COSTAS Competitors

In 1939, Joe Albertson, a former Safeway district manager, took $5,000 he saved and $7,500 he borrowed from his wife’s Aunt Bertie, and partnered with L.S. Skaggs to open his first Albertsons store on 16th and State Streets in Boise, Idaho. Joe knew the keys of running a really great store, and it was all about working hard for the customers: give them the products they want, at a fair price, with lots of tender, loving care. Joe was innovative, too. He had one of the first in-store magazine racks in the country along with a scratch bakery and fresh ice cream made in store. He worked hard, seven days a week on his vision to build his company, and through his inspiring work ethic and tireless determination to run the best store, the first store thrived. Just two years later, he had opened two other stores in neighboring communities, and grew the fledgling company’s sales to over $1 million by the end of 1941. Today, Albertsons operates as a banner of Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States.

Whole Foods was founded in 1980 on the belief that where food comes from, and how it’s grown, matters. It meant creating quality standards, working with suppliers who achieve them, and sharing that information with our customers. And it radically changed the way people understood and shopped for food. The result has been the highest quality natural and organic products, an unmatched experience in more than 500+ stores, with a passionate team of over 90,000 team members, 5 percent of our total net profits given back to our communities each year, and millions of customers who put their trust in us every day.

Wegmans Food Markets is a family-owned regional supermarket chain and one of the largest private companies in the US. Recognized as an industry leader and innovator, the company was founded in 1916 and employs over 53,000 people. Wegmans has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine for 26 consecutive years, ranking #4 in 2023. We are a food market where you make the difference. We are a family-owned, values-based company on a mission to help people live healthier, better lives through exceptional food. And it all starts with you! Customers rave about our bright, beautiful stores filled with delicious food, but what keeps them coming back is you. Our warm, friendly, energetic people create the memorable experience that our customers love—turning their grocery store into their happy place.