Following the Albertsons merger, it seems that there's a lot less centralized decision-making within Safeway compared to the Lifestyle days, with each division being left to their own devices to some extent, especially when it comes to decor. If you drive down the west coast, as I did, the predominant currently-used Safeway decor goes from Modern (Washington) to Lifestyle v3 (Oregon) to Modern Deluxe (Northern California) to Colorful Lifestyle v2 and Ultra-Premium (Southern California, for Vons and Pavilions respectively). That's a far cry from the days when almost every store on the whole coast had Lifestyle (either v1 or v2)! And each division seems to put their own twist on the decor packages they use -- with Modern Deluxe, the NorCal division added a pair of these smaller signs to the produce department, along with a few other subtle differences we'll see later.
Here in Texas, at least with Randall's and Tom Thumb stores in the Southern Division, Colorful Lifestyle v2 has become the favored remodel decor package. Lifestyle v3 and Modern were used in earlier times, but not so much now. Things are different with new stores. New Tom Thumbs and the one new Georgetown Randall's in the Austin area which have opened in the last few years have Modern, though it seems to be both Modern and Modern Deluxe.
ReplyDeleteUnlike in Oregon, where remodeled Albertsons keeping the Albertsons name seem to be getting Lifestyle v3, like the United division Albertsons in El Paso, TX, Southern Division Albertsons stores usually get Legacy or Heritage decor...moreso Heritage decor in the last couple of years. Speaking of which, did I ever share with you the photos of the Irving, TX Albertsons which opened a few weeks ago? This is the first new Albertsons to open in Texas, excluding West Texas which is a very different story, in many, many years. It is subsidized by the Irving government and it is in an old Minyard/Fiesta Mart, but Albertsons really put a lot of effort into this store. It looks pretty good! I thought you might like to look at an Albertsons grand opening since I know it seems unlikely that any new Albertsons will be opening anytime soon in OR or WA.
Link: https://goo.gl/maps/V3vzP4dkejdepG1c9
Video of the grand opening: https://archive.org/details/coitx-Albertsons_Opens_New_Store_in_South_Irving
It's nice that you actually have new (or even replacement) Safeway/Albertsons stores opening in your area... that isn't much of a thing in the Northwest, or the West Coast as a whole from what I can tell. In the years since the merger, Washington has seen one new and one replacement Safeway open, though a couple more replacements are in construction as Safeway works to redevelop their Seattle stores to include apartments above.
DeleteIt's also nice to hear that Heritage is becoming more common in your area! That's probably my favorite current Albertsons/Safeway package, though Ultra-Premium gives it a run for its money (and of course Colorful Lifestyle v2 is great, but it's not really a decor package of its own as much as a refresh of existing decor). It seems Albertsons is reserving it for stores under their own name, which limits my chances of seeing it anywhere else around here anytime soon!
Ha, I wish that all these new Albertsons and Tom Thumbs were in my area, but they are mostly in North Texas except for the Georgetown/Austin Randall's, but even that isn't in my area. At least the Southern Division is growing rather than contracting and they seem to have competent people in charge. Maybe we'll get new Randall's stores in Houston one day.
DeleteThe Safeway conversion of the Grocery Palace Albertsons in Troutdale, OR may show some things the Oregon division might do if they had new stores. Check out the latest photos feed. I like that red wall in the vestibule! Link: https://goo.gl/maps/VhydsYhHsJy3H7vf6
Still closer than any sort of new-store activity is to me! Safeway seems to be contracting throughout the west coast.
DeleteInteresting to see that store got standard Lifestyle v3 -- some other recent remodels have resurrected the woodgrain version. Seems like the Portland Division still isn't sure what they want to do -- not only in terms of decor, but also with whether or not to keep the Albertsons brand!