Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Albertsons named former eBay and Hewlett Packard chief Meg Whitman to the newly created post of executive chair, as the grocery-store operator grapples with falling sales and cautious consumer spending.

Kroger just announced a $1.65 billion grocery acquisition while still fighting its last merger partner in court over the exact same regulatory strategy it plans to use again. The word at the center of both stories is the same, and…

Although Wall Street generally rewards grocery consolidation as a defensive play in a low-margin industry, Kroger (NYSE:KR | KR Price Prediction) is asking regulators to bless a fresh round of store divestitures while still defending itself in Delaware Chancery Court over the divestiture package from its last attempted mega-deal. Kroger announced on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, that it would acquire family-owned Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, consisting of $1.25 billion in cash consideration and the assumption of approximately $400 million in outstanding liabilities. The board unanimously approved the transaction, and the company said the deal is pending regulatory clearance with an expected close in 2027.

Yet the memory here is long, and the receipts are still landing in the financials. Albertsons (NYSE:ACI) and Kroger remain locked in dueling suits over the collapsed $24.6 billion combination that would have been the largest grocery merger ever. What’s particularly notable is that the sticking point in that litigation, which divestitures were adequate to satisfy antitrust regulators, is the same mechanic Kroger is again promising to use to get the Giant Eagle deal cleared. Kroger’s own announcement said it and Giant Eagle “expect to make limited Giant Eagle store divestitures” in connection with obtaining regulatory clearance.

Walking the Timeline From $24.6 Billion to a Courtroom The old deal was announced in 2022, blocked by federal and state courts, and terminated in December 2024, at which point Albertsons sued Kroger and Kroger countersued. Albertsons is seeking the $600 million merger termination fee, plus damages, and alleges Kroger did not take adequate steps to address antitrust concerns. The proposed remedy at the center of the case was Kroger’s plan to divest hundreds of stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers. Albertsons contends many of those stores were poor performers and provided an unappealing solution for state and federal antitrust investigators. Kroger has said it was acting on the advice of its legal advisors, and its countersuit alleges Albertsons worked covertly with C&S to pressure Kroger to divest more stores.

The discovery fight has produced two 2026 rulings worth noting. On June 26, 2026, Delaware Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Lori Will rejected Albertsons’ effort to compel Kroger to produce all communications with its outside law firms, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer and Weil, Gotshal & Manges, ruling that Kroger’s obligation was limited to documents reflecting actual legal advice and “does not extend to every uncommunicated musing of a law firm associate or a partner’s internal reaction to a meeting.” The court had earlier rejected Albertsons’ bid to compel disclosure around the departure of Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s former board chair and CEO, whom Albertsons had argued may have been distracted by unrelated personal conduct.

Merger Costs That Refuse to Roll Off The financial fingerprints of the terminated deal are still fresh. Kroger booked $684 million in merger-related costs in fiscal 2024, including $186 million in a single quarter, and $143 million pre-tax in another quarter. The most recent quarterly release, filed with the SEC on June 18, 2026, again listed “Merger-related litigation costs from terminated Albertsons transaction” as an explicit risk factor. Albertsons has repeatedly flagged the potential inability to collect the $600 million termination fee in its own filings. Kroger separately settled its lawsuit with C&S Wholesale Grocers on August 11, 2025.

What the Grocer Is Doing Now Kroger’s Q1 fiscal 2027 report delivered adjusted EPS of $1.58 versus $1.59 consensus on revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year. New CEO Greg Foran, who succeeded interim chief Ron Sargent, told analysts on the call that “Our ambition is clear: to be America’s best grocer.” CFO David Kennerly framed the balance sheet in acquisition-ready terms: “At the end of the first quarter, Kroger’s net total debt to adjusted EBITDA was 1.75 compared to our net total debt to adjusted EBITDA target ratio range of 2.3 to 2.5.” He added that the flexibility “gives us optionality to invest in high return opportunities while maintaining our commitment to investment grade credit.”

On the target: Giant Eagle is a Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania-based food and pharmacy retailer founded in 1931, with approximately $9 billion in annual sales, 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic. Foran called it “a well-run, high-quality regional grocer with a strong reputation for fresh products, pharmacy, private label and customer loyalty.” Giant Eagle sold its GetGo convenience network to Alimentation Couche-Tard for about $1.57 billion in June 2025, sharpening its supermarket footprint before the sale.

What Investors Should Keep an Eye On Kroger closed the September 2, 2026, session at $58.22, down 15.2% over the trailing year, while Albertsons finished at $12.48, off 35.2% over the same span. Albertsons’ Q1 fiscal 2027 EPS of $0.42 missed a $0.54 consensus by 21.99%, and management slashed full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $1.75 to $1.85 from $2.22 to $2.32.

Kroger’s next earnings report is scheduled for September 11, 2026, before the open, and it should offer a fresh look at how much of the Albertsons litigation is still bleeding into the P&L while the Giant Eagle divestiture package takes shape. The pattern to watch is straightforward: the same word, divestitures, is doing double duty as Kroger’s regulatory pitch and as the core allegation against it in Delaware. Long term, the largest traditional supermarket operator on Wall Street tends to compound through consolidation. Short term, the receipts from the last attempt are still on the desk.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (“Albertsons” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ACI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Albertsons and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 23, 2026, Albertsons reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, including adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.42, missing consensus estimates. The Company also lowered its full-year 2026 EPS outlook.

