Albertsons expands Signature Reserve premium line

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. has expanded Signature Reserve, which it calls “its exclusive new top-shelf label,” into several new categories including pasta and pasta sauce, single-origin whole-bean coffee, loose-leaf tea, confectionery and pie filling, according to a press release.

Albertsons announced the initial launch of the premium brand in May with seven flavors of ice cream, with Brazilian Guava Cheesecake emerging as a particular customer favorite, according to the retailer.

“Signature Reserve inspires delicious discovery with extraordinary and expertly sourced flavors and ingredients,” said Geoff White, president of Albertsons Cos. Own Brands, in a statement. “I personally experienced this with our tomato, porcini, and black truffle pasta sauce. It instantly became a favorite in our home. I am so excited for our customers to have the same kind of unique culinary moments.”

Signature Reserve products are globally sourced to meet exacting standards of the brand, according to Albertsons. For example, the smoky pecan pie filling is flavored with aged bourbon, brown sugar, and real vanilla bean sourced from Madagascar, known for growing the finest vanilla in the world, the retailer said. Each of the expertly sourced single-origin coffees is grown by conscientious famers; the Ethiopian coffee is grown by 150 local farmers. The pasta and pasta sauce are made in Torino, Italy, based on authentic recipes passed down through generations of the Pochettino family.

Customer interest in premier-level products like Signature Reserve is typically higher during the holiday season, when shoppers hope to discover giftable items or special new products for a festive occasion, according to Albertsons.

The retailer said it plans to continue adding to the Signature Reserve line into 2019.

“We have a really high bar for Signature Reserve,” White said. “As we discover products and flavors that meet our rigorous selection process, we can’t wait to share them with our customers.”

Signature Reserve is part of Albertson’s Signature brands or store brands, which generates more than $6 billion in annual sales. Signature brands include Signature Cafe, Signature Farms, Signature Care, Signature Select and Signature Reserve. Albertsons other private brands include O Organics, Lucerne and Open Nature.

Albertsons operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs, as well as meal kit company Plated.