How woke is Albertsons?

Introduction

Albertsons Companies, one of America’s largest grocery retailers, has firmly embraced woke ideologies, making diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a key part of its corporate strategy. The grocery giant, which competes with industry heavyweights like Walmart, Costco, and Safeway, has woven progressive policies into its branding, philanthropy, and business operations. But is this a genuine commitment to inclusivity, or a calculated effort to align with left-wing corporate trends?

Financial Contributions to Progressive Causes

Albertsons doesn’t exactly scream its political donations from the rooftops, but the American Democracy Scorecard sheds some light on the matter. It has a history of supporting organizations aligning with progressive values, though it’s not transparent about the details. 

On their community impact page, Albertsons talks about being “committed to creating a future where everyone can thrive – with initiatives that support social and racial equity.” Let’s not forget Newsweek’s take on their article about Kamala Harris, Democrats, and the economy. Albertsons has been involved in political conversations that lean left, which hints at a tendency to engage in woke topics. 

Prioritization of DEI Policies

Albertsons is practically waving a flag that says, “Look how inclusive we are!” In 2024, they launched their Fourth Annual Supplier Diversity Program, which focuses on working with minority—and women-owned businesses. They remain dedicated to identifying and supporting diverse-owned companies and ensuring their products and suppliers align accordingly. 

Albertsons’ DEI webpage doesn’t hold back on the corporate-speak, with statements like, “Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion drives every aspect of our business.” And in case you’re still wondering about their woke credentials, Albertsons earned a top score on the Disability Equality Index. 

Meanwhile, the now-terminated merger between Kroger and Albertsons had previously raised questions about the company’s future commitments, particularly regarding its DEI policies and supplier diversity initiatives. Critics argued that large-scale grocery chain mergers often lead to consolidation, potentially harming minority-owned businesses—despite Albertsons’ public commitment to supporting them.

However, on December 11, 2024, Albertsons officially terminated the $25 billion merger after a federal court blocked the deal over antitrust concerns. In the aftermath, Albertsons filed a lawsuit against Kroger, alleging breach of contract and seeking substantial damages, signaling a contentious end to the failed merger.

Mandatory Training Sessions

Surprisingly, there’s not much out there about whether Albertsons is putting employees through mandatory woke training sessions on topics like unconscious bias or critical race theory. Maybe they’re keeping that part under wraps or haven’t jumped on that yet. Either way, it’s a mystery for now.

However, companies like Kroger-owned King Soopers have faced backlash for implementing such programs, leading to speculation about whether a merger with Albertsons would result in similar initiatives across both brands.

Support for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Albertsons has made its commitment clear by donating $16,000 to The Trevor Project, a leading LGBTQ+ organization. Supporting The Trevor Project aligns with its mission to foster diversity, equity, and belonging in all communities it serves.

Their social media presence certainly suggests they’re all about that Pride life. Look at their Facebook post celebrating Pride Month, where they proudly declare, “We are proud to celebrate Pride Month and support our LGBTQ+ employees, customers, and communities.”

This strategy mirrors moves made by other major grocery stores such as Costco and Walmart, which have also ramped up their LGBTQ+ support in recent years.

Marketing and Branding

Albertsons has a fancy Media Collective that uses first-party data to ensure they hit the right audience with the right message. And in case you’re curious about how they’re approaching their product lines, they work to reflect the communities they serve. Albertsons is consolidating its private label brands to deliver products that reflect the communities they serve.

However, with the looming merger between Kroger and Albertsons, some industry analysts question how much branding and marketing strategies will change if the two companies combine forces. Will they continue emphasizing DEI-focused branding, or will they shift their messaging to appeal to a broader audience?

Conclusion

Albertsons has positioned itself as a company fully embracing progressive corporate policies, from its DEI initiatives to its LGBTQ+ advocacy and marketing strategies. However, its future took an unexpected turn with the collapse of its highly publicized proposed merger with Kroger. After facing regulatory challenges, including a federal court injunction siding with the FTC and state attorneys general, the deal was officially terminated on December 11, 2024. In response, Albertsons filed a lawsuit against Kroger, seeking significant damages for breach of contract.

With the merger off the table, Albertsons now faces the challenge of maintaining its competitive edge in the increasingly consolidated grocery chain market, where giants like Walmart, Costco, and Aldi continue to dominate. The company has outlined plans to expand its e-commerce presence, invest in digital advertising, and enhance automation to drive future growth. Whether its focus on DEI and progressive branding will remain a central strategy or shift in response to financial and legal pressures remains to be seen. For now, Albertsons finds itself at a crossroads, navigating both the fallout of the failed merger and the evolving world of the supermarket industry in 2025.