LUBBOCK, TX – As the company continues to invest in the Texas market, and the subsequent expansion of its chains, the United Family of stores has announced that it will invest more than $100 million into the Lubbock scene with both remodeled and new stores.
“The Lubbock community has been extremely loyal to United since we moved our offices here in 1956,” stated Robert Taylor, United President, in a news conference. “People have invested in United and we’ve invested in Lubbock. It’s been a priority of our team.”
United currently has nine stores in the Hub City area already. This investment will remodel seven of those stores, plans for which will begin immediately and are expected to complete in the fall. Some renovations will include the installation of a Starbucks café.
The company released the plans in a news conference at its distribution center in Lubbock, TX, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. United stated in the conference that the affected stores will undergo renovations slowly to prevent disruptions to customers.
United stated that another Lubbock store, which was already under construction, is also expected to finish its remodel to open in the fall. In further efforts to increase its retail footprint in Lubbock, United has plans to start also development at a new location in the Hub City.
“We’ll break ground on that one later this year, which will give us another retail option in Lubbock,” Taylor said. “With the new store at Fourth Street we will also have retail space available for development, which will bring new retail business to that area.”
United also divulged to press at the conference updates on its current distribution center expansion in the area, valued at $33.7 million.
“We are adding 200,000 square- feet to this facility," stated Chris St. Clair, United Executive Vice President of Logistics and Information. "It’s a 500,000 square-foot facility today. We’re adding to the north, to the south and in between — everywhere you go we have a project going on. The new building addition is important to United because it has allowed us to expand our store count and our impact to our region.”
With the expansion of the new distribution center, current store under construction, and the newly planned store, United stated that it expects to create hundreds of jobs. United was praised by the Mayor of Lubbock, Dan Pope, for its support of the community.
The United Family of supermarkets was acquired by Albertsons in 2013 for around $385 million. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, under Albertsons management, United has acquired 12 Albertsons stores and has been transitioning them to a Market Street business model.
The United Family chain includes the banners of United Supermarkets, Amigos, Albertsons Market, Market Street, and United Express.
As the Texas retail market continues to carve out the top contenders, keep up with AndNowUKnow as we report on sizable investments and announcements.
