been branded as Lucky before Albertson's 1998 purchase of [[American Stores]].<ref name=savemart/>

Most of the changes in the next six years would downscale the remaining divisions. In the Dallas–Fort Worth division, in 2007, the distribution center was sold and outsourced to [[Associated Wholesale Grocers]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.progressivegrocer.com/albertsons-llc-exit-oklahoma-outsource-dfw-grocery-distribution?nopaging=1|title=Albertson's LLC to Exit Oklahoma, Outsource DFW Grocery Distribution|website=Progressivegrocer.com|date=June 20, 2007 |access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326142652/http://www.progressivegrocer.com/albertsons-llc-exit-oklahoma-outsource-dfw-grocery-distribution?nopaging=1|url-status=live}}</ref> and Albertsons would exit both Oklahoma<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/albertsons-leaving-oklahoma/article_613fa78d-bea9-5080-b088-1ad385c5e963.html|title=Albertsons leaving Oklahoma|website=Tulsaworld.com|date=June 20, 2007 |access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301053631/https://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/albertsons-leaving-oklahoma/article_613fa78d-bea9-5080-b088-1ad385c5e963.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/09/10/daily25.html|title=Story|date=September 10, 2007|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2019-06-23|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326231427/http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/09/10/daily25.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Oklahoma stores were sold to 
Associated Wholesale Grocers members while the Austin stores were sold to [[H-E-B]]. With the closures, only four stores south of the Dallas–Fort Worth area existed in Texas, all of which were closed or sold by December 2011. Additionally, many of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex stores closed during this time,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/retail/stories/013007dnbusalbertsons.2f9dd831.html|title=Albertsons to close 6 D-FW stores|date=September 30, 2007|website=Dallasnews.com|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014915/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/retail/stories/013007dnbusalbertsons.2f9dd831.html|archive-date=September 30, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> even into 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2011/01/14/albertsons-to-close-5-stores-in-dallas-fort-worth|title=Albertsons to close 5 stores in Dallas–Fort Worth|date=January 14, 2011|work=Dallas News|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326230201/http://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2011/01/14/albertsons-to-close-5-stores-in-dallas-fort-worth|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Albertsons Dallas.JPG|thumb|left|A typical Albertsons-Savon store in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], in October 2005 (Store #4297). This store was later sold as part of FTC-ordered divestment, and later became Minyard Sun Fresh Market, but has since closed.]]

