Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Albertsons demonstrates moderate environmental commitment with recycling initiatives (765M lbs cardboard, 25M lbs plastic in FY2025) and 500+ energy efficiency projects completed. However, the company has not disclosed Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions data, lacks a defined net-zero target year, and acknowledges 405 fuel centers creating petroleum storage/environmental liability exposure. Risk factors indicate dependency on energy and fuel with no quantified renewable energy percentage. The company explicitly states compliance with environmental laws has not had material adverse effect, suggesting minimal current environmental burden but also limited proactive decarbonization infrastructure investment. No verified evidence of operational power-use reductions or renewable electricity commitments; sustainability goals are stated as aspirational but not quantified with timelines.

Criticisms on file

Petroleum Storage and Environmental Liability Exposure
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'The storage and sale of petroleum products could expose us to potentially significant liabilities.' Company operates 405 fuel centers; subject to CERCLA and state environmental remediation statutes with potential strict and joint-and-several liability for contaminated sites.
Undisclosed Emissions Footprint
Source: ACI 10-K Item 1 Environmental Section and Risk Factors: No Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions disclosed; no net-zero target year published. Risk factor acknowledges 'corporate social responsibility and sustainability goals, commitments, and targets' are subject to 'risks and uncertainties' and may be 'more costly than anticipated.'
Climate Change Supply Chain Vulnerability
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'Severe weather, natural disasters and other climate changes may adversely affect our business.' Acknowledges adverse climate impacts on crop yields, livestock, seafood; drought, flood, wildfires disrupt supplier networks and product availability.

Disclosed initiatives

Waste Recycling Program

Recycled approximately 765 million pounds of cardboard and more than 25 million pounds of plastic bags and film during fiscal 2025.

Operational waste diversion; no quantified emissions reduction or offset verification disclosed.
Energy Efficiency Projects

Completed over 500 energy efficiency projects across store and distribution center operations during fiscal 2025.

Indicates incremental efficiency improvements; scope, energy savings magnitude, and renewable integration not disclosed.
Sustainable Sourcing Commitment

Company states commitment to 'maintaining the highest standards of environmental stewardship (including procuring and offering sustainably sourced products).'

Qualitative commitment; no third-party verification, percentage of sourcing, or supplier audit results disclosed.

Social story

Albertsons demonstrates mixed social performance. The company employs 280,000 associates with approximately 190,000 (68%) covered by collective bargaining agreements—a notably unionized workforce indicating structured labor relations. Long tenure is emphasized: 56,000+ associates with 15+ years service; 43,000+ with 20+ years. The company provides learning/development programs, comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and flexible scheduling. However, CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio is not disclosed, preventing assessment against the 200:1 threshold. No documented union-suppression activities are evident; the company reports 'successfully renegotiated' collective bargaining agreements covering 126,000 employees in FY2025, with 22,000 more expiring in FY2026. Leadership diversity metrics (executive/board percentages) are not disclosed; Allison Pinkham appointed as CHRO in February 2026, indicating recent diversity focus. Supply-chain ethics disclosures are minimal: company states expectation that suppliers comply with labor/safety/environmental laws but provides no audit results, third-party certifications, or conflict-mineral/forced-labor statements. No material strikes or active union conflicts disclosed within 24 months.

Criticisms on file

Potential Labor Cost Pressures and Wage Negotiation Disputes
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'In future negotiations with labor unions, we expect that health care, pension costs and/or contributions and wage costs, among other issues, will be important topics for negotiation. If, upon the expiration of such collective bargaining agreements, we are unable to negotiate acceptable contracts with labor unions, it could result in strikes by the affected workers and significantly disrupt our operations.'
Undisclosed CEO-to-Median-Worker Pay Ratio
Source: ACI 10-K Executive Officers section lists CEO Susan Morris (age 57, appointed May 2025) and compensation structure not provided in filing. Median worker wage not disclosed, preventing Dodd-Frank pay-ratio assessment.
Insufficient Supply Chain Labor/Human Rights Auditing
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'We source our products from vendors and suppliers and related networks across the globe who may be subject to regulatory actions or face criticism due to actual or perceived social injustices, including human trafficking, non-sustainable practices, child labor or environmental, health and safety violations.' No modern slavery statement, conflict-mineral policy, or third-party audit certification disclosed.

Disclosed initiatives

Learning and Development Programs

Formal and informal opportunities including eLearning, on-demand content, virtual/in-person classes, on-the-job training, mentoring, and third-party conferences for top talent.

