Albertsons names COO as next chief executive
A big shakeup is coming to the C-suite of Albertsons Companies, Inc.
The Idaho-based grocer has announced that Susan Morris, executive VP and chief operations officer, will assume the role of CEO following the planned retirement of current CEO Vivek Sankaran, effective May 1, 2025. Morris will also join the Albertsons Cos. board of directors, replacing Sankaran.
Morris has served as the company’s executive VP and COO since January 2018. In this role, she leads the Albertsons’ retail operations, overseeing more than 2,200 stores across 34 states.
Morris has spent more than 15 years with the grocer. Her experience includes serving as executive VP of regional operations, division president in two markets, and various other roles across merchandising and operations.
“Over the past several years, the board has engaged in a thoughtful and comprehensive succession planning process to identify Albertsons Cos.’ next CEO, including evaluating internal and external candidates,” said Jim Donald, chair of the Albertsons Cos. board of directors. “The board is confident that Susan is the ideal person to lead the Company into its next chapter of growth. With a nearly 40-year career at the Company that began at an Albertsons store in the Denver market, Susan brings unmatched expertise and deep knowledge of the business. She is highly respected across the organization and industry, with a strong track record of operational success and passion for serving our customers and communities.”
Sankaran has served as CEO of Albertsons Cos. since April 2019. He had previously spent more than a decade at PepsiCo in a number of C-suite roles.
“It has been a privilege to lead Albertsons Cos. through a critical period of evolution and I couldn’t be more confident in the company’s future with Susan at the helm,” said Sankaran. “Susan embodies the best of Albertsons Cos.’ culture, with a strong track record of leading and building high performance teams. I have no doubt in her ability to usher in a new phase of growth and improve our value proposition with customers and the communities where we operate.”
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As of Nov. 30, 2024, Albertsons Cos. operated 2,273 retail food and drug stores with 1,732 pharmacies, 405 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities. The company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under more than 20 well known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.
