At the Table with…Jack Pestello

At Albertsons Companies, our mission is to earn Customers for Life. From our exclusive Own Brands portfolio to our in-store and digital shopping experiences, we are focused on providing value to our customers and making their lives easier.

Our people are key to achieving this mission, which is why we're launching a new blog series highlighting leaders across the company that help bring this vision to life every day.

Today, we're featuring Jack Pestello, President of our Own Brands portfolio. Jack and his team are responsible for the $16.5+ billion dollar private label portfolio featuring trusted brands including Signature SELECT®, O Organics®, Lucerne®, Overjoyed® and Open Nature® that provide quality, value and ease in every corner of our stores.

Jack, tell us about your team, and what makes your department so special?

Our customers love our Own Brands. Consumers around the world are looking for retailers that deliver quality products at lower prices, drive new innovation and enhance the shopping experience through products and services.

Our incredibly talented Own Brand team partners with merchants, operators and suppliers to ensure our private label assortment throughout the store is meaningful, steeped in quality and offers a cost and price advantage in the category. Through our Own Brands, we're able to drive new flavors, deliver on trends and provide exciting innovation to our customers.

What are your top 3 favorite Own Brands products? Why?

We have over 10,000 products in our Own Brand portfolio, and my online and in-store basket are always filled with them. I have a weakness for pizza, and our Signature SELECT thin crust pepperoni is one of my favorites. I also love gathering with family and friends, and we often enjoy a delicious charcuterie board filled with Lucerne cheeses and Primo Taglio deli meats. When I'm looking for something fresh, I head to the produce department and pick up a variety of salads and O Organics produce.

What food or well-being trends do you see our customers excited about most? What products or services are the most popular in stores?

Our customers are looking for great value, innovation, healthier options that taste great and indulgence. Our amazing stores deliver on all these fronts.

Our fresh department continues to innovate with convenient, ready-to-eat meals as well as options you can cook at home. We offer great deals and everyday value on the items our customers buy most frequently, including Signature SELECT chicken, freshly baked donuts and fresh-cut fruit. We're also introducing exciting new products and flavors, such as our delicious, marinated meats like cilantro chicken thighs and carne asada, along with new flavored chicken varieties like our sweet & smokey BBQ roasted chicken. Plus, we feature seasonal offerings. This March, make sure to check out our pixie tangerines.

We're proud to be able to account for and deliver on every occasion that our customer needs. Whether they are stocking up on groceries for the week, picking up a healthy lunch or need indulgent treats for a party, we have them covered.

What feature on our mobile app or online shopping experience should every customer know about?

I love the Meals Hub feature with quick and easy shoppable recipes.

It really helps me think about different options for dinners and gives great ideas for meals and snacks to serve at events with family and friends.

Why do you love working here?

Albertsons Companies has a rich history of running great stores in neighborhoods across the country. Our national reach and local connection to each community gives meaning to the work we do every day. Our ability to work across the company to build an amazing assortment of Own Brands that are both a great value and high quality is a fun, challenging and exciting journey.