Albertsons Companies’ Open Nature® Brand Expands Its ‘Free-From’ Approach Into Non-Food Categories

BOISE, Idaho, April 03, 2018 -- As customers continue to pursue real food and natural products that are free from artificial ingredients, Albertsons Companies, one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, today announced that it is expanding its exclusive Open Nature® brand into non-food categories and expects to release more than 240 new Open Nature products in 2018.

Albertsons Companies plans to introduce Open Nature home care products this year, which follows the recent releases of Open Nature goods in both the baby and pet food categories. Open Nature’s pet food offers both grain and grain-free options.

“We know that our customers want high-quality, clean, and more natural products at affordable prices,” said Geoff White, President of Own Brands. “Whether it’s for their spouse, child, or pet, we know how important it is to feel good about the food they feed their family and the products that come into their homes. We’re more committed than ever to offering customers that experience, which is why we are excited to introduce a wider variety of Open Nature products and expand the brand’s free-from approach into non-food categories.”

Open Nature launched in 2011 with approximately 100 products and a vision to provide customers with access to simple and flavorful food. Since then, more and more customers across Albertsons Companies’ banners are enjoying Open Nature food products because they are free from 110 ingredients that consumers of natural products want to avoid, such as antibiotics, MSG-type ingredients, nitrates, and preservatives like sulfites and benzoates. Open Nature meats are free from preservatives and added hormones.

In January, the company announced that it would introduce more than 450 new products under its O Organics® line in 2018. Together, Open Nature and O Organics comprise $1.4 billion in sales. Open Nature and O Organics products are sold only in Albertsons Companies stores.

Other Albertsons Companies Own Brands include Signature Select, Lucerne, Primo Taglio, and Value Corner. The company’s lineup of Own Brands products achieved over $11 billion in sales in fiscal year 2017.

About Albertsons CompaniesAlbertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. We operate stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs, as well as meal kit company Plated based in New York City. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2017 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans outreach.

Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our perspectives and expectations, are forward looking statements. The words “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions, when related to the company and its subsidiaries, indicate forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current view of management and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on various assumptions and factors, including general economic, market, industry and operational factors. Any changes to these assumptions or factors may lead to practical results different from current expectations. Excessive reliance should not be placed on those statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and the company and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made.Attachments:

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/527fdc10-7bfc-49da-a355-d92070e0cfc5

Andrew Whelan
Albertsons Companies
[email protected]