Carrs

What Carrs does

Carrs is an Alaskan regional grocery retail chain operating 10 store locations primarily across Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, and Eagle River. Founded in 1915 as J.B. Gottstein & Company, it is the oldest business in Alaska and operates as a wholly-owned regional banner of Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI), which brought Carrs under its umbrella via the 2014 acquisition of Safeway. The company traces its lineage through the 1974 merger of J.B. Gottstein & Company and Larry Carr's grocery business and the 1999 Carrs-Safeway merger, ultimately landing under Albertsons ownership.

The company offers a comprehensive omnichannel grocery shopping experience built on the Albertsons digital platform. Core offerings include fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, deli, and general merchandise, supplemented by in-store pharmacies (including specialty medications such as GLP-1s), fuel stations at select locations, pet supplies and pet pharmacy, custom cake ordering, and ancillary services including KeyMe, Rug Doctor, Coinstar/Coinme, Western Union, and Quest Diagnostics specimen collection. Digital channels include a mobile app on iOS and Android, online ordering with DriveUp & Go pickup, Flash 30-minute delivery, and standard home delivery. The company operates multiple private label brands: O Organics, Open Nature, Signature Select, Lucerne, Waterfront Bistro, Primo Taglio, Value Corner, Soleil, ReadyMeals, and Chef's Counter.

The business model is primarily transaction-based grocery retail, augmented by subscription revenue through FreshPass ($49/year with a tailored offering for SNAP recipients offering potential savings of $1,800 annually) and Schedule & Save (5% off recurring automated orders), plus ancillary in-store service fees. The Carrs for U loyalty program drives retention with personalized digital coupons, points redemption, and up to 35% weekly savings for top members. Distribution is exclusively domestic (Alaska), targeting general Alaskan consumers, pharmacy customers, digital/online shoppers, and SNAP EBT recipients across the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kenai Peninsula metropolitan areas.

Name

Carrs

Legal name

Albertsons Companies, Inc.

Website

https://carrsqc.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Carrs is an Alaskan regional grocery banner operating 10 stores under Albertsons Companies, serving Alaska residents with full-service supermarkets offering groceries, pharmacy, fuel stations, and omnichannel delivery and pickup services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supermarket Grocery Retail

NAICS

Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) (445110)

SIC

Retail-Grocery Stores (5411)

akta.pro primary industry

Supermarket Operators with In-Store Foodservice/Prepared Foods Focus (CRAHAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Grocery & Pantry Inventory-led Online Retailers (CRAFADAF)

Keywords

• Grocery retail
• Supermarket chain
• Pharmacy services
• Grocery delivery
• Store pickup

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grocery Retail Sales: Core revenue from selling groceries, fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, deli items, and general merchandise through physical retail stores and online ordering channels.
2. Pharmacy Services: Prescription medications, immunizations, vaccinations, and pharmacy consultations offered at in-store pharmacies.
3. Fuel Station Sales: Fuel station operations at select store locations generating revenue from gasoline and diesel sales.
4. Delivery and Pickup Services: Grocery delivery and DriveUp & Go pickup services, including Flash 30-minute delivery option, generating service fees.
5. Subscription Services: FreshPass subscription program offering free delivery, premium perks, and discounts for annual subscribers, including special pricing for SNAP recipients.
6. In-Store Services: Additional services including custom cakes, Rug Doctor rentals, KeyMe key copying, Western Union, coin counting, and other ancillary services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carrs operates a chain of 10 supermarkets across Alaska, offering groceries, fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, and deli items through physical retail stores and online ordering channels. The company provides in-store pharmacy services, fuel stations, custom cake ordering, pet supplies and pharmacy, money transfer, key copying, and coin counting. Customers can shop via in-store, online ordering, DriveUp & Go pickup, standard home delivery, or 30-minute Flash delivery in select areas. The loyalty program (Carrs for U) and FreshPass subscription drive recurring engagement and delivery discounts.

Product overview

Carrs is an Alaskan grocery retail chain and part of Albertsons Companies operating over 10 locations across Alaska. The company offers a comprehensive omnichannel grocery shopping experience through its unified platform combining physical retail stores with digital services. The core offering centers on grocery retail with DriveUp & Go pickup and Flash 30-minute delivery services, supported by the Carrs for U loyalty program and FreshPass subscription service for free delivery. The product portfolio includes pharmacy services (prescriptions, immunizations, specialty medications including GLP-1s), ReadyMeals prepared food, custom cake ordering, pet supplies with pharmacy, and private label brands (O Organics, Open Nature, Signature Select, Lucerne, Waterfront Bistro, Primo Taglio, Value Corner, Soleil). Digital access is provided through a mobile app available on iOS and Android.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• O Organics®: Organic grocery products brand offering organic produce, dairy, and pantry items.
• Open Nature®
• Signature Select®
• Lucerne®
• Waterfront Bistro®
• Primo Taglio®
• Value Corner®
• Soleil™
• ReadyMeals®
• Chef's Counter

