Robert Backus

Executive Vice President, Retail Operations, East Region Albertsons

Last Reviewed: October 3, 2026

Executive Summary

Robert Backus has been Executive Vice President of Retail Operations for the East Region at Albertsons Companies since April 2024, one of two executives who lead the grocer’s store operations by region. He previously served as president of the Shaw’s division from 2020 and as senior vice president of operations from 2016. Backus began his career at Safeway in October 1990 and held roles of increasing responsibility there before Safeway merged with Albertsons. He took the East Region role in 2024, when his predecessor Michelle Larson moved to the West. He has spent more than three decades with Safeway and Albertsons.

Career Highlights

• Executive Vice President, Retail Operations, East Region, at Albertsons since April 2024.
• President of the Shaw’s division, 2020 to 2024.
• Senior Vice President of Operations from 2016.
• Began his career at Safeway in October 1990.

Professional Journey

Backus began his career at Safeway in October 1990 and served in various roles of increasing responsibility there before its merger with Albertsons, according to Albertsons’ 10-K.

He became senior vice president of operations in 2016 and president of the Shaw’s division in 2020. In April 2024 he became executive vice president of retail operations for the East Region, succeeding Michelle Larson, who moved that month to lead the West Region.

Albertsons’ 10-K lists him among its nine executive officers as of April 2026, alongside Michael Withers, who leads retail operations for the West Region. Albertsons Companies, based in Boise, Idaho, operated 2,244 retail stores with 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities at the end of fiscal 2025, according to its 10-K.

Education

No education is established in the sources read for this profile, so the field is left empty rather than estimated.