Albertsons LLC is an American grocery company founded and headquartered in Boise, Idaho. It is privately owned and operated by investors including Cerebus Capital Management. With 2,200 stores and 250,000 employees, the company is the second-largest supermarket chain in the United States after Kroger and the third largest grocery retailer in North America after Kroger and Walmart.
The company’s parent, Albertsons Companies Inc., owns or operates over 2,200 stores under 20 different banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Jewel-Osco, Acme Markets, Carrs/Safeway, Market Street, United Express, United and Albertsons Market.
Albertsons was founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho. His initial investment was $5,000 and his first store was located at 16th and State streets in Boise. The original store is still operating today.
In 2015 it was announced that Albertsons would be acquiring Safeway Inc. for $9.2 billion including debt. The merger was completed in January 2015 and the combined company has 2,200 stores and 250,000 employees making it the second largest supermarket chain in the United States after Kroger.
In September 2015 it was announced that Albertsons would be acquiring United Grocery Outlet (UGO) for $2 billion. The acquisition was completed in November 2015.
Albertsons has been growing through acquisitions over the past few years. In 2015 they acquired Safeway Inc.2 billion including debt and United Grocery Outlet (UGO) for $2 billion. The acquisitions have made Albertsons the second largest supermarket chain in the United States after Kroger.
