Under the refund rewards program, customers who purchase grocery gift cards in either $250 or $300 increments will get another $20 or $30 added to the card, respectively. The refund rewards program is available March 15 through April 15, 2009, at the following SUPERVALU stores: Acme^(R), Albertsons^(R), bigg's^(R), Cub Foods^(R), Farm Fresh^(R), Hornbacher's^(R), Jewel-Osco^(R) and Shaw's/Star Market(TM).

According to research firm Information Resources Inc., consumers are eating out less often, and more are cooking from scratch or with fewer convenience foods to save money.¹ A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that one in three Americans have sustained a job loss or pay cut or know of someone who has, and among those who've not experienced these factors, 79 percent feel financially insecure. And even among Americans who say they feel financially secure, 55 percent are trimming their spending.²

"We know that consumers' budgets are strained like never before, so we're looking for ways to help our shoppers find value at the grocery store," said Jeff Noddle, SUPERVALU chairman and CEO. "This program will help our shoppers put more in their carts, whether they're looking to stock up on the staples or purchase items for a special meal."

Customers who are interested in the refund reward program can purchase grocery gift cards at the customer service counters at their local stores; no tax form or refund check is necessary. Grocery gift card purchases may not exceed $1,250 per household, not including the bonus amount. Bonus amounts cannot be used for the purchase of alcohol, fuel, tobacco, lottery tickets, dairy products, prescription drugs or additional gift cards.

In addition to the refund rewards program, SUPERVALU is helping consumers stretch their budgets in a number of other ways. For example, the company has expanded its own brand selection to provide consumers more cost-effective options throughout the store. New brands rolled out over the past year include wild harvest(TM), a line of organic/natural products, and Culinary Circle(TM), a line of restaurant-quality food customers can easily prepare at home.

About SUPERVALU
SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest companies in the United States grocery channel with estimated annual sales of $45 billion. SUPERVALU holds leading market share positions across the U.S. with approximately 2,500 retail grocery locations, including nearly 920 in-store pharmacies. Through SUPERVALU's nationwide supply chain network, the company provides distribution and related logistics support services to more than 5,000 grocery endpoints across the country. SUPERVALU currently has approximately 190,000 employees. For more information about SUPERVALU, visit www.supervalu.com.

¹ Information Resources Inc., IRI times and Trends, a Snapshot of Trends Shaping the GPG and Retail Industries, 2008 CPG Year in Review

² ABC News/Washington Post Poll: Economic Anxiety, February 25, 2009

SOURCE: SUPERVALU INC.