Lucky Still Plans 9 New Stores in Orange County
Lucky Stores confirmed Thursday that it still plans to add nine stores over the next two years to the 28 it has in Orange County--despite the chain’s possible takeover by the owners of La Habra-based Alpha Beta.
During a speech last month in Anaheim, Lucky executive William E. Yingling III talked about the supermarket chain’s plans to maintain its rank as one of Southern California’s biggest chains.
The new Orange County stores are all part of a plan “to be No. 1 in every operating area that we compete in,” Yingling, president of Lucky’s Southern California Division, told the International Council of Shopping Centers.
That project apparently hasn’t been dimmed at all by an unsolicited tender offer of $1.74 billion for Lucky by American Stores, a grocery and drugstore chain that owns Alpha Beta. Dublin, Calif.-based Lucky has hinted that it might resist American’s bid.
43 Stores Planned
In interviews this week, Lucky sources said the chain has not changed its plans to add 43 stores in Southern California through 1990. Of those, 36 will be in new locations and the rest will replace existing, older units.
“There have been no changes at present in our plans to construct new stores,” said Judy Decker, a Lucky spokesperson. Another company source, who asked not to be named, added: “We haven’t made any changes just because somebody made an offer for the company.”
Lucky is now Southern California’s third-largest chain, trailing behind Vons and Ralphs, with 180 stores in its Southern California division. In Orange County, it also ranks third, behind Alpha Beta and Ralphs.
The new Orange County stores are planned for Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano.
HOW CHAINS RANK IN ORANGE COUNTY
No. of stores Name Where based in county Alpha Beta La Habra 39 Ralphs Compton * 31 Lucky Stores Dublin 28 Albertsons Boise, Idaho 24 Vons El Monte ** 22 Stater Bros. Colton 16 Safeway *** Oakland 14 Boys Markets Highland Park 2
* Includes Giant Stores.
** Includes Pavilion and Pantry stores.
*** Vons has agreed to acquire Safeway’s Southern California stores.
