Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) announced a restructuring of its operating model, reducing its 11 divisions to four geographic regions, alongside a centralization of center store merchandising under its existing Merch United strategy.

The four regions will be organized as follows: a California Region covering Southern and Northern California markets; a West Region covering Mountain West, Portland and Seattle; a South Region covering Southwest, Southern and United markets; and an East Region covering Jewel-Osco, Mid-Atlantic and Shaw's markets.

The company said the changes are intended to support faster decision-making and improve in-stock performance across its stores and digital channels. There are no plans to realign stores or districts as part of the transition, and the company's existing banners will continue operating under their current identities.

As part of Merch United, center store merchandising functions — including customer insights, supplier relationships, strategy, product, placement, promotion and pricing — will be consolidated under a single enterprise team. Fresh merchandising decisions will remain at the market level.

"By consolidating 11 divisions into four regions and centralizing center store merchandising, we can make faster decisions, improve in-stocks and move accountability closer to our stores," said Susan Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons Companies.

Michelle Larson, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, said the centralization will allow the company to "better leverage our scale, strengthen supplier partnerships and create more capacity for our regional and market teams to focus on fresh, local and the customer needs that make each community unique."

Albertsons Companies operates 2,240 retail stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 22 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Jewel-Osco.