Ventura County health administrators, in California, are now warning that measles has been detected in dozens of restaurants and stores, including a Vons and a Albertson’s grocery stores, both in Oxnard.
The new owner of Safeway, Cerberus Albertsons, is being forced to negotiate with unionized Safeway employees in California. United Food & Commercial Workers Local 8 Golden State says their contracts expired and they “anticipate a successful resolution.”
U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar is reducing the amount of a class action settlement against Safeway. It’s from a lawsuit that was filed back in 2006 which said Safeway violated their contracted prices for home delivery service! Basically Safeway successfully argued a technical point to get the damages reduced.
Updated list:
Arizona: In Lake Havasu, three Safeway and seven Albertsons are being switched over to Haggen. I suspect that eventually some will be shutdown, it doesn’t make sense to have that many grocery stores of the same brand in one place.
California: Arcadia Vons Pavillion SuperStore to be shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost! The 32 years old Hemet Vons shutdown on 28 December 2014, at least 55 jobs lost. Company administrators claimed it had nothing to do with the hostile takeover by Cerberus. Marina Del Ray Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 80 jobs lost. Pleasanton Safeway HQ will layoff at least 26 people by 13 February 2015. In Pleasonton, Safeway issued a WARN saying an additional 18 HQ employees will be laid off in March. San Diego Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost. Six Vons and Albertsons in San Louis Obispo County to become Haggen. 25 Vons and Albertsons stores in San Diego County will become Haggen between March and May. Nine Albertsons and Vons stores in Ventura County to become Haggen. 28 Albertsons, Pavilions and Vons stores to become Haggen in Los Angeles City. Vons in Palm Desert to become Haggen. Pavillions in Rancho Mirage to become Haggen. A total of 83 California stores will become Haggen.
Colorado: Colorado Springs Albertsons shutting down in March. Cerberus administrators say it has nothing to do with their takeover of Safeway-Vons: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time, despite the best efforts of our company and associates there and the location…..That’s why we’re closing it.”
Oregon: In Lake Oswego, Albertsons being shutdown on 16 February, being taken over by Haggen in March. Cerberus administrators made the exact same claim as in their Colorado Springs shutdown saying “The store has not been profitable for quite some time.” This is interesting because according to local news reports there are only two grocery stores in the city! In Lake Grove, the Albertsons being switch over to Haggen. Safeway shutting down their Clackamas regional office, 91 jobs lost by March. Safeway in Ashland, two in Klamath Falls and one in Springfield to become Haggen. Albertsons in Baker, Beaver, two in Bend, one in Clackamas, two in Eugene and in Grants Pass, one in Keizer, Milwaukee, Sherwood, West Linn and two in Tigard.
Texas: In East Dallas, an Albertsons was renamed Minyard Sun Fresh Market. Reports said the grand opening was delayed due to problems switching over the cash register system. A second East Dallas Alberstons is expected to make the changeover to Minyard Sun Fresh Market on 16 February. Only one of the three East Dallas Albertsons will remain Albertsons. One store manager said the changes are a direct result of the takeover of Safeway. Interestingly I found a report that said Cerberus swore there would be no name changes after the takeover of Safeway, but they failed to explain the sale of 12 stores to RLS Supermarkets.
Washington: In Kirkland, reports that Goodwill thrift store is taking over the now vacant Albertsons store. Haggen took control of the Monroe Albertsons. Safeway becoming Haggen in Gig Harbor and Tacoma beginning in March. Albertsons becoming Haggen in Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma and Lakewood beginning in March. Albertsons becoming Haggen in Federal Way and Milton by June. Albertsons in Port Angeles, Wenatchee and Shoreline becoming Haggen in February. Albertsons in Redmond, Walla Walla, Snohomish, Silverdale, Burien, becoming Haggen in March. Albertsons in Seattle, another one in Burien, Renton, Bremerton and Milton becoming Haggen in June. Shoreline Safeway becomeing Haggen in February. Safeway in Everett, Renton, Oak Harbor and Port Orchard in March. Liberty Lake Safeway becomes Haggen in June.