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Albertsons to shift to third-party online grocery delivery in some markets

Home delivery fleet to be discontinued next month, resulting in driver layoffs

Russell Redman

January 7, 2021

4 Min Read
Albertsons_Market_Street_store_format_copy.jpg
Albertsons said it plans to discontinue use of its own home delivery truck fleet in 10 states starting on Feb. 27, which will result in the layoff of delivery workers.Albertsons

Albertsons Cos. is ceasing its own online grocery delivery operation in a portion of its market areas and shifting exclusively to third-party delivery service providers.

Confirming news reports this week, Albertsons said it plans to discontinue use of its own home delivery truck fleet in 10 states starting on Feb. 27, which will result in the layoff of delivery workers. The company didn’t specify the number of workers affected but said it “made the strategic decision” in early December to end its own online grocery delivery in those areas.

“Our HR teams are working to place all impacted associates in stores, plants and distribution centers. We will transition that portion of our e-commerce operations to third-party logistics providers who specialize in that service. While we know that this move will help us create a more efficient operation, it wasn’t a decision we made lightly or without a great deal of consideration,” Albertsons said in an email statement yesterday.

While changing consumer behavior during the COVID-19 crisis has triggered a boom in e-commerce sales across the supermarket industry, online grocery profitability has remained challenging for most companies.

“This decision will allow us to compete in the growing home delivery market more effectively,” Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons noted. “Since the COVID-19 outbreak, our e-commerce business has risen to new heights and has become more strategically important to Albertsons Cos. Our goal is to truly make e-commerce a competitive advantage.”

Related:Teamster workers call for improved COVID-19 safety at two Albertsons distribution centers

Albertsons has been expanding online grocery delivery across its retail banners and, as of the end of August, home delivery was available in 90% of stores via Instacart and Albertsons’ own delivery service, with the latter offered at roughly 65% of stores. Albertsons Cos. store banners also work with DoorDash, Shipt and Uber Eats for grocery and/or food delivery service.

Since the start of the pandemic, Albertsons has seen digital sales skyrocket, jumping 243% in its fiscal 2020 second quarter ended in September following a 276% gain in the first quarter. That growth also has fueled expansion of the retailer’s Drive Up & Go pickup service. Albertsons now has around 1,400 curbside pickup sites and aims to reach 1,800 by the end of fiscal 2021.

Albertsons said its company divisions plan to offer jobs to each impacted delivery associate but added that it’s “too soon to speculate how many associates will ultimately accept positions.”

“All associates who stay in their current roles through the end of this transition but choose to leave may be eligible to receive severance benefits according to the company’s plan. We will work with them on their individual situation,” Albertsons stated. “We are also offering an incentive bonuses to associates in those positions who stay through Feb. 27.”

Related:Walmart, Albertsons start administering COVID-19 vaccinations

The nation’s second-largest supermarket operator, Albertsons operates 2,252 food and drug stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under banners such as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.

Although published reports said Albertsons was making the delivery service change in the wake of California’s passage of Proposition 22 in November, the transition already was being considered by the company. Proposition 22 classifies “gig economy” app-based transportation and delivery drivers — such as for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart — as independent contractors rather than as employees, which would entitle them to full benefits as well as labor protections such as minimum wage, overtime and sick leave.

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Labor released its final rule to clarify the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The rule, which would go into effect March 8 if approved, is expected to make it easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors.

United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) chided Albertsons in response to reports that the retailer plans to lay off grocery delivery drivers at its Vons and Pavilions stores in California.

“All across California, Vons and Pavilions grocery workers have been bravely serving on the frontlines since the pandemic began, putting their own health at risk to ensure Californians have the food they need during this crisis. Now, with COVID-19 outbreaks spiraling out of control and overwhelming hospitals across California, it is stunning that Albertsons would fire these courageous and hard-working men and women keeping our food supply secure,” UFCW International President Marc Perrone said in a statement.

“For seniors, high-risk individuals, and countless more who are quarantining, Vons and Pavilions grocery delivery drivers have been a trusted and crucial lifeline, providing access to food for some of the most vulnerable Californians,” Perrone said. “Exploiting the passage of Prop. 22 to destroy the good-paying jobs of these dedicated frontline workers, in the middle of this public health crisis, is simply wrong. As the union for grocery workers across California, UFCW is calling on Albertsons to immediately halt these plans and to put the health of their customers first by protecting the jobs of these brave essential workers at a time when our communities need them most.”

About the Author

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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