In a bold move redefining what it means to be a supermarket in 2025, Albertsons Companies Inc. (NYSE: ACI) is no longer just serving families — it’s officially stepping up as a strategic supplier for America’s small businesses, schools, and local organisations.
This week, Albertsons announced a major expansion of its business-to-business eCommerce platform, now available across more than 2,000 stores under familiar banners like Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Tom Thumb, ACME, and Randalls. The platform offers no-minimum ordering, same-day delivery, tax exemption, and zero online mark-ups — a move that positions Albertsons as a serious competitor in the rapidly growing business procurement space traditionally dominated by wholesalers and office supply chains.
“We’re not just grocers anymore — we’re partners in productivity,” said Stephen Menaquale, SVP of eCommerce at Albertsons Cos. “This is about helping local businesses run more efficiently by eliminating the friction in everyday supply sourcing.”
A Strategic Pivot to Capture Local B2B Markets
Albertsons’ pivot comes at a time when local businesses are looking for trusted, localised suppliers who can meet daily needs without the overhead of bulk orders or warehouse memberships. From snacks and catering for breakrooms to cleaning supplies, beverages, and paper goods, Albertsons is now offering businesses the kind of retail-to-B2B convenience that bridges the gap between consumer grocery and wholesale procurement.
Industries set to benefit include:
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Small offices: Easy ordering of breakroom snacks and office catering.
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Public schools and educational institutions: Customisable options for student meals, aligned with dietary needs.
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Government and community groups: Streamlined access to food and cleaning supplies for distribution and programming.
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Residential care programmes: Reliable access to nutritious food for senior living facilities and treatment centres.
Why This Matters: Supermarkets Are Becoming Service Hubs
This move reflects a larger trend in the retail grocery sector: evolving into multi-service hubs. As traditional retailers face increased competition from eCommerce giants and delivery services, they are identifying untapped customer segments — like local businesses — and developing new digital solutions to serve them directly.
Albertsons’ initiative also challenges wholesale clubs like Costco and delivery services like Amazon Business, by offering flexibility, proximity, and personalised service, all without subscription fees or bulk quantity restrictions.
A Platform with Perks
Albertsons’ business platform is more than just an online store. It offers:
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White-glove customer service
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Flexible delivery windows, including same-day options
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Digital tax-exempt setup
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Special discounts (e.g., new businesses get $30 off with the code BIZSAVE30)
And with no account fees, it’s clear Albertsons is banking on long-term relationships, not short-term margins.
Supermarkets as Local Engines of Business Growth
By expanding its eCommerce platform to serve local businesses with the same convenience it offers households, Albertsons is blurring the lines between retail and enterprise services. This model could serve as a blueprint for the future of grocery retail — one where supermarkets are more than food providers; they’re supply chain partners.