<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-18-182535.txt : 20180703
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-18-182535.hdr.sgml : 20180703
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180604080056
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-18-182535
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180604

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Albertsons Companies, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001646972
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0215

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 PARKCENTER BLVD.
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83706
		BUSINESS PHONE:		208-395-6200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 PARKCENTER BLVD.
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83706
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>CORRESP</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:ARIAL" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:ARIAL; font-size:18pt"><B>Schulte Roth</B></FONT><FONT
STYLE="font-family:ARIAL; font-size:12pt"> &amp;</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family:ARIAL; font-size:18pt"><B> Zabel</B></FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family:ARIAL; font-size:10pt"> LLP </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:ARIAL" ALIGN="center">919 Third Avenue </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:ARIAL" ALIGN="center">New York, NY 10022 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:ARIAL" ALIGN="center">212.756.2000 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:ARIAL" ALIGN="center">212.593.5955 fax </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:ARIAL" ALIGN="center">www.srz.com </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Writer&#146;s Direct Number</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(212) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">756-2407</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Writer&#146;s <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">E-mail</FONT> Address</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Stuart.Freedman@srz.com</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;4, 2018 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Via EDGAR </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Securities and Exchange Commission </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Office of Consumer Products </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">100 F Street, N.E. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Washington, D.C. 20549 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Attention:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr.&nbsp;William&nbsp;H. Thompson </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">Re:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Albertsons Companies, Inc. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the Fiscal Year Ended February&nbsp;24, 2018 </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Filed May&nbsp;11, 2018 </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-205546</FONT> (the &#147;Annual Report&#148;) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dear
Mr.&nbsp;Thompson: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On behalf of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;), we have reviewed the comments of the staff (the
&#147;Staff&#148;) of the Securities and Exchange Commission set forth in its letter dated May&nbsp;31, 2018, concerning the Annual Report (the &#147;Comment Letter&#148;), and respond below. For the convenience of the Staff, we have repeated each
of the Staff&#146;s comments in italics immediately above our responses to each corresponding comment. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Annual Report. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We hereby file simultaneously by EDGAR Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the above referenced Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> (the
&#147;Amendment&#148;) addressing comments contained in the Comment Letter. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company&#146;s responses to the Staff&#146;s comments are
as follows: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>General </U></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">1.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Please note the Commission file number for Albertsons Companies, Inc., the successor issuer to Albertsons Companies, LLC, is <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">333-205546.</FONT></I> </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company respectfully acknowledges the Staff&#146;s comment. In response to the Staff&#146;s comment, the Company has updated the cover page
of the Amendment. </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Item 7 &#150; Management&#146;s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
</U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Results of Operations </U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Adjusted EBITDA, page
49 </U></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">2.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>We note you have combined what appear to be multiple adjustments in the acquisition and integration and other line items. Please disclose the amount of each individual adjustment identified in footnotes
(1)</I><I></I><I>&nbsp;and (5).</I> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company respectfully acknowledges the Staff&#146;s comment. In that regard, the
Company has revised the disclosure on page 18 of the Amendment to provide additional detail regarding the acquisition and integration and other line items. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Critical Accounting Policies </U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Goodwill, page 57
</U></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">3.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Please provide information for investors to assess the probability of future goodwill impairment charges. For example, please disclose whether any of your reporting units are at risk of failing a quantitative
analysis or that the fair value of each of your reporting units is substantially in excess of carrying value. If a reporting unit is at risk of failing a quantitative analysis, you should disclose</I> </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>The percentage by which fair value exceeded carrying value as of the date of the most recent test;</I> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>The amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit;</I> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>A description of the methods and key assumptions used and how the key assumptions were determined;</I> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>A discussion of the degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions. The discussion regarding uncertainty should provide specifics to the extent possible (e.g., the valuation model assumes recovery from a
business downturn within a defined period of time); and</I> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>A description of potential events and/or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the key assumptions.</I> </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company respectfully acknowledges the Staff&#146;s comment. In that regard, the Company advises the Staff that the Company&#146;s goodwill
