Albertsons has acquired meal kit startup Plated

Plated

Sept 20 (Reuters) - Albertsons Companies Inc. has acquired meal kit startup Plated to transform the food experience for consumers.

Plated, which delivers meal ingredients to customers in a subscription model, will continue to operate as a distinct consumer brand with its own leadership team led by co-founder and CEO Josh Hix​. Albertsons says ‍Plated will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertsons Cos​.

According to a press release, Plated meal kits will become available in some Albertsons grocery stores.

"Today's consumer is looking for a variety of personalized shopping alternatives, and this transaction is the latest example of Albertsons Cos. meeting our customers wherever and however they like to shop," said Bob Miller, chairman and CEO of Albertsons Companies. "With Plated, we've found a partner who shares our commitment to delicious, affordable food; superior technology and innovation; and world class customer service."

Hix said: "Joining Albertsons Companies presents an amazing opportunity to accelerate our positive impact on the future of food in America by making fresh, delicious food more widely available. Albertsons Cos. is at the forefront of the changing food and grocery landscape with their customer obsession, their large national store footprint, and their exciting plans for the future of the grocery store."

"We're excited to be partnering with them to shepherd our growth while preserving the unique strengths that define Plated today. There's tremendous upside for Plated’s customers whose experience with our brand will only get better. As meal kits continue to gain traction in the marketplace, we believe the winning formula combines choice, flexibility, culinary expertise, and the ability for customers to buy across channels — all of which we are now singularly positioned to deliver in collaboration with Albertsons Cos."

Albertsons operates more than 2,300 grocery stores in the US.