BOISE, ID - Albertsons is returning to its roots as it lays out and implements moves to invest back in its home state. With five new stores to be opened in the region, including remodels that will showcase a fresher focus, such as an expanded salad bar, new cold cases and check stands, and a revamp of its dairy section, the retailer is spicing things up in Idaho.

“Since 2013, we have made investment in the Treasure Valley a top priority and have remodeled all of our Albertsons stores here to ensure our customers have an exceptional and modern shopping experience,” Kathy Holland of the retailer’s Intermountain Division told Idaho Statesman of the plan.

A single remodel will cost Albertsons upwards of $230,000, and in addition to the features listed above, will include a new Starbucks kiosk and floor tiles for the store.

Albertsons will also debut its first Idaho Market Street banner, remodeling a 100,000-square-foot former Shopko that will be unveiled with an emphasis on fresh products, according to the news source, and should open this fall. The retailer is also replacing a recently-demolished store with a new building set to open in June, featuring an in-store dining and a tap room and spanning 63,000-square-feet.

Additional new stores for the state include:

• A 50,000-square-foot store issued by the city of Boise last month
• A new store to be built on a 12-acre parcel in Ada County
• A new store to be built on an 11-acre parcel in Barber Valley
• A new store in south Meridian with no size provided

The two stores already set to open will employ 400 to 500 workers, Holland noted, and while there is no open date yet planned for the other new locations, Albertsons plans to hire 300 to 500 workers when they are up and running.

AndNowUKnow will report further moves from Albertsons and other retail expansions that could influence the produce industry.

Albertsons