The Florida division, which was always discontiguous with Albertsons' main market, suffered a blow in June 2008 when Albertsons LLC entered into an agreement with [[Lakeland, Florida]]-based [[Publix]] stores to sell 49 Florida Albertsons locations to the chain. This included 15 stores in Northern and Northwest Florida, 30 locations in Central Florida, and four locations in South Florida. The sale was completed in September.<ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures-ownership/11407428-1.html Publix buying 49 Albertsons Stores], ''AllBusiness'', June 9, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501060330/http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures-ownership/11407428-1.html |date=May 1, 2010 }}</ref> In April 2012, the company closed most of its stores in Florida.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theledger.com/news/20120411/albertsons-closing-most-florida-stores-plant-city-distribution-center | title=Albertsons Closing Most Florida Stores, Plant City Distribution Center | first=Kyle | last=Kennedy | work=[[The Ledger]] | date=April 11, 2012 | access-date=February 5, 2019 | archive-date=February 7, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015153/https://www.theledger.com/news/20120411/albertsons-closing-most-florida-stores-plant-city-distribution-center | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/04/10/most-florida-albertsons-will-shutter/ | title=Most Florida Albertsons will shutter | first=Sandra | last=Pedicini | work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] | date=April 10, 2012 | access-date=March 25, 2017 | archive-date=March 26, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326140045/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-10/business/os-albertsons-closing-20120410_1_albertsons-llc-florida-stores-liquidation-sale | url-status=live }}</ref> The Plant City distribution center was sold to [[Gordon Food Service]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbo.com/local/communitynewsalbertsons-sells-distribution-center-57536|title=Albertsons sells distribution center|date=January 9, 2010|website=Tbo.com|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326135557/http://www.tbo.com/local/communitynewsalbertsons-sells-distribution-center-57536|archive-date=March 26, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> though the Florida Division continued to be located there. By April 2012, only four stores remained in the entire state of Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-10/business/os-albertsons-closing-20120410_1_albertsons-llc-florida-stores-liquidation-sale|title=Albertsons closing most Florida stores|website=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326140045/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-10/business/os-albertsons-closing-20120410_1_albertsons-llc-florida-stores-liquidation-sale|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Rocky Mountain division slowly shed stores.<ref>[http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0,2777,DRMN_23916_5293014,00.html Albertsons to close nine stores], ''Rocky Mountain News'', January 20, 2007.  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210021/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23916_5293014%2C00.html |date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/08/24/daily27.html Albertsons closing 5 Denver-area stores] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025094502/http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/08/24/daily27.html |date=October 25, 2012 }}, ''Denver Business Journal'', August 25, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Albertsons to close more Denver-area stores |url=http://archive.9news.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=130393 |work=9News |date=January 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150416165236/http://archive.9news.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=130393 |archive-date=April 16, 2015 }}</ref> By April 2007, there were only 32 stores left in the state of Colorado.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2007/01/19/albertsons-closing-9-stores-in-state/|title=Albertsons closing 9 stores in state|date=January 19, 2007|website=Denverpost.com|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326135606/http://www.denverpost.com/2007/01/19/albertsons-closing-9-stores-in-state/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2007, SuperValu acquired the eight remaining Wyoming locations from Albertson's LLC not already owned by the company. These stores continued to operate under the Albertsons banner.<ref>[http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_0d7be134-e320-51ea-b103-825b6906dd62.html Supervalu will acquire Albertsons stores] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026085139/http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_0d7be134-e320-51ea-b103-825b6906dd62.html |date=October 26, 2014 }}, ''The Casper Star Tribune'', December 20, 2007.</ref> 2008 also brought the sale of Albertsons' lone South Dakota and Nebraska stores to [[Nash Finch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/article_757bb1b3-9d3a-57a3-8194-c40bbb6fe1b1.html|title=Nash Finch to buy Rapid City Albertsons|website=Rapidcityjournal.com|date=February 15, 2008 |access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-date=September 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923050845/http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/article_757bb1b3-9d3a-57a3-8194-c40bbb6fe1b1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2009, the distribution center and division office closed and the 26 remaining stores moved to the Southwest division.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2009/08/25/albertsons-to-shut-5-colorado-stores/|title=Albertsons to shut 5 Colorado stores|date=August 25, 2009|work=Denver Post|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326135801/http://www.denverpost.com/2009/08/25/albertsons-to-shut-5-colorado-stores/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Only the Southwest division was spared the major cuts suffered by the other divisions. On June 12, 2007, Albertsons LLC agreed to acquire all [[Raley's]] locations in New Mexico. The acquisition includes one closed and eight operating stores in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]] and one store in [[Taos, New Mexico|Taos]], thus doubling Albertsons store base in the Albuquerque metro.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-12-2007/0004607088&EDATE= Albertson's LLC to Acquire Raley's New Mexico Stores] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929142539/http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F06-12-2007%2F0004607088&EDATE= |date=September 29, 2007 }}, ''PR Newswire'', June 13, 2007.</ref>

In June 2007, Albertson's LLC decided to discontinue its Preferred Savings Card Program, choosing instead to offer discounted items to all of its customers.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120722234213/http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0620biz-albertsons0620.html Albertsons to discontinue loyalty cards today], ''The Arizona Republic'', June 20, 2007.</ref> In September 2007, all Albertsons stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and Florida markets began collecting their Albertsons Preferred Savings Cards.<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/retail/stories/092707dnbusalbertsonscard.11053c3a4.html Albertsons's ditches loyalty cards], ''Dallas Morning News'', September 27, 2007. {{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:MidCityAlbertsonsDavisOct08Gaspumps.jpg|thumb|An Albertsons Express that closed due to [[Hurricane Katrina]], located in [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]]]

==== End of the first generation of Albertsons Express ====
Beginning in 2008, Albertsons began exiting the fuel business, selling 72 of over one hundred Albertsons Express gas stations to [[Valero Energy]], which converted most of them to [[Corner Store]] locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cspdailynews.com/fuels-news-prices-analysis/fuels-news/articles/valero-buy-albertsons-c-stores|title=Valero to Buy Albertson's C-Stores|website=Cspdailynewsd.com|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326135917/http://www.cspdailynews.com/fuels-news-prices-analysis/fuels-news/articles/valero-buy-albertsons-c-stores|url-status=live}}</ref> This wouldn't be the end though, as many Express stores still remained including Cheyenne, WY.<ref name=":1" /> It wouldn't be until 2011-2013 that most of the Albertsons Express locations were divested under the Supervalu company. Even then, some locations including Hillsboro still displayed Albertsons Express banners.<ref name=":0" />