has been allocated to all of its reporting units. As of February&nbsp;24, 2018, there are two reporting units with no goodwill due to the impairment loss recorded during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;24, 2018. There are
nine reporting units with an aggregate goodwill balance of $1,093.9&nbsp;million for which the fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value to indicate a remote likelihood of a future impairment loss. There are
two reporting units with an aggregate goodwill balance of $89.4&nbsp;million (representing 7.6% of the Company&#146;s goodwill balance or 0.4% of the Company&#146;s total assets) where a future impairment loss for a portion of the related goodwill
balances is reasonably possible. In response to this comment, the Company has revised its disclosure in its Critical Accounting Policies on page 25 of the Amendment to include the following disclosure: </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;Goodwill has been allocated to all of the Company&#146;s reporting units and none of its
reporting units have a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. As of February&nbsp;24, 2018, there are two reporting units with no goodwill due to the impairment loss recorded during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended
February&nbsp;24, 2018. There are nine reporting units with an aggregate goodwill balance of $1,093.9&nbsp;million of which the fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value to indicate a remote likelihood of a
future impairment loss. There are two reporting units with an aggregate goodwill balance of $89.4&nbsp;million where it is reasonably possible that future changes in judgments, assumptions and estimates we made in assessing the fair value of the
reporting unit could cause us to recognize impairment charges on a portion of the goodwill balance within each reporting unit. For example, a future decline in market conditions, continued under performance of these two reporting units or other
factors could negatively impact the estimated future cash flows and valuation assumptions used to determine the fair value of these two reporting units and lead to future impairment charges.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Based on the overall materiality of the at risk goodwill, the Company believes that the above level of disclosure is sufficiently
adequate.&nbsp;The Company will continue to update its disclosure in future periodic filings based on any changes in the facts and circumstances.</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Item
8 &#150; Financial Statements and Supplementary Data </U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Consolidated Statements of Operations, page 63 </U></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">4.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Please disclose basic and diluted <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">per-share</FONT> amounts for net income (loss) for each year presented. In addition, since limited liability companies held by AB Acquisition were
taxed previously to members, please present pro forma basic and diluted <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">per-share</FONT> amounts for net income (loss) for each year reflecting income tax expense (benefit).</I> </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company respectfully acknowledges the Staff&#146;s comment. For purposes of the Annual Report, the Company determined presentation of
historical earnings per share was not considered necessary based on the Company&#146;s consideration of the scope exception provided under ASC
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">260-10-15-2,</FONT></FONT></FONT> as the Company does not have any issued common stock or potential common stock that trades on a public market or in
an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">over-the-counter</FONT></FONT> market. The Company acknowledges that it is has filed a Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> (as amended, the
&#147;Registration Statement&#148;) in connection with the pending merger transaction with Rite Aid Corporation (&#147;Rite Aid&#148;) and the issuance of publicly traded equity securities. In the Registration Statement, the Company provided a pro
forma earnings per share measure for the combined company reflecting the effect of the proposed equity exchange for its most recent fiscal year ended February&nbsp;24, 2018. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company believes presentation of any earnings per share information in its Annual Report would not be necessary under the circumstances,
and that the pro forma measure of earnings per share already provided in the Registration Statement is the most meaningful to the potential new holders of the Company&#146;s common stock. In addition, the Company also considered the following: </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Company&#146;s Annual Report was not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement as all required items were separately provided in the Registration Statement, including the Consolidated Financial
Statements. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">As of the financial statement date, the Company&#146;s only registered securities were certain of its debt obligations and earnings per share was not considered relevant or meaningful to the holders of those debt
securities. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Prior to the Reorganization Transactions (as described in Note 1 on page 67 of the Annual Report) on December&nbsp;3, 2017 (the first day of the Company&#146;s fiscal 2017 fourth quarter), the Company&#146;s
predecessor, Albertsons Companies LLC, was a single member limited liability company. Upon completion of the Reorganization Transactions, the Company currently has a single class of equity with approximately 279&nbsp;million common shares issued and
outstanding. The Reorganization Transactions were effectuated prospectively in the historical financial statements. For additional information, see the Company&#146;s Consolidated Statements of Stockholders&#146; / Member Equity on page 66 of the
Annual Report. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Due to the Company&#146;s prospective accounting for the Reorganization Transactions in its Consolidated Statements of Stockholders&#146;/ Member Equity, in addition to the reorganization of the limited liability
companies held by AB Acquisition that were taxed previously to the members, any presentation of earnings per share prior to December&nbsp;3, 2017 would be of a pro forma nature, either in the Annual Report, or in the Registration Statement.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">As a result of the prospective accounting for the Reorganization Transactions, the initial annual historical earnings per share computation for the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;24, 2018 in both the Annual Report and
in the Registration Statement would have reflected a weighted average outstanding number of shares for only one quarter of the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;24, 2018, which the Company believes would not be a meaningful measure to the users of the
