• by Sarah Mahoney , July 25, 2025

Albertsons Cos. has named Brian Monahan as senior vice president of Albertsons Media Collective, the grocery chain’s retail media division. Monahan had been head of retail media solutions at Dentsu and brings previous leadership experience from Pinterest and Walmart.com.

The move comes as the Boise, Idaho-based company works to expand its advertising capabilities and sharpen its digital strategy. While Albertsons was once among the earlier players in retail media, it has since fallen behind rivals like Walmart and Kroger. It’s now attempting to close that gap with new hires, advertiser partnerships, and upgraded technology.

Monahan’s appointment follows the naming of the company’s first chief commercial officer, another step in what Albertsons says is a broader transformation. Most recently, the company began piloting a new in-store digital display network intended to create a more seamless connection between physical and digital experiences.

Retail media remains central to the company’s long-term plans, particularly in the wake of its failed $25 billion merger with Kroger. That collapse — with the deal unraveling in an agony of slow motion – is now the subject of litigation and placed additional pressure on Albertsons to deliver independent growth.

In an earnings call last week, Sharon McCollam, president and chief financial officer, acknowledged the company’s need to accelerate its capabilities. “We recognize that we're catching up in some ways, and our goal is to leap forward,” she said. “Our team has done a phenomenal job of condensing the amount of time it takes for us to give feedback to our vendor partners on performance of their investments.”

CEO Susan Morris added that the company has “significantly increased” its high-impact digital inventory and is investing in new ad solutions that support both endemic and non-endemic partners.  She noted that the Collective’s work, besides developing personalized relationships for advertisers, continues to benefit the company’s larger brand-building efforts: “These same solutions are also providing benefits for our internal loyalty and marketing initiatives.”

Albertsons has more than 2,200 stores, including Safeway, Vons, Shaw's and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.