On this news, Albertson’s stock price fell $3.11 per share, or 21.63%, to close at $11.27 per share on July 23, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

On August 21, 2026, Albertsons Companies Inc (ACI) shares rose 3.3% to a current price of $12.38. This movement comes in the context of a volatile trading perio

, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albertsons Companies, Inc. ("Albertsons" or the "Company") (NYSE: ACI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Albertsons and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 23, 2026, Albertsons reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, including adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") of $0.42, missing consensus estimates.  The Company also lowered its full-year 2026 EPS outlook. 

On this news, Albertson's stock price fell $3.11 per share, or 21.63%, to close at $11.27 per share on July 23, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. 

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (“Albertsons” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ACI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Albertsons and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 23, 2026, Albertsons reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, including adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.42, missing consensus estimates. The Company also lowered its full-year 2026 EPS outlook. 

On this news, Albertson’s stock price fell $3.11 per share, or 21.63%, to close at $11.27 per share on July 23, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

The grocer said average order value is higher for online shoppers when they use AI-powered online shopping assistants, helping the company nab a small win in the tricky world of AI economics.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albertsons Companies, Inc. ("Albertsons" or the "Company") (NYSE: ACI).  Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Albertsons and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 23, 2026, Albertsons reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, including adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") of $0.42, missing consensus estimates.  The Company also lowered its full-year 2026 EPS outlook. 

On this news, Albertson's stock price fell $3.11 per share, or 21.63%, to close at $11.27 per share on July 23, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. 

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Albertsons Cos. pharmacies are helping customers prepare for the back-to-school season and fall with free flu immunizations and grocery savings.

INVESTOR ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of Albertsons Companies, Inc. - ACI PR Newswire

MAMA Says a Fresh High Could Come Before Mid-YearAlbertsons Companies NYSE: ACI said shareholders approved five management proposals at its 2026 annual meeting, including the election of 10 directors, the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent auditor and amendments to the company’s certificate of incorporation.

Shareholders also approved, on an advisory basis, compensation paid to the company’s named executive officers for fiscal 2025. The company said the amendment eliminating certain supermajority voting requirements and a separate amendment limiting certain officer liability as permitted under Delaware law also passed.

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Albertsons—Is It the Best Buy in the Grocery Aisle?A shareholder proposal from Oxfam seeking a report on the company’s human-rights policy and human-rights due-diligence practices did not receive a majority of votes cast and failed to pass. Albertsons’ board had recommended shareholders vote against the proposal.

Gina Cummings, vice president of policy and program at Oxfam America, told shareholders that Albertsons faced human-rights-related risks in its operations and supply chain. She cited workplace injury fines, labor disputes, reporting on child labor at milk suppliers and alleged forced labor in seafood supply chains. Cummings also said the company lacked a published human-rights policy and a clearly outlined due-diligence process. The company’s board said its reasons for opposing the proposal were detailed in its proxy statement.

New Operating and Leadership Structure 3 Contrarian "Buy the Dip" Picks—and One Area to AvoidIn a business update following the formal meeting, Chief Executive Officer Susan Morris outlined Albertsons’ strategy to become “the most loved grocer in every community” it serves. Morris said the company operates more than 2,200 retail stores, over 1,700 pharmacies, 405 fuel stations, 22 distribution centers and 19 food and beverage manufacturing plants.

The company also reported approximately 280,000 employees, service to more than 36 million customers per week, and a $16 billion own-brand portfolio that includes O Organics, Open Nature and Signature brands.

Morris highlighted changes to the company’s leadership organization. Michelle Larson expanded her responsibilities as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer to include digital operations. Evan Rainwater serves as chief supply chain officer, while Mike Withers now leads operations across the company’s store network as executive vice president of operations. Allison Pinkham joined as executive vice president and chief human resources officer.

Morris also said President and Chief Financial Officer Sharon McCollam plans to retire. McCollam will remain in her role until a successor is named and then will serve in an advisory capacity through the end of the fiscal year.

Albertsons is also restructuring its operating model under what Morris called the “ACI Edge.” The initiative will consolidate 11 divisions into four regions and centralize center-store merchandising. The four regions will be California, West, South and East.

According to Morris, the changes are intended to speed decision-making, improve product availability and preserve localized execution in fresh food, service and other store-level functions. She said the company aims to combine the benefits of national scale with the local customer connections of its individual store banners.

Fiscal 2025 Results and Capital Returns Albertsons said it ended fiscal 2025 with $83.2 billion in sales, $3.9 billion in adjusted EBITDA and $2.06 billion in adjusted free cash flow.

The company invested $1.84 billion in capital expenditures during fiscal 2025, including spending to modernize its store fleet, expand artificial intelligence, digital and technology capabilities, and enhance its supply chain. Albertsons remodeled 94 stores and opened nine new locations during the year, Morris said.

The company returned approximately $1.8 billion to shareholders during fiscal 2025, including $323 million in dividends and nearly $1.5 billion in share repurchases. That total included completion of a $750 million accelerated share repurchase program.

Morris said Albertsons increased its fiscal 2026 dividend rate by 13% to $0.68 per share. Its capital-allocation priorities are to invest in the business, maintain and grow the dividend over time, and repurchase shares opportunistically while maintaining a strong balance sheet, she said.

