-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 vNUdKxOCwghRq4nA303jeQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000003333-04-000035.txt : 20040616
<SEC-HEADER>0000003333-04-000035.hdr.sgml : 20040616
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040616160501
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000003333-04-000035
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040607
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040616

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOWNES ADRIAN J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001293862

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06187
		FILM NUMBER:		04866426

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		208-395-4781

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 PARKCENTER BLVD
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 20
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83726

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALBERTSONS INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000003333
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				820184434
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 PARKCENTER BLVD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 20
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83726
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2083956200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 PARKCENTER BLVD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 20
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83726
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000003333</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALBERTSONS INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>abs</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001293862</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOWNES ADRIAN J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>250 PARKCENTER BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>PO BOX 20</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOISE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>ID</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>83726</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Group VP &amp; Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>35000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>35000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Deferred restricted stock units with dividend equivalents paid in cash quarterly granted under the Albertson's, Inc. Amended and Restated 1995 Stock-Based Incentive Plan.  The units vest annually in 20% increments after being held for 1 year.  The vested units will not be distributed in stock to the participant until he retires or otherwise leaves the employment of the Company.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Adrian J. Downes</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----