United Supermarkets Commemorates Century of Service
United Supermarkets will kick start a year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary this weekend with a birthday party in all of its 66 stores, which will feature a giveaway of 100,000 free cupcakes in advance of an entire year of initiatives to benefit and improve the communities it serves.
“Reaching our 100th anniversary is a remarkable accomplishment, and a true testament to the hard work and dedication of all our team members through the years, as well as our loyal guests in each of our communities,” said Robert Taylor, United Family CEO. “Most importantly, this celebration is a tribute to the Snell family, because without their vision and leadership, United wouldn’t be the beloved supermarket it is today.”
The commemoration of the Lubbock, Texas-based retailer's century of service will revolve around celebrating and further fortifying the core values of its founder Henry Dewitt Snell, who started the company in 1916 with a single United Cash Store in Sayre, Okla.
To that end, The United Family will launch Shop to Support Schools, a school donation program, which will challenge community members to get involved and help improve the future of local children. In addition, the company will donate 100,000 pounds of apples to local food banks across the company’s service areas in April.
“The company has been very fortunate for an entire century to have owners as well as leaders who believe in the core value of supporting communities and doing the right thing,” said Taylor. “In honor of that legacy and to kick off our next 100 years, the 100th anniversary of United Supermarkets will be acknowledged and celebrated in each of our 36 communities in Texas and New Mexico.”
To express appreciation for the many communities that have supported the company, The United Family will celebrate 100 Days of Giving beginning May 31 by presenting $1,000 to a different local non-profit for 100 consecutive days, totaling a donation of $100,000. Also during that time, the company will donate 100,000 additional pounds of food to local food banks in June in preparation for fall and winter when donations are needed most.
At the start of the holiday season in late November, The United Family – which has since grown into a multi-banner grocery chain serving 36 communities with 66 stores operating under the United Supermarkets, Market Street, Albertsons and Amigos banners, as well as United Express fuel and convenience stores throughout West Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth and Eastern New Mexico – will distribute 1,200 special 100th anniversary stuffed animals to area children’s hospitals in 12 markets.
“With these programs, in addition to dozens of ongoing initiatives, this year will truly be worthy of our 100th anniversary,” said Shelby Crews, senior community relations manager. “Giving back to our guests has always been a cornerstone of United Supermarkets, and that emphasis will continue as The United Family enters its next century.”
The United Family remained a family-owned supermarket chain for 98 years until becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertson’s LLC on Dec. 27, 2013. In order to take advantage of operational and distribution opportunities, Albertsons realigned 12 locations under The United Family and these stores now operate as Albertsons Market stores in Midland-Odessa, San Angelo and Eastern New Mexico.