Fiscal 2026 Outlook For fiscal 2026, Albertsons said it is planning for a softer unit-sales environment as lower-income consumers remain under pressure, grocery-industry unit trends soften and potential supplier cost increases could add affordability pressure.

The company expects identical sales to decline between 0.5% and 1.5%. Excluding an expected 150-basis-point full-year headwind from the Pharmacy IRA, it expects identical sales to range from flat to up 1%.

Adjusted EBITDA is projected at $3.55 billion to $3.625 billion. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to range from $1.75 to $1.85, including approximately $600 million in planned share repurchases. The effective income tax rate is expected to be 24% to 25%. Capital expenditures are forecast at $1.9 billion to $2 billion. Morris said the company expects its investments in customer value to pressure near-term earnings but views them as necessary to improve customer engagement, accelerate unit growth and strengthen its longer-term business trajectory. She added that pharmacy trends remain healthy and digital continues to generate outsized growth.

About Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI)Albertsons Companies, Inc NYSE: ACI is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating a diversified portfolio of grocery store banners. Founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho, the company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Its core business activities encompass the sale of fresh produce, meat, bakery items, deli offerings, pharmacy services, and general merchandise. The company's retail operations are complemented by an in-house private-label program, featuring brands such as O Organics, Open Nature, and Lucerne, which cater to a range of customer preferences and price points.

Throughout its history, Albertsons Companies has pursued growth via mergers and partnerships.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Sharon McCollam, President & Chief Financial Officer, purchased 9,000 shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI -1.82%) at $11.48 per share on July 31, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing.

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Transaction summaryMetricValueShares purchased9,000Transaction value$103,320Post-transaction shares (directly held)567,051Post-transaction value$6.6 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($11.48); post-transaction value based on July 31, 2026 market close ($11.58).

Key questionsWhat is the scale of this transaction relative to the CFO's existing position?
The purchase of 9,000 shares represents a 2% expansion of Sharon McCollam's direct equity holdings in Albertsons Companies, which now total 567,051 shares of Class A common stock.How does the acquisition price compare to recent market levels?
The CFO executed the purchase at $11.48 per share, which was slightly lower than the $11.58 market close on the July 31, 2026 transaction date.What is the current market value of the total direct position?
Based on the Aug. 3, 2026 market close of $11.50, the CFO's 567,051 directly held shares have an approximate market value of $6.5 million.Are there any indirect holdings or other share classes involved?
No indirect holdings were reported in this filing, and the insider holds no other share classes beyond the Class A common stock involved in this transaction.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-03)$11.50Market Capitalization$5.6 billionRevenue (TTM)$83.2 billionNet Income (TTM)$65.7 millionCompany SnapshotAlbertsons operates a diversified portfolio of food and drug retail stores across the United States, generating revenue through the sale of grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care items, pharmacy services, vaccines, and fuel.The company generates revenue through multi-banner retail operations including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, and Market Street, leveraging regional brand recognition and operational synergies.Albertsons primarily serves U.S. consumers seeking convenient access to grocery staples, pharmacy services, and general merchandise, with a customer base spanning diverse geographic markets and demographic segments.Albertsons Companies operates one of the largest food and drug retail networks in the United States, with 280,000 employees and TTM revenues of $83.2 billion. The company maintains a competitive position through its multi-banner strategy, which allows it to serve distinct regional markets while capturing operational efficiencies across procurement, supply chain, and shared services. As a defensive consumer staple, Albertsons benefits from essential-demand characteristics while managing margin pressures inherent in the grocery retail sector.

What this transaction means for investorsThere are multiple reasons an insider may sell shares in a company. One reason could be the need to raise cash to fund a large personal expense, another could be for a reasonable portfolio diversification unrelated to their opinion on the company’s prospects. A third reason is one investors dread: a bearish outlook on the company’s future.

However, there is only one reason an insider buys stock: they believe the share price is going up.

By that rule of thumb McCollam’s purchase is bullish for Albertsons’s shares. A bullish factor, too, is the likelihood ACI will be at a higher price in 30 days: studies show that more often than not (around 55%) insider purchases foretell a higher stock price 30 days later.

While Albertsons faces intense competition, the simple fact is that grocery and drug stores are essential to daily life. The fact, too, that the company manages to eke out profits in such a competitive environment is a testament to the business acumen of McCollum and her fellow executives. While current fiscal year sales are expected to dip slightly, net income is expected to more than double to over $500 million. That’s a strong positive for investors. As CFO, McCollum should have the best sense that these numbers will come to pass.

The executive has been a veteran executive at various retailers over the course of her career, including Best Buy Inc (BBY -2.14%) and Williams Sonoma Inc (WSM -0.26%) , so she knows the signals of a retail business that is executing well and one that is not.

Coupled with her vote of faith in the business by purchasing shares with her own money and Albertson’s profitability, it’s a bullish signal for ACI that investors should take into account.

Chief Executive Officer Susan Morris reported a direct purchase of 39,409 shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI -0.69%) on July 28, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing.

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Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$450,051Shares purchased39,409Post-transaction shares (directly held)1,092,956Post-transaction value$12.7 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($11.42); post-transaction value based on July 28, 2026 market close ($11.58).

