If you’ve lived in Chicago for more than five minutes, you know the "Jewel." It’s that familiar, slightly retro-feeling place where you grab a loaf of Turano bread and maybe a pack of Osco-branded ibuprofen. But lately, people are asking who owns Jewel Osco with a bit more urgency. Maybe you saw a headline about a massive merger or heard a rumor that your local store was getting sold off.
Honestly, the answer is a lot more stable than the news cycle would have you believe.
As of early 2026, Albertsons Companies, Inc. is the undisputed owner of Jewel-Osco. They’ve held the keys for over a decade now. But if you’re confused, it’s probably because of the absolute rollercoaster that was the "Kroger merger" drama. For two years, everyone thought Kroger was going to gobble up Albertsons—and Jewel along with it.
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That didn't happen.
The Merger That Wasn't: Why Albertsons Still Holds the Reins
For a long time, it felt like a foregone conclusion. Kroger, the giant based in Cincinnati that owns Mariano's, wanted to buy Albertsons for a cool $24.6 billion. It was going to be the biggest supermarket merger in U.S. history.
In Chicago, this was a massive deal.
Since Kroger owns Mariano’s and Albertsons owns Jewel, a merger would have put the two biggest rivals in the city under the same roof. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wasn't exactly thrilled. They sued to block it, arguing it would kill competition and drive up milk prices.
By December 2024, the whole thing collapsed. A federal judge in Oregon and another in Washington state basically said "no thanks" to the deal. Shortly after, both companies walked away. They actually started blaming each other for the failure.
So, if you were worried about Jewel-Osco becoming a "Kroger-lite" or changing its name, you can breathe. Jewel-Osco remains a crown jewel (pun intended) of the Albertsons Companies portfolio.
A Quick Look at the Parent Company
Albertsons isn't just Jewel. It’s a massive beast. Based in Boise, Idaho, they operate over 2,200 stores across 35 states. When you shop at a Jewel, you’re part of a family that includes:
- Safeway
- Vons
- ACME Markets
- Shaw's
- Tom Thumb
- Pavilions
How Jewel Became "Jewel-Osco"
It wasn't always one big happy family. The history is kinda wild. It started in 1899 with a guy named Frank Vernon Skiff delivering coffee door-to-door in Chicago via horse and wagon. Back then, it was the Jewel Tea Company.
Eventually, they bought grocery stores. Then, in 1961, they bought Osco Drug.
The "Jewel-Osco" we know today—the combo store where you can buy a steak and a prescription in one go—didn't really become the standard until the early 1980s.
Ownership has changed hands like a hot potato since then. American Stores bought them in 1984. Then the original Albertsons Inc. bought American Stores in 1999. Then, in 2006, the whole thing was split up, and Jewel was sold to SuperValu.
That was a rough era. SuperValu struggled, and the stores started looking a bit tired.
In 2013, a group called AB Acquisition LLC (which was basically the modern Albertsons backed by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management) bought Jewel-Osco back from SuperValu. They’ve been the owners ever since.
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Who Actually Runs the Show?
While Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ticker symbol ACI on the New York Stock Exchange) is the legal owner, the guy running the day-to-day operations at the Jewel level is Paul Gossett.
Gossett took over as President of Jewel-Osco in 2018. He’s an industry veteran who started his career with Albertsons back in 1977. He actually moved over from the Shaw’s and Star Market divisions in New England to lead the Chicago market.
Under his leadership, Jewel has stayed dominant in Chicago. Even with Aldi, Walmart, and Amazon Fresh breathing down their necks, Jewel-Osco still holds the largest market share in the Chicagoland area—somewhere around 22%.
Common Misconceptions About Jewel's Ownership
People get things mixed up all the time. Here are the three biggest myths floating around Chicago right now:
- "Mariano's and Jewel are the same company now." Nope. Since the merger failed, they remain fierce competitors. If you go to Mariano’s, you’re giving money to Kroger. If you go to Jewel, you’re giving it to Albertsons.
- "Jewel is being sold to Piggly Wiggly." This was almost true. To satisfy the government during the merger attempt, Albertsons planned to sell a handful of Jewel stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers (who own Piggly Wiggly). Since the merger died, those stores are staying with Jewel.
- "It's a local Chicago company." We wish. While the headquarters are in Itasca, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), the ultimate decisions are made in Boise, Idaho.
What This Ownership Means for Your Wallet
The fact that Albertsons still owns Jewel-Osco is actually pretty significant for your grocery bill.
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Because they aren't merging with Kroger, they have to keep competing. Competition usually means better sales. You’ll keep seeing those "Just for U" digital coupons and the Monopoly game every spring.
Also, it means the "Signature Select" and "Lucerne" brands aren't going anywhere. If the merger had happened, those private labels might have been replaced by Kroger’s "Simple Truth" or "Private Selection" brands.
Actionable Insights for Jewel Shoppers
If you want to make the most of the current ownership structure, here is what you should actually do:
- Lean into the App: Albertsons has invested billions in their digital platform. The "for U" rewards are tailored to what you actually buy. If you aren't clipping those digital coupons, you’re basically donating money to Boise.
- Watch the Monopoly Game: It’s a polarizing thing, but it’s a staple of Albertsons’ marketing. It usually runs from February to May. If you shop there anyway, the "Instant Win" tickets for free products are actually worth the 5 seconds it takes to open them.
- Check the Pharmacy: Since Osco is a massive part of their identity, they often have better pharmacy-to-store integration than places like Target (CVS) or Walmart.
- Stock up on "Signature" Brands: These are Albertsons' house brands. They are often identical to name brands but 30% cheaper. Since the ownership is stable, these products are consistent across the 180+ stores in the region.
Jewel-Osco has survived more corporate handoffs than most Chicago institutions. For now, the "Big A" (Albertsons) is staying in charge, and the familiar red-and-white logo isn't going anywhere.