It was a rough start for shoppers when Associated Food Stores bought out most Albertsons supermarkets in Utah, now named Fresh Market.

Now customers in Summit, Davis and Weber counties are enjoying, through Tuesday, grand-opening sales at 10 of the 34 newly branded Fresh Market stores.

"It's our way of saying thanks" said Dick King, head of the Fresh Market chain. "Thanks for sticking with us, and thanks for coming back."

Grand openings at other stores are scheduled this spring.

At 2 p.m. today, customers at all 10 can enter to win a two-minute shopping spree, filling up carts with Western Family brand items. And at 4 p.m. every day, shoppers may draw for $200 store gift cards. There are other in-store giveaways, and a grand-prize drawing for a Ford Focus.

The deal to take over the Albertsons stores was completed in November. But the takeover had glitches. Shoppers had delays in getting prescriptions, and shelves weren't fully stocked as Albertsons pulled out and Associated took over.

"It took time to get things right," said Dennie Kendall, Fresh Market store director. "Now that we're locally owned, we have much more flexibility in providing people what they want."

Prices have been cut on thousands of items from the old Albertsons, says Kendall. Most noticeable are reductions in the produce and dairy sections.

Shopper Linda Frost says she misses the loyalty card that Albertsons offered. But Marjory Moss said the cards were a hassle, "and I don't like playing price games."

Company officials won't release sales figures, but they say receipts are up 10 percent since the takeover last fall.

The Utah-based Associated Food Stores is a wholesaler to more than 500 independent grocers in seven Western states. It also operates 22 stores under the Macey's, Dan's, Lin's and Dick's Market banners. The Fresh Market chain, however, is larger than all other Associated-owned store chains combined.

The Albertsons deal brings the number of Associated-owned stores in Utah to 58, surpassing Smith's 47 outlets and Walmart's 39 stores. Now Associated stores and its retail members make up nearly 40 percent of Utah's grocery market -- knocking Walmart to the No. 2 spot in sales.

The Minneapolis-based Supervalu sold most of its Utah Albertsons as part of a debt-reduction plan.

Albertsons continues to operate its Tooele store and its three supermarkets in St. George. In addition, its Salt Lake City Distribution Center serves Albertsons stores in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

dawn@sltrib.com