Key questionsHow does the acquisition price relate to the stock's recent performance?
Morris acquired shares at $11.42 per share on July 28, 2026, during a period when the company's one-year return stood at negative 41%. Shares were subsequently priced at $12.06 as of the July 29, 2026 market close.What is the insider's total remaining equity exposure?
Following this transaction, the Chief Executive Officer directly holds 1,092,956 shares. This position is valued at $12.66 million based on the market close of $11.58 on July 28, 2026.What are the operational fundamentals supporting the company?
Albertsons is a major food and drug retailer with 280,000 employees and trailing twelve-month revenue of $83.2 billion. The company operates national and regional banners including Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, and ACME.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-29)$12.06Market Capitalization$5.9 billionRevenue (TTM)$83.2 billionNet Income (TTM)$65.7 millionCompany SnapshotAlbertsons operates a diversified portfolio of grocery and drug retail stores across the United States, generating revenue through the sale of grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care items, pharmacy services, vaccines, fuel, and ancillary services.The company operates multiple retail banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, and Market Street, leveraging a multi-banner strategy to capture diverse market segments and geographic regions.Albertsons primarily serves mainstream consumers across the United States through a network of approximately 280,000 employees operating stores that provide essential grocery, pharmacy, and convenience services to local communities.Albertsons Companies represents one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenues of $83.2 billion and a market capitalization of $5.9 billion. The company's competitive positioning is anchored by its extensive multi-banner store network, established supply chain infrastructure, and integrated pharmacy operations that generate recurring customer traffic and cross-selling opportunities. As of July 29, 2026, the company has experienced significant equity value compression, with a one-year share price decline of 41%, reflecting broader sector headwinds and operational challenges in the competitive grocery retail landscape.

What this transaction means for investorsInvestors will see insiders selling for any number of reasons. These can include the need to raise cash to pay a large personal expense, the need to diversify their portfolio, or simple bearishness about the business’s direction.

There is just one reason an inside puchases shares: they believe the stock price is going to go up.

By that simple rule, CEO Morris’ purchase is bullish, adding to her position during a period of market skepticism of the business, as shown by its declining share price.

Investors should also be heartened by the fact that, more often than not, an insider stock purchase signals a higher share price 30 days later, according to studies.

While Albertsons faces intense competition, the simple fact is that grocery and drug stores are essential to daily life. The fact, too, that the company manages to eke out profits in such a competitive environment is a testament to the business acumen of Morris and her executive team. While current fiscal year sales are expected to dip slightly, net income is seen more than doubling to more than $500 million. That’s a strong positive for investors.

The executive started her career at the customer service desk of a Denver Albertsons some three decades ago, so she knows the business inside and out. Coupled with her vote of faith in the business with her own money and Albertson’s profitability, it’s a bullish signal for ACI that investors should take into account.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP ("SBS"), a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (" Albertsons" or "the Company") (NYSE: ACI) for violations of the securities laws.

INVESTIGATION DETAILS: The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Albertsons reported its Q1 2026 financial results on July 23, 2026. The Company missed analyst expectations and reduced its full-year EPS outlook. Based on this news, shares of Albertsons fell sharply.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall or David Schwartz of Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected]

WHY SBS? Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. Bringing together the extensive experience and diverse skillsets of founding partners Brian Schall, Andrew Brown, and David Schwartz, SBS is dedicated to aggressively advocating for every investor.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

CONTACT:

Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP
Brian Schall, Esq.,
Andrew Brown, Esq.,
David Schwartz, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335
[email protected]

SOURCE Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP

Key Takeaways Albertsons cut fiscal 2026 guidance after weaker grocery demand and a first-quarter earnings miss.ACI is rolling out ACI Edge to simplify operations and improve execution across the business.ACI continues investing in digital, stores and shareholder returns despite near-term pressure. Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI - Free Report) entered fiscal 2026 with two clear strengths: digital sales growth and pharmacy resilience. Those positives were not enough to offset softer core grocery trends.

The first-quarter earnings shortfall, reduced outlook and launch of ACI Edge now frame fiscal 2026 as a reset year. The company is trying to move faster, sharpen value and improve store-level execution while protecting cash returns.

Albertsons’ Q1 Results Reveal the Core PressureNet sales and other revenues increased 0.2% year over year to $24.94 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Identical sales declined 0.8%, showing that reported sales growth was not supported by broad-based demand strength.

Adjusted earnings fell to 42 cents per share from 55 cents a year earlier. Digital sales increased 13%, and pharmacy remained a source of growth, but softer industry unit trends and a more cautious consumer weighed on core grocery performance.

ACI Edge Reshapes Albertsons’ Operating ModelACI Edge reduces Albertsons’ structure from 11 divisions to four regions and centralizes center-store merchandising under one enterprise team. The goal is to simplify operations and improve accountability.

The new model is designed to speed decision-making, strengthen banner consistency and better align supplier relationships with enterprise scale. The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) remains a relevant food-retail benchmark, as investors also watch how pricing, pharmacy and private-label execution shape supermarket demand. Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) adds another competitive reference point, especially on value, where grocers must protect traffic without giving up too much margin.

Albertsons Cuts Its Fiscal 2026 OutlookAlbertsons now expects identical sales to decline 1.5% to 0.5% in fiscal 2026 compared with its prior expectation of flat to 1% growth. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be in the range of $3.550 billion to $3.625 billion.