Products and services

• DriveUp & Go Grocery pickup service allowing customers to order online and collect orders at the store with no additional fees; SNAP EBT accepted.
• Flash Grocery Delivery Lightning-fast grocery delivery service bringing groceries in as soon as 30 minutes in select areas.
• Grocery Delivery Home delivery service for groceries ordered through the company's website or mobile app.
• Carrs for U Free loyalty rewards program offering personalized digital coupons, automatic cash-off at checkout, and points redeemable for grocery discounts; top members save up to 35% weekly.
• FreshPass Annual subscription offering free delivery on $30+ orders, 5% off O Organics and Open Nature brands, 2X points on exclusive brands, and premium perks; $49/year.
• Schedule & Save Automated grocery subscription service allowing customers to schedule regular deliveries and save an extra 5% on eligible grocery items.
• Carrs Pharmacy In-store pharmacy offering prescription refills, immunizations, vaccines, over-the-counter medications, and specialty pharmacy services including GLP-1 medications.
• ReadyMeals Prepared meal kits and ready-to-eat meals for pickup or delivery, including sandwiches, salads, deli meals, soups, sides, and sushi.
• Carrs Gift Cards Prepaid gift cards available for purchase for use at Carrs stores.
• Custom Cakes Custom cake ordering service for birthdays, weddings, graduations, baby showers, and special occasions, available for order online or in-store.
• Pet Supplies & Pet Pharmacy Pet food, supplies, and pet prescription medications available in-store and for pickup/delivery.
• O Organics Organic grocery products private label brand offering organic produce, dairy, and pantry items.
• Open Nature Natural grocery products private label brand offering natural and free-from products under Carrs' private label.
• Carrs Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling customers to browse weekly ads, clip digital coupons, place pickup or delivery orders, and access personalized offers and rewards.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Albertsons CompaniescoreOthersParent company after Safeway acquired Albertsons in 2014. Carrs operates as an Albertsons banner, with all stores founded on the philosophy of offering customers products at fair prices with quality service.
• StarbucksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-store Starbucks cafes operating within select Carrs locations, offering coffee and café beverages to customers.
• Alaska Airlines Mileage PlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoyalty partnership allowing Carrs for U members to link their accounts with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan for integrated rewards.
• Uber OneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership offering extended free trial of Uber One with benefits including $0 Delivery Fee and savings on rides and restaurant deliveries for Carrs for U members.
• Expedia (for U Travel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel partnership powered by Expedia allowing Carrs for U members to earn up to 10% cash back on groceries when booking travel.
• Rug DoctorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-store carpet cleaner rental kiosks offering Rug Doctor machines and cleaning solutions for customer use.
• CoinstarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoin counting machines at Carrs locations for counting coins and converting to cash or gift cards.
• CoinmeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBitcoin and cryptocurrency purchasing services available at Coinstar kiosks in Carrs stores.
• Western UnionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoney transfer and remittance services available at select Carrs store locations.
• Carrs FoundationminorOthersCorporate foundation supporting Alaskan communities through charitable giving and community programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Safeway: Sister banner under Albertsons Companies with the same digital platform, private label brands, and operating model; offers the closest direct format and customer overlap with Carrs, including pharmacy, fuel, delivery, and FreshPass subscriptions.
• Fred Meyer: Kroger-owned multi-format retailer with significant Alaska presence; directly competes for Alaskan grocery share alongside Carrs with similar big-box grocery, pharmacy, and fuel center offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Costco Wholesale: Membership warehouse club with Alaska locations; competes for share of wallet via bulk grocery and private label (Kirkland), pressuring traditional supermarket basket economics in markets like Anchorage.
• Kroger: Largest pure-play U.S. supermarket operator; its Fred Meyer banner competes in Alaska and its digital/loyalty investments (Boost membership) set industry benchmarks that Carrs/Albertsons must match.
• Walmart: Operates Supercenters in Alaska offering groceries at scale-down pricing; competes with Carrs on value-oriented assortment and is the dominant share-taker in U.S. grocery through everyday low pricing.
• Publix Super Markets: Employee-owned regional supermarket operator with strong pharmacy and prepared foods programs analogous to Carrs, illustrating best-in-class service differentiation that Carrs aspires to in its own regional markets.
• Albertsons Companies: Direct parent company of Carrs and operator of namesake Albertsons banner; shares platform, private label portfolio, and loyalty infrastructure that Carrs leverages, making it the closest large-format comparable.
• Target: Operates Alaska stores with expanded grocery aisles; competes as a general-merchandise-plus-grocery destination overlapping with Carrs on essentials and household staples.

Regional players

• Haggen: Pacific Northwest regional grocer with multi-format stores; comparable to Carrs in scale and mid-tier positioning, though primarily competing in Washington and Oregon rather than Alaska.
• Three Bears Alaska: Alaska-based regional grocer with multiple stores across the state; competes with Carrs for rural and suburban Alaskan households with a value-oriented format and similar emphasis on community roots.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/safeway
• YouTubeyoutube.com/safeway
• Facebookfacebook.com/safeway
• Instagraminstagram.com/Safeway
• Pinterestpinterest.com/safeway
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carrs-grocery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carrs