Content about Safeway Inc.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Safeway announced that it has formed a fund to aid the victims of the recent shooting that occurred in one of its Tucson stores.

The company launched the fund with an initial contribution of $100,000 from the Safeway Foundation, and is encouraging in-store contributions from Safeway customers and community members in the company’s Arizona stores.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway's board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share. The cash dividend will be payable on Jan. 13, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 23.

In related news, the retail chain's board also increased the authorized level of the company’s stock repurchase program by $1 billion to $7 billion. Through the end of third quarter 2010, Safeway repurchased approximately $5.2 billion of its stock and had approximately $800 million remaining under its stock repurchase program, Safeway said.

BALA CYNWYD, Pa. A zero-calorie enhanced water brand will be available at 55 Big Y Foods in Massachusetts and Connecticut this month.

Skinny Water currently is available at Safeway stores nationwide. The addition of Big Y increased the total retail store count to 7,079 stores nationwide, up from approximately 4,200 retail outlets at year's end 2009.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The In-Store Marketing Institute announced the gold award winner for its “Design of the Times” contest.

The Safeway June Dairy multivendor program, developed by Safeway and Mars Advertising, sought to generate category sales, increase category awareness and leverage June Dairy Month to further drive traffic to Safeway’s dairy department. The program was supported with product sampling, shopper education on the benefits of dairy and out-of-store elements, including online sweepstakes and circulars.

PLEASANTON, Calif. Grocer Safeway has unveiled its new natural personal care line called In-Kind.

The In-Kind line is comprised of lotions, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, facial products and hand soaps. The formulas are free of parabens, sulfates and pesticides, according to the company. Furthermore, the products are made with more than  90% natural ingredients.