Albertsons was founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho as Albertson’s Food Center. The original store had free parking, a money-back guarantee on products and an ice cream parlor, all firsts at the time.
The company expands to Oregon, Washington, Utah and Montana during the 1950s.
In 1959, the company goes public.
In 1964, the company expands to California with the acquisition of Greater All American Markets.
In 1976, the company begins building superstores and starts to phase out its traditional grocery locations.
In 1979, the first warehouse store is opened.
In 1992, the company acquires Jewel Osco and their 74 stores.
In 1999, the chain acquires American Stores Company in a huge acquisition deal.
In 2004, the company acquired both Shaw’s and Star Markets chains.
In 2006, the chain was acquired by SuperValu and taken private.
In 2013, the chain was acquired from SuperValu by Cerberus Capital Management.
Today, Albertsons operates over 1000 stores in 29 US states under 8 separate brands.