<PAGE>
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.59.1

                                                                October 20, 2005

Clarence J. Gabriel, Jr.

Dear Gabe,

      This letter will amend that certain special employment agreement dated May
5, 2005 between you and Albertson's, Inc. ("Special Employment Agreement"). The
Special Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, except that
the following items in the Special Employment Agreement have been amended as
follows:

1. The definition of "Termination Date" set forth in Section 1 shall be deleted
in its entirety and the following inserted in lieu thereof:

      "The term "Termination Date" shall mean the earliest of (i) April 10,
      2006, (ii) the date you commence employment with or become an independent
      consultant for a third party (regardless of whether such third party is a
      "Competing Business," as that term is defined in Exhibit A hereto), or
      (iii) the date of your death."

2. Subsection 2.B(ii) shall be deleted in its entirety and the following
inserted in lieu thereof:

      "(ii) a bonus for fiscal 2005 that will be calculated pursuant to the
      annual Corporate Bonus Plan based on actual Company performance, prorated
      through the Resignation Date, and paid in a lump sum, less applicable
      taxes, no later than April 15, 2006; provided any bonus is payable under
      the Corporate Incentive Plan."

3. Subsection 4(a) shall be deleted in its entirety and the following inserted
in lieu thereof:

      "(a) If the Termination Date occurs because you commence employment with
      or become an independent contractor for a third party other than a
      Competing Business or die prior to April 10, 2006, the Company will pay
      you: i) the equivalent of your base salary calculated from the Termination
      Date through May 5, 2006 in a lump sum, less applicable taxes, on the
      earlier of within five (5) days following receipt of the notice required
      by Paragraph 5 below and April 15, 2006, and ii) the prorated bonus
      payment described in paragraph 2.B(ii) above as provided therein."

<PAGE>

4. The "May 5, 2006" Termination Date in Subsection 4(b) shall be deleted and
the date "April 10, 2006" inserted in lieu thereof.

5. A new Subsection (c) shall be added to Paragraph 4 as follows:

      "(c) If the Termination Date has not occurred on or prior to April 10,
      2006 due to your commencement of employment with or becoming of an
      independent contractor for a third party other than a Competing Business
      or your death:

            (i) the Company will pay you the additional amount of base salary
            you would have received pursuant to the terms hereof had the
            Termination Date been May 5, 2006. Such amount will be paid in a
            lump sum, less applicable taxes, no later than April 15, 2006;

            (ii) until April 15, 2006, you will be entitled to continue
            participation in and/or receive the benefits under those plans and
            benefits referred to in Sections 2(A)(3), 2(A)(5) and 2(A)(8); and

            (iii) the Termination Date shall be considered April 15, 2006 for
            purposes of Section 2(A)(6)."

5. Paragraph 5 shall be deleted in its entirety and the following inserted in
lieu thereof:

      "5. You agree to notify the Company in writing if you accept employment
      with or accept a position as an independent contractor for any third party
      within five (5) business days of your acceptance, provided that if your
      acceptance of such a position occurs following April 1, 2006, you shall
      also notify the Company by telephone call as soon as reasonably practical
      and in any event on or prior to April 9, 2006. Written notice shall
      specify the name and address of the employer or such third party and the
      date of commencement or engagement and shall be delivered to the Company
      care of the General Counsel of Albertsons, Inc., 250 E. Parkcenter Blvd.,
      Boise, Idaho 83706. Telephonic notice shall be to the General Counsel of
      Albertsons, Inc. at 208-395-6200.

6. A new Section 18 shall be added as follows:

      "18. This Agreement will be interpreted, applied and, to the minimum
      extent necessary, amended so that the Agreement does not fail to meet, and
      is operated in accordance with, the requirements of Section 409A(a)(1) of
      the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended."

<PAGE>

Please acknowledge your agreement by executing and returning this original
signed amendment in the self-addressed envelope provided herewith.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/ John Sims

                                                John Sims
                                                Executive Vice President and
                                                General Counsel

Agreed and accepted this 1st day of November 2005.

By: /s/ Clarence J. Gabriel
    ------------------------------------
    Clarence J. Gabriel