Supervalu (NYSE: SVU) is one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States with 2,349 company-operated and affiliated stores nation-wide. Supervalu has 23 dedicated distribution centers, and operates 1,161 retail food stores under multiple brand names including: Acme, Albertsons, Bristol Farms, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher’s, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw’s, Shop ’n Save, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy and Star Market. In addition to competition from traditional grocer rivals such as Kroger and Safeway, Supervalu also faces increasing competition from wholesale warehouse operators such as Costco, big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart and specialty grocers like Whole Foods. In 2006, Supervalu teamed up with private equity firm Cerberus to acquire Albertson's. The acquisition significantly increased Supervalu's retail grocer operations and gave it an expanded presence in several key geographic markets including Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Southern California.

For 2009, Supervalu posted a net loss of $2.86 billion from its total revenues of $44.6 billion.

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