Albertsons

LOS ANGELES — Albertsons has placed an order for what is being called the "first true food bar" for dogs.

All American Pet Co. said Friday it received an order from the grocer for NutraBars, which are designed to be high in protein and low in fat, and are made in the United States.

The company said it also was expecting an order for Chewies Dog Treats, which are all-natural and made with peanuts, cheese and bacon. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 1,119 stores under 12 banners in 29 states.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Thursday announced, as part of its plan to exit the Chicago market, it has sold four of its Dominick's stores in the greater Chicago area to New Albertsons, which operates Jewel-Osco grocery stores.  

Safeway announced today that it intends to exit the Chicago market altogether, where it operates 72 Dominick's stores, by early 2014. "We expect to use the cash tax benefit and any other cash proceeds from the disposal of Dominick's properties to buy back stock and to invest in growth opportunities," the company stated.

It was a big week for executive promotions, particularly the appointment of Mary Kelly as EVP and chief merchandising officer at Rexall Pharma Plus and Chris Dimos, who has joined McKesson as SVP corporate strategy and business development.

There’s no doubt that these two industry leaders bring much to the table in their new roles.

SAN FRANCISCO — Pharmacy veteran Chris Dimos has joined McKesson as SVP corporate strategy and business development, reporting to Brian Tyler, McKesson EVP corporate strategy and business development, DSN has learned. Also joining McKesson is Melanie Nallicheri as SVP McKesson Distribution Solutions. Nallicheri will similarly report to Tyler. 

LOS ANGELES — Tea of a Kind, a tea beverage company, announced today a wide distribution expansion into retail pharmacies, grocery stores and supermarkets in Northern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and more.

The product, which recently won Best Ready-to-Drink Tea Beverage at the 2012 Interbev Awards in Las Vegas, utilizes a "Gizmo Closure and Delivery System," a cap technology, which holds fresh, functional ingredients in a nitrogen pressurized chamber until the point of consumption, the company stated.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A former executive of Supervalu has been tapped for a top position at Stater Bros. Markets, the supermarket chain said.

Stater Bros. announced that former Supervalu EVP retail operations Peter Van Helden had been hired as president and COO of the privately owned San Bernardino, Calif.-based chain, which operates 167 stores in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

NEW YORK — The University of Utah's College of Pharmacy has opened a new research organization designed to encourage collaboration and interaction, according to published reports.

The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News reported on the opening of the L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Institute, a 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes open lab space.

BOISE, Idaho — With its acquisition of five retail grocery banners from Supervalu now complete, Albertsons LLC has outlined its new executive management team.