Albertsons supermarket chain warns suppliers company is not accepting cost increases over Trumps tariffs

This buck doesn’t stop with President Trump.North America’s second-largest supermarket chain is warning its suppliers that it won’t allow price hikes due to Trump’s tariff spree.Albertsons, which operates over 2,200 grocery stores — including Balducci’s, Kings and Acme in the New York area, blasted out a missive to its suppliers late last month, explaining that suppliers must get authorization for significant price hikes.“With few exceptions, we are not accepting cost increases due to tariffs,” stated the letter, first uncovered by American Economic Liberties Project researcher Matt Stoller.“Suppliers are not permitted to include tariff-related costs in invoices without prior authorization by Albertsons Companies,” the Idaho-based chain added, “Any invoices that include such charges without prior authorization will be subject to dispute and may result in payment delays.”If suppliers want to fight for an exemption, they must file notice three months in advance by filling out forms detailing the impact of tariffs on their products and provide evidence.

From there, Albertsons will review the request, which can take 30 days.The grocery conglomerate warned that securing a price hike “is not guaranteed.”Stoller, who does anti-monopoly research, blasted Albertsons’ demands, suggesting they are unreasonable.

“That’s absurd, since the cost of many items is going to spike, and suppliers will go out of business if they can’t cover those increased costs, he wrote in a newsletter.“Yet, the arrogance speaks to the power of buyers like Albertsons.

And Albertsons is nothing compared to Walmart or Amazon.”Over recent weeks, Trump has slapped a 10% baseline tariff rate against virtually all goods coming into the US.He’s also imposed a 25% automotive tariff, 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, and 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico that don’t comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).Products coming in fro...