Adjusted earnings are now expected to be $1.75 to $1.85 per share, down from the prior $2.22 to $2.32 range. The revision reflects a decision to accelerate customer-value investments before expected productivity benefits fully materialize.

ACI Balances Reinvestment With Shareholder ReturnsAlbertsons spent $522.1 million on capital expenditures in the first quarter. That included 15 remodels, four new stores and continued investment in digital and technology platforms.

Shareholder returns remain part of the plan. The board raised the quarterly dividend 13% to 17 cents per share, while Albertsons repurchased 13.4 million shares for $226.5 million and had a $2.0-billion remaining authorization.

ACI Trades Near the Bottom of Its Valuation RangeACI trades at 5.33X forward 12-month earnings, close to its one-year low of 5.08X and well below its one-year median of 8.35X. That gap is large enough to draw attention from investors focused on depressed consumer staples names.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The stock also trades at a deep discount to the Zacks sub-industry at 18.93X. Still, a low multiple does not automatically mean undervaluation. In ACI’s case, the market is also pricing in lower earnings visibility.

Albertsons’ Mixed Signals Favor Investor PatienceThe bottom line is that ACI’s reset carries both urgency and risk. Digital and pharmacy momentum show that the model still has productive assets, but weaker grocery units, lower guidance and investment pressure make fiscal 2026 harder to underwrite.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a Value Score of A, a Momentum Score of A and a VGM Score of A, alongside a Growth Score of C. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Those scores point to favorable valuation and market-characteristic signals, while the Growth Score reflects a more mixed earnings-growth profile. For now, ACI’s setup favors patience as investors wait for clearer evidence that ACI Edge can convert reinvestment into steadier sales and margin performance.

Key Takeaways Albertsons is expanding AI to improve merchandising, labor planning and supply-chain efficiency.ACI is using its 51.2 million-member loyalty program to strengthen personalization and retail media.ACI aims to grow Own Brands to 30% sales penetration to support value and higher-margin growth. Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI - Free Report) is trying to modernize a traditional grocery model without losing the local-store convenience that anchors its business.

The strategy rests on digital sales growth, loyalty data, artificial intelligence and Own Brands. Those levers can improve personalization and productivity, but they also bring fulfillment costs, technology spending and execution risk.

ACI’s Digital Sales Growth Changes the Revenue MixAlbertsons’ first-quarter fiscal 2026 digital sales increased 13%, extending the role of e-commerce in its grocery model. The company’s delivery and Drive Up & Go curbside pickup services are built around store-based fulfillment, allowing stores to support online orders rather than relying only on separate warehouses.

That convenience can deepen customer engagement and support more frequent trips across grocery, pharmacy and digital channels. The offset is margin pressure. Gross margin declined in the quarter, with higher delivery and handling costs tied to digital sales growth among the primary factors.

Albertsons Uses AI to Fund Customer InvestmentAlbertsons is advancing technology across digital experience, merchandising intelligence, labor optimization and supply-chain efficiency. These tools are intended to improve shopping journeys, promotional planning, workforce scheduling, forecasting and replenishment.

The effort ties directly into a three-year, $2 billion productivity program. Albertsons expects savings to help fund pricing, fresh execution, personalization, digital convenience and store standards, rather than simply flowing through as short-term cost cuts.

ACI Turns Loyalty Data Into Personalized GrowthAlbertsons’ loyalty ecosystem gives the company a larger base for targeted promotions and customer insights. At the end of fiscal 2025, the loyalty program had 51.2 million members and supported personalized offers across digital and in-store channels.

That data also supports Albertsons Media Collective, its retail-media business. Better personalization can improve offer relevance, lift marketing efficiency and connect grocery, pharmacy and digital shopping into a more integrated customer relationship.

The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) and Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) provide useful peer context because grocery retailers are increasingly competing on value, omnichannel convenience and retail-media monetization. Their presence raises the bar for Albertsons to turn data scale into measurable traffic and margin benefits.

Albertsons Expands Own Brands as Consumers Seek ValueOwn Brands remain another lever in Albertsons’ value strategy. The portfolio spans value, mainstream, premium and better-for-you products, including brands such as Signature Select, Lucerne and O Organics.

Management is targeting Own Brands sales penetration of 30% over time. Higher private-label adoption can improve differentiation, reinforce loyalty and support higher-margin growth, while helping cautious consumers manage grocery budgets.

ACI Stock Sell-Off Widens the Performance GapAlbertsons stock plunged 32.6% in the year-to-date period, sharply underperforming the Zacks sub-industry's growth of 3.3%. The Zacks Consumer Staples sector is up 10.1%, and the S&P 500 is up 8.1% over the same period.

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ACI’s Scores Reflect Promise With Uneven GrowthThe bottom line is that Albertsons has a credible technology and value agenda, but investors still need proof that digital scale and productivity savings can translate into stronger earnings growth. The latest outlook reflects pressure from weaker industry unit trends, a cautious consumer and the need for accelerated customer investment.

ACI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It also has a VGM Score of A, Value Score of A, Momentum Score of A and Growth Score of C. The A-rated value and momentum indicators are supportive, while the C Growth Score points to a less even growth profile.

For investors, that mix fits the current setup. Albertsons has tools to improve engagement and efficiency, but the Hold rank suggests a more balanced near-term view as the market waits for clearer evidence of earnings acceleration.

Albertsons investors who lost money after the July 23, 2026 drop may have questions about proxy statements describing executive award timing and material non-public information policies.