Career advancement pathways documented; no quantified participation rates or skills-acquisition outcomes disclosed.
Associate Experience Survey and Town Halls

Annual associate experience survey; regular town halls where all employees can ask questions of executives.

Formal voice mechanisms; no aggregate feedback results or responsiveness metrics disclosed.
Competitive Compensation and Benefits

Comprehensive, accessible, affordable healthcare; paid time off; flexible work schedules; family leave; associate assistance programs; 401(k) retirement plan. Wages described as 'competitive' and 'job-appropriate.'

Benefits package comparable to industry; actual wage levels relative to market or living wage standards not disclosed.
Health and Safety Management

Commitment to 'prevention of injury and illness through strong health and safety management, employee empowerment and accountability, strict compliance with health and safety regulations.' Hotline for reporting workplace concerns and violations provided.

Policy framework documented; no OSHA injury rates, safety incident trends, or third-party audit results disclosed.

Governance story

Albertsons exhibits governance structures with material constraints. Board independence percentage is not disclosed, preventing direct assessment against the 75% threshold. Share structure is single-class common stock with no dual-class voting premium identified; however, Cerberus Capital Management beneficially owns approximately 30% of outstanding shares and holds governance rights under a Stockholders' Agreement, creating concentrated influence over director election, corporate policies, and major decisions—a structural risk factor flagged by the company. Annual lobbying expenditures are not disclosed. The company faces multiple active legal proceedings: litigation related to the failed Kroger merger (with $600M termination fee uncollected), class-action employment/wage-hour suits, antitrust claims (both federal and state), opioid liability claims, and consumer-protection litigation. No evidence of active climate-deregulation lobbying or shareholder-litigation-blocking tactics disclosed. Risk disclosures acknowledge exposure to antitrust scrutiny and pharmacy-related regulatory risk. The company's ABL Facility and indentures permit substantial additional debt and contain restrictive covenants limiting capital allocation flexibility.

Criticisms on file

Concentrated Shareholder Control and Governance Rights
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'Cerberus beneficially owns in the aggregate approximately 30% of our common stock and Cerberus has certain governance rights pursuant to a Stockholders' Agreement. As a result, Cerberus may be able to influence (i) the election of our directors, (ii) our corporate and management policies and (iii) other matters submitted to our stockholders for approval.' Risk further notes Cerberus may acquire competing investments and pursue acquisition opportunities unavailable to Albertsons.
Failed Kroger Merger and Associated Litigation Costs
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'In the course of conducting our business, arising in or outside of the ordinary course, we are and may become a party to various legal proceedings, including lawsuits related to the termination of the merger agreement with Kroger... These significant costs, along with our inability to collect the termination fee of $600 million from Kroger, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.'
Multiple Active Legal Proceedings and Antitrust Exposure
Source: ACI 10-K Risk Factors: 'We are and may become a party to various legal proceedings, including lawsuits related to the termination of the merger agreement with Kroger, class actions in matters involving personnel and employment issues, federal and state wage and hour laws, personal injury, antitrust claims based on both federal and state law, packaging or product claims, claims related to the sale of drug or pharmacy products, such as opioids, claims invoking consumer-protection statutes, intellectual property claims and fiduciary and securities claims.'
Undisclosed Annual Lobbying Expenditure
Source: ACI 10-K does not disclose annual lobbying spend. Thomas Moriarty (EVP, M&A and Corporate Affairs) leads 'Government Relations' function; no itemized lobbying positions or expenditure transparency provided.

Disclosed initiatives

Audit and Compliance Framework

Company operates within 'strict and complex regulatory environments' including antitrust, privacy, data protection, environmental, healthcare, tax, accounting, food safety, and licensing laws. Risk factor acknowledges compliance complexity.

Regulatory compliance infrastructure acknowledged; no independent audit opinion or third-party certification of governance effectiveness disclosed.
Workplace Concerns Reporting Hotline

Hotline provided for associates to report workplace concerns and violations; described as supporting 'a safe, open and accountable work environment.'

Internal reporting mechanism established; no aggregate complaint volume, resolution rate, or third-party audit of hotline efficacy disclosed.
Executive Succession Planning

CEO Susan Morris appointed May 2025; Chief Human Resources Officer Allison Pinkham appointed February 2026. Company identifies talent management process to 'identify and assess talent across the organization.'

Active executive transitions and talent pipeline development noted; formalized succession plan for Board or key positions not disclosed.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Albertsons Companies, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Albertsons Companies, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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