Save-A-Lot, a grocery chain and a division of Supervalu (NYSE: SVU), and Hispanic grocery operator Rafael Ortega have joined together to form a new company, Adventure Supermarkets LLC. The new company owns and operates six former Save-A-Lot stores in the Houston and South Texas markets under a co-branded format, El Ahorro Save-A-Lot.
“We are always looking for innovative opportunities to bring the Save-A-Lot brand to local communities, and we think this affiliation best enables us to serve the Hispanic community in this area,” said Bill Shaner, Save-A-Lot president and chief executive officer. “This relationship is a new business model for the company. Combining Mr Ortega’s local insights with the power of the Save-A-Lot network of stores and exclusive-label expertise will enhance our ability to provide our Hispanic customers in this part of the country with the products and services they need and want, while positioning the Save-A-Lot brand for growth.”
Ortega has 24 years of experience in serving the Hispanic community in Texas. He owns and operates 15 El Ahorro Supermarkets and almost 100 La Michoacana Meat Markets.
The six Texas stores, which are in Brownsville (one store), Victoria (one store), Harlingen (one store), and Houston (three stores), began operating under the new co-branded name, El Ahorro Save-A-Lot, at the end of May 2010.
Save-A-Lot operates nearly 1,200 stores in 39 states from Maine to California. Serving more than five million shoppers each week, Save-A-Lot offers a savings of up to 40% on groceries versus conventional stores.
For more information, visit www.save-a-lot.com.