, /PRNewswire/ -- On July 23, 2026, Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) shares fell roughly 22% after Q1 FY 2026 results missed expectations and the Company cut full-year adjusted EPS guidance. Investors who lost money in Levi & Korsinsky is reviewing Albertsons' regulatory filings, including proxy statement disclosures concerning executive equity-award timing and policies regarding material nonpublic information. Shareholders who suffered losses are encouraged to submit your ACI loss information.

In its June 22, 2026 definitive proxy materials, Albertsons stated that the Company does not time the disclosure of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. The same proxy materials described grant dates set to be two days after the release of the Company's earnings.

Earlier preliminary proxy materials dated June 8, 2026 contained similar language concerning stock options and material nonpublic information. SueWallSt's investigation focuses on whether Albertsons investors received consistent information about executive award timing policies before the July 23 stock decline.

If you suffered a loss in ACI, send your ACI losses for review or call (888) SueWallSt.WHY SUEWALLST: SueWallSt is powered by Levi & Korsinsky LLP. Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ACI Investigation

Q: What is the ACI investigation about?A: The investigation concerns Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) regulatory and proxy statements regarding executive equity-award timing and material non-public information policies. Shares fell roughly 22% on July 23, 2026 after Q1 FY 2026 results missed expectations and full-year adjusted EPS guidance was reduced.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the ACI investigation?A: Investors who purchased ACI stock or securities and suffered financial losses may be eligible. Eligibility is based on documented losses and transaction records -- not on whether you still hold the shares.

Q: Which statements are being reviewed?A: The investigation concerns Albertsons proxy statements describing executive equity-award timing and the Company's stated policies concerning material non-public information and executive compensation.

Q: What do ACI investors need to do right now?A: Investors may gather brokerage records showing purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Contact SueWallSt, a brand of Levi & Korsinsky LLP, for a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as an absent class member.

Q: What documents do I need to participate?A: Brokerage statements or trade confirmations showing purchase dates, share quantities, prices paid, and any subsequent sale dates and prices.

Q: What if I already sold my ACI shares -- can I still recover losses?A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased and whether you suffered a loss, not whether you still hold the shares.

Q: What does it cost me to participate?A: There is no upfront cost to participate. Securities investigations and any resulting investor recovery efforts are generally handled on a contingency basis.

CONTACT:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor

New York, NY 10004

[email protected]

Tel: (888) SueWallSt

Fax: (212) 363-7171

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

SOURCE SueWallSt.com

Also from this source

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $ACI--ACI Investors Have Opportunity to Join Albertsons Companies, Inc. Fraud Investigation with SBS Law.

ARLINGTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tom Thumb, Albertsons and Randalls announced the Back-to-School Nourishing Neighbors Campaign, a fundraising effort to help fight childhood hunger.

Pre-Market Stock Futures: Futures are trading higher as we head into the busiest week of the second quarter earnings season. More than 30% (over 150 companies) of the S&P 500 are scheduled to report earnings this week. Key highlights include reports from four of the Magnificent 7 companies. The major indices closed split on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrials posting a solid 0.46% gain to finish the week at 51,974, while the S&P 500 eked out a small gain of 0.05% to finish the session at 7,411. The Nasdaq once again took a hit from chip stock selling, closing at 24,978, down 0.64%. The small-cap Russell 2000, which remains the leading index this year, up 17.6%, was last seen at 2,930, down 0.34% on the day. With oil plunging after the U.S. and Iran agreed to halt attacks, we are poised for a strong start to this busy earnings week.

Treasury Bonds: After a week of selling, the higher yields across the Treasury curve finally enticed some buyers to come in. When the final bell rang, yields were lower across all maturities, except very short-dated T-bills. The 30-year long bond finished the session at 5.16%, while the benchmark 10-year note closed at 4.68%. The Federal Reserve Governors will meet this week, and while it would be stunning if they raised rates, many will be listening closely to Chairman Warsh for clues about the path forward for interest rates. 

Oil and Gas: After a week that saw oil prices rise dramatically, sellers finally took advantage of those big moves higher, and both major benchmarks saw heavy selling on Friday. Reuters reported on Friday that Pakistan and Iran, supported by China, are seeking to restart stalled peace negotiations with the United States. The initiative follows the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding and recent military escalations in the region. That caught the sellers’ attention, and by the close, Brent Crude ended the day at $98.03, down 2.64%, while West Texas Intermediate was last seen at $90.31, down 2.04%. Natural gas closed at $2.88, down 1.17%.

Gold:  The precious metals saw some buyers emerge to end the week, as the safe-haven allure and the recent backup in spot pricing were just what the doctor ordered. Gold closed Friday at $4,051, up just 0.08%, while Silver ended the session at $58.09, up 0.98%. JPMorgan reiterated its $4,500 year-end target, which would be a strong move from current trading levels. 

Crypto: Cryptocurrencies took a sharp hit on Friday, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the retreat as the broader market digested mounting losses in tech stocks and a fresh wave of macro headwinds. Weakness in high-flying AI momentum names and the big tech heavyweights spilled over hard into digital assets, dragging the sector lower in a classic risk-off cascade. At 8 AM EDT, Bitcoin was trading at $65,149, while Ethereum was quoted at $1,962.

