Giving customers the products they want, at a fair price, with lots of tender, loving care: Albertsons

Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. The company operates more than 2,300 stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 19 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, and Carrs.

Albertsons Companies is dedicated to helping people across the country live better lives. In 2015 alone, with the help of our generous customers, Albertsons Companies and the Albertsons Companies Foundation gave more than $270 million in food and financial support to the more than 2,300 communities we serve, improving the lives of millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities, and veterans outreach. All of our stores were founded on the philosophy of offering customers the products they wanted to buy at a fair price, with lots of tender, loving care. We still open our doors every day today with that in mind, and because of it, we run really great stores.

Genesis of Albertsons

In 1939, Joe Albertson, a former Safeway district manager, took $5,000 he saved and $7,500 he borrowed from his wife’s Aunt Bertie, and partnered with L.S. Skaggs to open his first Albertsons store on 16th and State Streets in Boise, Idaho. Joe knew the keys of running a really great store, and it was all about working hard for the customers: give them the products they want, at a fair price, with lots of tender, loving care. Joe was innovative, too. He had one of the first in-store magazine racks in the country along with a scratch bakery and fresh ice cream made in store. He worked hard, seven days a week on his vision to build his company, and through his inspiring work ethic and tireless determination to run the best store, the first store thrived. Just two years later, he had opened two other stores in neighboring communities and grew the fledgling company’s sales to over $1 million by the end of 1941.

From its humble beginnings in 1939 to its rebirth and evolution in 2006, Albertsons has seen many changes over the course of history. Despite war and hardship, the store continues to serve its customers with tender loving care. Joe’s legacy lives on in each and every Albertsons associate and customer.

Today, Albertsons operates as a banner of Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. With both a strong local presence and national scale, the company operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 19 well-known banners. Albertsons Companies is dedicated to helping people across the country live better lives. In 2015 alone, with the help of generous customers, Albertsons Companies and the Albertsons Companies Foundation gave more than $270 million in food and financial support to the more than 2,300 communities they serve.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Responsibility, Sustainability & Community: For the past two consecutive years, we were awarded EPA’s Retail Partner of the Year Award for increasing awareness of the EPA’s Safer Choice Program. Safer Choice uses the technical tools and expertise of EPA scientists to evaluate each product that manufacturers submit for Safer Choice labeling against the Safer Choice Standard and Safer Chemical Ingredients List. Items that meet the EPA’s safer product standards (such as our OWN Brands Bright Green cleaning products) are eligible to use the Safer Choice label. In addition to this, we also have our own Restricted Substances List for our Open Nature products. Be sure to read our Chemicals Policy and BPA position statement for additional details on our product commitments.

Creating Sustainable Practices for Recycling: For nearly 20 years, Albertsons stores and distribution centers have been recycling plastic and cardboard, and for the last 15 years, we have proudly hosted community plastic recycling bins in our stores, accepting newspaper bags and dry cleaning bags in addition to any grocery store’s bags. We encourage customers to use reusable bags, and we also make paper and plastic bags available for customers who prefer them – we take care to do what the customer wants.

Supporting Sustainable Food Supplies: We believe in sourcing sustainable foods that support our communities and benefit the environment. Where possible, we source products from local growers and providers.

We are also committed to providing our customers with high-quality, sustainable, and traceable seafood from environmentally and socially responsible sources. We aim to improve transparency within our seafood supply chains; to protect the oceans; and to provide fair and equitable treatment for the people who depend on them for their livelihoods. We have a comprehensive Responsible Seafood Policy and Commitment covering fresh and frozen seafood, sushi and shelf-stable tuna.

Greet the Leader

Bob Miller, currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons Companies, LLC, a North American grocery company comprised of over 2,300 stores under 19 popular banners including ACME, Albertsons, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarket and Vons stores. Miller began his career at Albertson’s, Inc., and over 30 years worked his way up from Store Manager to Executive Vice President of Retail Operations.

“Our Foundation supports causes that impact our customers’ lives. Our stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through our employees’ passion, partnerships with our vendors and the generous contributions of our customers.”