Company&#146;s financial statements. The Company will continue to evaluate the need for earnings per share disclosure in future periodic reports depending on whether it continues to be a debt only issuer or is actively pursuing issuing public equity
securities. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">For the prior ten years, the Company&#146;s equity has been closely held by a consortium of investors, as outlined in both the Annual Report as well as in the Registration Statement. The Company believes that per share
historical earnings information would not be meaningful to this investor group. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">In contemplation of any additional historical comparative measure of per share information to be provided in the
Registration Statement, the Company considered that it is not currently proposing to raise any new capital through an initial public offering transaction. In consideration of the proposed merger transaction, the Company also believes that the
historical equity share structure </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">4 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
and operations of the Company are not meaningfully comparative to the expected share structure of the combined company. In connection with the proposed merger transaction, the Company is
expecting to issue approximately 107&nbsp;million additional shares, increasing the total outstanding shares from its historical shares outstanding by approximately 38%. Given the increase in the number of shares and potential material change to the
Company&#146;s financial position and results of operations (including the business of Rite Aid), the Company believes that the pro forma measure of earnings per share currently included in the Registration Statement is the most meaningful measure
of earnings per share. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">In presenting the pro forma effects for each year on the tax expense (benefit) of amounts previously taxed to members on earnings per share, the Company determined that any presentation of prior periods would not be
meaningful considering the factors discussed above and the impact of tax reform in the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;24, 2018 diminishing the relevance and value of meaningful comparability. These considerations, in addition to the Company&#146;s
understanding that the presentation for prior periods is encouraged but not required as noted in the Financial Reporting Manual of the Division of Corporate Finance, resulted in the Company not including the previous periods pro forma effects. As it
relates to consideration of the tax impact in the current fiscal year, given the factors discussed above, together with the determination that the tax impact would not be material on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pro-forma</FONT> basis (the
Company estimated the pro forma impact to be only a 5% to 8% increase to its reported income tax benefit for fiscal year 2017), the Company concluded that pro forma tax impact was not necessary for the current fiscal year. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Based on these considerations, the Company would respectfully propose to retain the existing disclosures currently provided in its Annual
Report as well as in its Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">5.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Please present a subtotal for other comprehensive income as required by ASC <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">220-10-45-1Ab.</FONT></FONT></FONT></I>
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company respectfully acknowledges the Staff&#146;s comment. In that regard, though the Company will respectfully not
include the subtotal in the Amendment, the Company will include a subtotal for other comprehensive income in any future periodic reports or registration statements, as applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Note 5 &#150; Goodwill and Intangible Assets, page 80</U> </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">6.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Please tell us your consideration of disclosing those reporting units with allocated goodwill and the amount of goodwill allocated to each to the extent you have one or more reporting units with zero or negative
carrying amounts of net assets. Please refer to ASC <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">350-20-50-1A.</FONT></FONT></FONT></I> </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company advises the Staff that it has considered the disclosure requirements provided in ASC <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">350-20-50-1,</FONT></FONT></FONT> inclusive of those included in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">50-1A.</FONT> The Company further advises the Staff that the Company has no reporting units
with zero or negative </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">5 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
carrying amounts of net assets. However, in response to this comment, the Company has revised its disclosures in its Critical Accounting Policies on page 25 of the Amendment to include the
following disclosure: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;Goodwill has been allocated to all of the Company&#146;s reporting units and none of its reporting units have
a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, while the Company does not intend to revise its disclosure in the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report, the Company will include the aforementioned disclosure in its Consolidated Financial Statements in any future periodic reports or registration statements, as applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">6 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If you have any questions or comments or require further information with respect to the
foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at (212) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">756-2407.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="100%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Very truly yours,</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">/s/ Stuart D. Freedman</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Stuart D. Freedman</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">CC:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Lisa Kohl, the Securities and Exchange Commission </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Donna Di Silvio, the Securities and Exchange
Commission </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Jennifer L&oacute;pez, the Securities and Exchange Commission </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Robert A. Gordon, Albertsons Companies, Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Robert B. Larson, Albertsons Companies, Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael E. Gilligan, Schulte Roth&nbsp;&amp; Zabel LLP </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Antonio Diaz-Albertini, Schulte Roth&nbsp;&amp; Zabel LLP </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">7 </P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
