More shutdowns of Alberstons, Safeway, Vons, United Supermarkets, etc grocery stores being revealed, now that the Cerberus Albertsons hostile $9.2-billion USD takeover (some reports say $8-billion while others say it was $9.8-billion) of the country’s second largest grocery store owner, Safeway, was finalized at the end of January.
Both Safeway and Albertsons were originally founded in Idaho (Safeway in American Falls in 1915 & Albertsons in Boise in 1939). Safeway moved its HQ to California and Albertsons was taken over by evil Cerberus.
There are reports that Safeway’s Waterfront Bistro brand will actually be expanded. Waterfront Bistro is a grocery chain that focuses on seafood.
Cerberus Albertsons also took over United Supermarkets.
Reports say the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ordered Cerberus to sell off 168 stores, in the name of maintaining competition. It was motivated by legal action by attorney’s for Safeway, and the state attorney generals of Washington and Nevada.
Cerberus has sold off 12 Safeway and Albertsons stores to Texas based RLS Supermarkets, who will change the names to Minyard Sun Fresh Market. In Texas Safeway stores are called Tom Thumb.
Cerberus has sold 146 Vons and Albertsons stores to a Washington based company called Haggen. The affected stores are located in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Haggen administrators say the switchover to Haggen stores will take place during the next 120 days.
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. San Diego Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost.
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. 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.
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.
Cerberus sells-off California & Idaho based grocery stores!