News Release
For Immediate Release
June 19, 2007

HOMELAND PLANS TO PURCHASE
SEVEN FORMER ALBERTSON’S STORES

Acquisition Increases Homeland Stores in Oklahoma to 51
and Creates New Opportunities for Growth

EDMOND, OK -- Edmond, Oklahoma, based Homeland, an Associated Wholesale Grocer (AWG) retail member, announced today an agreement to purchase seven Albertson’s stores in Oklahoma as well as the Sav-On Pharmacies located inside the stores.  When the acquisition is completed later this summer, Homeland will operate 69 stores across Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.  Fifty-one of the stores are in Oklahoma.The Albertson’s stores Homeland plans to purchase are located at:           

            5827 NW Expressway                        Oklahoma City
            10700 S Pennsylvania Ave                 Oklahoma City
            9225 N May Ave                                Oklahoma City
            7101 NW 23rd                                    Bethany
            1251 Alameda                                    Norman
            2600 W Robinson                               Norman
            2410 N Chandler                                 Muskogee

“We admire the job Albertson’s is doing and we want to continue to build on their strengths of superior perishables, great customer service, and professional pharmacy care,” said Darryl Fitzgerald, Homeland CEO.  “The acquisition will bring Homeland additional expertise and create new opportunities in the market.  We respect the loyalty of Albertson’s customers and we intend to make this a seamless transition.  It will be business as usual and customers will see minimal changes in the stores. In fact, prescription records will stay in the pharmacies so customers will be able to continue filling their prescriptions without any inconvenience.”Fitzgerald continued, “Today’s announcement is good news for our employees, vendors and, most importantly, both Albertson’s and Homeland customers.  We are excited to welcome these stores to our family.”Homeland has experienced steady growth in Oklahoma since 2002, when the company was acquired by Associated Wholesale Grocers, the oldest and second largest retailer-owned grocery wholesaler in the United States.  The company has added 19 new stores in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri since 2002. “This steady growth is a testament to the capable people we have on our team.  Their dedication, hard work and passion for serving our customers are second to none in my opinion. Albertson’s has outstanding employees who share the same values and commitments.  We have every reason to be exceedingly confident about the future,” Fitzgerald said.  When the purchase is complete, Homeland will employ approximately 4,000 associates.Fitzgerald also said he believes Homeland’s size is a competitive advantage.  “We are the right size with the resources necessary to effectively compete in the market.  We are large enough to deliver quality and quantity of products and services at an attractive price point.  Our size also allows us to be agile enough to customize the product mix in our stores to serve specific communities’ needs.”