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Albertsons named Supermarket News Retailer of the Year

Industry giant adapts and innovates in challenging marketplace

3 Min Read
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In a fast-changing retail grocery arena facing new challenges, Albertsons Cos. has reasserted itself as a force to be reckoned with.Albertsons Cos.

Supermarket News has selected Albertsons Cos., the nation’s second-largest supermarket operator, as its Retailer of the Year for 2020.

The past year has seen Albertsons successfully go public, spur growth and innovation in strategic areas such as e-commerce and private brands, and refresh its store base, among other initiatives. The result: improved customer loyalty, a resurgent financial performance and market share gains.

More recently, the Boise, Idaho-based company has effectively adapted to the vast changes brought by the coronavirus pandemic, implementing comprehensive protections for customers and employees as well as advocating for grocery workers to be designated as emergency first responders during the crisis.

“There have been an unprecedented series of events this year that have impacted all of us, and certainly the grocery industry,” said Michael Browne, executive editor of Supermarket News. “But heading into 2020 and through the turbulent year so far, Albertsons has stayed the course with its sales momentum; its immediate strong response to COVID-19; its efforts to promote diversity, equality and inclusion; its technology and branding advances; and its ability to pivot and innovate in a very challenging time. For those reasons, Supermarket News is proud to announce Albertsons as our Retailer of the Year for 2020.”

Related:Q&A: Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran sees growth phase ahead

Vivek Sankaran-Albertsons CEO-headshot.jpgVivek Sankaran, president and CEO of Albertsons Cos. (Photo courtesy of Albertsons)

The annual Supermarket News Retailer of the Year honor is chosen by the SN editorial team and goes to the grocery retailer that best exemplifies a spirit of innovation and excellence.

“Our special Retailer of the Year print issue in September will include an in-depth cover story on Albertsons plus accompanying online coverage and digital elements at supermarketnews.com, all highlighting the successes that Albertsons has achieved during this very unusual year,” Browne said.

Now under the stewardship of former Pepsi Foods North America CEO Vivek Sankaran, who joined Albertsons as president and CEO in April 2019, the retailer has made great strides in expanding its Own Brands portfolio, leveraging technology, extending the reach of its online grocery services, building an omnichannel infrastructure, growing its loyalty program, and enhancing its health and wellness offerings. The company finished its 2019 fiscal year with nine straight quarters of identical-sales increases and digital sales growth of 39%.

“With the tremendous challenges faced by everyone in the retail industry since the beginning of 2020, it is a remarkable time to be named Retailer of the Year,” Sankaran said. “On behalf of the Albertsons Cos. team across our 2,200-plus stores, we are honored to be recognized with this award by Supermarket News. Our team is focused on growth, productivity, technology and culture, and through that framework, we are earning customer loyalty and delivering an easy, exciting and friendly shopping experience to our customers, whether they shop with us in our stores or online.”

Related:Albertsons debuts as public company in $800 million IPO

Albertsons stands at No. 4 by sales and No. 12 by stores on SN’s 2020 list of the top 75 grocery retailers and wholesalers. Overall, Albertsons has 2,252 food and drug stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under such banners as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street and Haggen. The company also operates 1,726 pharmacies, 402 fuel centers, 23 distribution centers and 20 manufacturing plants.

About the Authors

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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