24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports every day to identify fresh investment ideas for investors and traders alike. These daily analyst notes include recommendations on stocks to buy, sell, or avoid, as well as new coverage initiations. Remember that no single analyst report should ever be the sole basis for buying or selling a stock.

Here are some of the top Wall Street analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen on Monday, July 27, 2026.  

Upgrades: Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL | GOOGL Price Prediction) was upgraded to Buy from Accumulate at Phillip Securities, which trimmed the target price for the tech behemoth to $425 from $450. Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies, which raised the price target for the legacy motor vehicle giant to $17.50 from $14.50. Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) was raised to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Sandler, which bumped the target price for the shares to $20 from $18. Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at KGI Securities, with a $107 target price. Sirius XM Holdings (NASDAQ: SIRI) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Wells Fargo, which raised the target price for the shares to $30 from $18. Downgrades: Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup, with an $11 target price. Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ: HBAN) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Bank of America, which sliced the target price to $18.50 from $20. Stellantis NV (NYSE: STLA) caught a double downgrade at Piper Sandler from Overweight to Underweight, which cut the price target for the Jeep and Dodge automaker to $4 from $14 Warner Bros. Discovery (NYSE: WBD) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Seaport Research, without a price target. Vale SA (NYSE: VALE) was cut to Neutral from Buy at Goldman Sachs, which trimmed the target price for the stock to $16 from $18. Initiations: Cadre Holdings (NYSE: CDRE) was initiated with an Overweight rating at JPMorgan with a $40 target price. Clean Harbors (NYSE: CLH) was started with a Buy rating at Bank of America, which has a $360 target price. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RYTM) was initiated with an Overweight rating at JPMorgan, which has set a $145 target price for the shares. Terawulf (NASDAQ: WULF) was started with a Buy rating at Chardon, with a $32 target price. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) was initiated with an Overweight at Piper Sandler, with a $253 target price. 

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Albertsons Companies experienced a sharp share price drop after Q1 2026 results showed revenue growth but significant margin contraction and declining identical sales. Despite lowered guidance and ongoing margin pressures, ACI remains highly cash generative, with moderate leverage compared to peers and an extremely cheap valuation. Management is accelerating transformation via the ACI Edge initiative, centralizing operations and investing in cost-cutting and technology to restore profitability.

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) Q1 2027 Earnings Call July 23, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Company Participants

Cody Perdue - Senior Vice President of Treasury, Investor Relations and Risk Management
Susan Morris - CEO & Director
Sharon McCollam - President & CFO

Conference Call Participants

Edward Kelly - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Mark Carden - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
John Heinbockel - Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Research Division
Thomas Palmer - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Leah Jordan - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Erica Eiler - Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division
Paul Lejuez - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Simeon Gutman - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Robert Ohmes - BofA Securities, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Welcome to Albertsons Company's First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] This call is being recorded. I would like to hand the call over to Cody Perdue, Senior Vice President, Treasury, Investor Relations and Risk Management. Please go ahead.

Cody Perdue
Senior Vice President of Treasury, Investor Relations and Risk Management

Good morning, and thank you for joining us. With me today are Susan Morris, our CEO; and Sharon McCollam, our President and CFO. Today, Susan will provide an overview of our first quarter results and perspective on the current operating environment, including the actions we are taking to improve execution, strengthen our customer value proposition and position the business for stronger long-term performance. Sharon will then cover our financial results and updated outlook before we open the call for Q&A.

I would like to remind you that management may make forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Securities Laws. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors identified in our filings with the SEC. Any

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) today announced that Sharon McCollam, the company's President and Chief Financial Officer plans to retire later this ye

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) (the "Company") today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, which ended June 20, 2026. First Quarte

MAMA Says a Fresh High Could Come Before Mid-YearAlbertsons Companies NYSE: ACI reported weaker-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2026 results and lowered its full-year outlook, citing continued grocery unit pressure, softness among lower-income shoppers and planned investments to improve its customer value proposition.

On the company’s earnings call, CEO Susan Morris said identical sales declined 0.8% in the quarter, while adjusted EBITDA totaled $1.013 billion and adjusted earnings per share were $0.42. Morris said pharmacy and digital remained areas of strength but were not enough to offset broader pressure in the core grocery business.

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Albertsons—Is It the Best Buy in the Grocery Aisle?“These results were below our expectations, and we're taking decisive action to improve future performance,” Morris said. She said Albertsons is accelerating execution and making targeted investments in value, fresh, personalization and convenience, even though those actions are expected to weigh on near-term earnings.

Albertsons Launches ACI Edge Operating Model A central theme of the call was the rollout of “ACI Edge,” a new operating model designed to simplify Albertsons’ structure and improve execution. Morris said the company is moving from 11 divisions to four regions: California, West, South and East. Albertsons is also centralizing Center Store merchandising.

3 Contrarian "Buy the Dip" Picks—and One Area to AvoidMorris said the changes are intended to help the company “move faster, make better decisions, scale successful ideas more consistently, and deploy resources” toward banners and capabilities with the greatest opportunity. The new model is intended to combine national scale in areas such as merchandising, sourcing, supply chain, technology and talent with regional accountability in fresh, service, store standards, local merchandising and community connection.

Each region will be led by an Albertsons executive with end-to-end responsibility for performance, while one enterprise merchandising organization will manage category strategy and supplier partnerships. Morris said leadership appointments are complete, Center Store centralization has begun and work streams across merchandising, sourcing, supply chain and overhead are underway.

