General Merchandise distribution - Like Ahold, Albertson's will probably move to centralize general merchandise and HBC distribution and procurement across all of its chains. However, this process is dependent upon MIS integration, which may take some time. Loyalty Cards - What is the future of American Stores successful loyalty card programs. At the same time, Albertson's management has successfully positioned all of their supermarkets as EDLP and anti-loyalty card. It is likely that Albertson's will either find a way to make these a profit center in addition to creating loyalty or end the programs.
More locations means more gas.
More gas means a potentially lower purchase price for Albertson's. This traffic builder could help combat competitive pressure in American Stores markets. Before Albertson's can reap many of these long term benefits, the company must decide the fate of the American Stores Delta project. The Delta Project is an initiative to coordinate purchasing and improve supply chain efficiencies across all of the American Stores'chains. If Albertson's finishes the projects it will have to convert all of the systems to a common platform with the Albertson's systems.