Albertson's to buy Raley's N.M. stores

BOISE, Idaho Albertson's LLC announced Tuesday that it intends to acquire Raley's ten stores in New Mexico. The acquisition includes one closed and eight operating stores in Albuquerque, and one store in Taos. Doubling Albertsons store base in the Albuquerque region, the addition of these stores will provide the company with the increased operational synergies which result from having a larger regional operation.

Today, Albertsons operates 28 stores throughout New Mexico, eight of which are in the Albuquerque marketplace. After the acquisition is complete, the acquired stores will become part of Albertson's LLC's Southwest division. Based in Tolleson, Ariz., the Southwest division operates 78 stores in Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. This asset transaction is expected to be complete in early August, subject to customary government approval.