Albertsons expects ACI Edge to generate approximately $200 million of incremental annual run-rate benefits, with savings building through fiscal 2026 and the majority realized in fiscal 2027. The company expects about $50 million of transition costs across fiscal 2026 and 2027. Morris said the savings are intended to fund reinvestment in value, fresh execution, personalization, digital convenience and unit growth.

Updated Outlook Reflects Softer Demand and Value Investments President and CFO Sharon McCollam said first-quarter performance fell short of expectations and that the company moved quickly to address the issues. Identical sales decreased 0.8%, reflecting ongoing industry unit declines and macroeconomic pressures. McCollam said the decline was most pronounced among lower-income customer segments, where Albertsons saw softness in both units and baskets.

Reported identical sales were also pressured by approximately 100 basis points from the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on pharmacy and 50 basis points from egg deflation. Excluding those headwinds, McCollam said identical sales increased approximately 0.7%, driven by pharmacy scripts and digital growth.

Albertsons updated its fiscal 2026 outlook to reflect a more cautious view of the consumer environment and increased investment in customer value. The company now expects:

Identical sales of negative 0.5% to negative 1.5%, or 0% to 1% excluding an expected 150-basis-point full-year headwind from the pharmacy Inflation Reduction Act impact. Adjusted EBITDA of $3.55 billion to $3.625 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.75 to $1.85, including approximately $600 million of share repurchases during fiscal 2026. An effective tax rate of 24% to 25%. Capital expenditures of $1.9 billion to $2 billion. McCollam said Albertsons expects only gradual improvement in industry units and modest improvement from its own actions through the balance of the year. She said improvement is expected to come primarily from the grocery side of the business, while pharmacy will face tougher comparisons from prior-year script buys.

Digital, Loyalty and Pharmacy Remain Growth Areas Morris said digital sales grew 13% during the quarter, with penetration increasing to nearly 10.5%. She said the company’s loyalty ecosystem continues to scale personalization, with engaged members shopping more frequently and with higher average baskets than non-members.

Flash delivery remained the fastest-growing part of Albertsons’ digital offering. Morris also said e-commerce, including first-party and third-party businesses, was profitable in the first quarter. In response to an analyst question, McCollam said e-commerce still creates negative gross margin mix pressure because its gross margin rate is lower than traditional grocery, even though the business has “tipped over into profitability.”

Pharmacy also remained a key growth platform. Morris said reported pharmacy sales continued to be pressured by the Inflation Reduction Act and brand-to-generic mix, but Albertsons continued to see outsized script, immunization and clinical service growth. She said the pharmacy business is profitable on a standalone basis and continues to improve.

Albertsons’ retail media business also grew in the quarter, with on-site revenue up significantly year over year. Morris cited increased monetization of new and existing display placements, the launch of a branded entertainment offering called Shopper Informed Content and the integration of sponsored product discovery into AI-powered conversational search.

Company Emphasizes AI, Productivity and Targeted Pricing Morris said technology and AI are foundational to ACI Edge. Albertsons is focusing enterprise AI efforts on digital customer experience, merchandising intelligence, labor optimization and supply chain optimization. Initiatives include conversational search and planning tools, AI-assisted category planning and promotion tools, an AI-powered workforce management platform expected to roll out enterprise-wide in early 2027, and machine learning tools for forecasting, inventory and replenishment.

Albertsons also reiterated its broader productivity target. Morris said the company remains on track to realize more than one-third of its three-year, $2 billion productivity target in fiscal 2026, and said the simplified operating model is uncovering additional opportunities.

During the Q&A session, Morris said pricing investments are “very surgically and selectively” targeted and are not broad-based discounting. She said investments are being made in specific markets and categories where customers are making purchase decisions, including around price perception, fresh, personalization and convenience. Morris said Albertsons is not making a major change to its high-low promotional pricing strategy or moving to an everyday-low-price model.

Morris said lower-income customers are shifting to private label, value packaging and cheaper proteins, while higher-end customers appear more resilient. She also said the company’s largest leakage among lower-income shoppers is to major competitors including Walmart, Amazon and, to some degree, Aldi.

CFO Sharon McCollam to Retire The call also addressed McCollam’s planned retirement. Morris credited McCollam, who joined Albertsons in 2021, with helping shape the company’s financial, operational and strategic priorities. Morris said Albertsons is conducting a comprehensive search process that includes both internal and external candidates.

McCollam said it had been “a privilege to serve Albertsons” and that she would retire with confidence in the company’s future. She thanked Morris, the board, shareholders and Albertsons associates for their support.

Morris closed the call by saying Albertsons’ priorities are clear and that the company is focused on improving the trajectory of the business through ACI Edge, targeted customer investments and continued focus on digital, loyalty, media, AI and data-driven personalization.

About Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI)Albertsons Companies, Inc NYSE: ACI is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating a diversified portfolio of grocery store banners. Founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho, the company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Its core business activities encompass the sale of fresh produce, meat, bakery items, deli offerings, pharmacy services, and general merchandise. The company's retail operations are complemented by an in-house private-label program, featuring brands such as O Organics, Open Nature, and Lucerne, which cater to a range of customer preferences and price points.

Throughout its history, Albertsons Companies has pursued growth via mergers and partnerships.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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