Weak market demand and cautious consumer spending have pressured the U.S. supermarket operator Albertsons Companies, Inc. to release its quarterly report, lower its full-year guidance for fiscal 2026, and simultaneously launch a business restructuring plan called "ACI Edge" to address downward pressures on its core retail operations.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, which ended June 20, Albertsons Companies, Inc. reported net sales and other revenue of $24.94 billion, a slight year-over-year increase of 0.2%, primarily driven by growth in fuel sales. However, identical sales, a key metric for core retail operations, fell 0.8% compared to the same period last year. Net income attributable to the parent company dropped significantly to $84.7 million, or $0.17 per share, down from $236.4 million, or $0.41 per share, a year earlier. Additionally, due to rising online delivery and fuel costs, the company's gross margin narrowed to 26.6% from 27.1% in the prior year.

Given the ongoing pressure on consumer spending, Albertsons Companies, Inc. has comprehensively lowered its fiscal 2026 performance expectations. The company now anticipates a full-year identical sales decline of 0.5% to 1.5%, compared to its previous forecast of flat to 1.0% growth. Adjusted earnings per share guidance has been reduced from $2.22 to $2.32 to a range of $1.75 to $1.85. Adjusted EBITDA guidance has also been cut, from $3.85 billion to $3.925 billion down to a range of $3.55 billion to $3.625 billion.

CEO Susan Morris stated that while the company's digital and pharmacy businesses continued strong growth in the first quarter, the core supermarket business faced serious challenges from industry-wide volume weakness and cautious consumer spending. Morris emphasized that the company has decided to accelerate strategic investments in customer value propositions and the shopping experience, aiming to solidify its competitive market position and drive long-term shareholder value.

To optimize operational efficiency and accelerate decision-making, Albertsons Companies, Inc. concurrently announced the "ACI Edge" structural adjustment. Under this restructuring plan, the company will consolidate its 11 existing business divisions into four regions. Core store merchandise procurement and product management will be centralized under the group level, seeking to leverage national supply chain scale effects while enhancing regional market execution.

Additionally, Albertsons Companies, Inc. reported that Chief Financial Officer Sharon McCollam has decided to retire later this year. McCollam will continue in her role until a successor is named and will serve as a company advisor through the transition period until the end of February 2027.