Content about Safeway

November 9, 2011
Safeway flu survey: Only half of Americans will get flu shot this year

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe flu shots prevent the flu, but only half plan to get the shot this year, according to the "Safeway Seasonal Wellness Survey," conducted by Kelton Research.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe flu shots prevent the flu, but only half plan to get the shot this year, according to the "Safeway Seasonal Wellness Survey," conducted by Kelton Research.

This is especially surprising, given that 89% said getting a flu shot is “as important” (50%) or “more important” (39%) than it was five years ago.

November 8, 2011
Safeway raises $14M for breast cancer research

Safeway has announced its stores raised $14.5 million in October for breast cancer research.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has announced its stores raised $14.5 million in October for breast cancer research. The company thanked its customers and employees for their commitment to finding a cure for the most common form of cancer for women.

"We continue to be humbled by the generosity of our customers and the commitment our employees have for the cause," said Larree Renda, Safeway EVP and chair of the Safeway Foundation. "This kind of fundraising outcome will have a real and measurable impact on the science of finding a cure."

November 7, 2011
Conversocial tallies consumer complaint social media scorecard for U.S. retailers

A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

NEW YORK — A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

November 4, 2011
South of France Natural Body Care launches social media campaign, gains shelf space at mass

South of France Natural Body Care is launching a social media campaign anchored by its new blog, TheSoapDishMagazine.com, which went live Friday.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — South of France Natural Body Care is launching a social media campaign anchored by its new blog, TheSoapDishMagazine.com, which went live Friday.

October 13, 2011
Safeway sales positive thanks to fuel, loyal shoppers

Sales at Safeway are looking up thanks in large part to fuel gains, but the grocer's loyalty card program is expected to continue driving that sales momentum into next year as the company rolls out its Just for U digital marketing platform and explores health-and-wellness initiatives.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Sales at Safeway are looking up thanks in large part to fuel gains, but the grocer's loyalty card program is expected to continue driving that sales momentum into next year as the company rolls out its Just for U digital marketing platform and explores health-and-wellness initiatives.

October 3, 2011
Portland, Ore., wins Safeway's 'America's Most Natural City' FB contest

Safeway on Monday named Portland, Ore., as the winner of its "America's Most Natural City" contest and will donate $20,000 and 25 picnic tables constructed from the Guinness World Record holder for the world's longest picnic table.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday named Portland, Ore., as the winner of its "America's Most Natural City" contest and will donate $20,000 and 25 picnic tables constructed from the Guinness World Record holder for the world's longest picnic table.

The contest was inspired by Safeway's commitment to 100% natural products with its new Open Nature line, the grocer stated.

September 30, 2011
Safeway kicks off annual breast cancer awareness campaign

Safeway's annual fundraising initiative to benefit breast cancer research once again has commenced.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway's annual fundraising initiative to benefit breast cancer research once again has commenced.

September 28, 2011
Study: Supermarket pharmacies could benefit from drug patent expiries

Supermarket pharmacies could see a slight rise in gross profits next year as branded drugs lose patent protection and go generic, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.

NEW YORK — Supermarket pharmacies could see a slight rise in gross profits next year as branded drugs lose patent protection and go generic, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.

September 26, 2011
Safeway appoints chief medical officer

Safeway has appointed Kent Bradley as its new chief medical officer.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has appointed Kent Bradley as its new chief medical officer.

In his new role, Bradley will be responsible for developing and guiding the company's extensive portfolio of health care programs including its employee and consumer wellness and prevention activities. Additionally, Bradley also will assist Safeway's Safeway Health subsidiary on a range of business initiatives, the company said. He will report to Safeway EVP and Safeway Health president Larree Renda.

September 15, 2011
New survey sheds light on top supermarket customer service

Safeway and Wegmans ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

TORONTO — Safeway and Wegmans ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements, such as promotions, people and technology.

September 7, 2011
Safeway raises $10.4 million for Muscular Dystrophy Association

After ending its five-week fundraising campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's efforts to develop treatments and assist people coping with neuromuscular diseases, Safeway announced that its stores raised $10.4 million for the organization.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — After ending its five-week fundraising campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's efforts to develop treatments and assist people coping with neuromuscular diseases, Safeway announced that its stores raised $10.4 million for the organization.

The campaign, which ran from Aug. 1 through Labor Day, marked Safeway's 10th annual fundraising effort. Safeway has raised more than $58 million for muscular dystrophy charities.

September 6, 2011
Safeway: Flu shots during food trip more convenient

Safeway on Tuesday announced its offering of flu shots in its grocery stores — positioning its flu season inoculation as more convenient to drug stores.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Tuesday announced its offering of flu shots in its grocery stores — positioning its flu season inoculation as more convenient to drug stores.

"Safeway makes getting a flu shot more convenient than most other retailers offering immunizations, because consumers visit grocery stores on a regular basis," the supermarket chain stated. "In an average month, 49% of those surveyed said they visit grocery stores most often, compared [with] 8% who said they visit drug stores most often."

August 31, 2011
Safeway launches 'America's Most Natural City' contest on Facebook

Safeway announced that, through a new Facebook contest, it will donate $20,000 to "America's Most Natural City" to help maintain its park facilities.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced that, through a new Facebook contest, it will donate $20,000 to "America's Most Natural City" to help maintain its park facilities.

August 29, 2011
Safeway gives customers flu shot incentive

Safeway is helping customers prepare for the flu season by offering a new deal for those that get inoculated at its pharmacies.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is helping customers prepare for the flu season by offering a new deal for those that get inoculated at its pharmacies.

Customers that get their flu vaccine at Safeway will be awarded 10% off their next grocery purchase, according to the retailer's official blog.

Many retailers across the country have rolled out their flu vaccine programs this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu shots for everyone ages 6 months and older.

August 25, 2011
Safeway's board announces quarterly dividend

The board of directors for supermarket chain Safeway declared a quarterly cash dividend of 14.5 cents per share.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — The board of directors for supermarket chain Safeway declared a quarterly cash dividend of 14.5 cents per share.

The cash dividend is payable on Oct. 13 to stockholders of record on Sept. 22.

August 11, 2011
Mid-America Real Estate releases Chicago-area Urban Grocery Study

Two years after publishing its initial Urban Grocery Study, Mid-America Real Estate Corp.'s Urban Team has accumulated comprehensive and comparative data rendering new statistical findings and trends that may prove invaluable to grocers and other retailers planning to penetrate the urban Chicago marketplace.

CHICAGO — Two years after publishing its initial Urban Grocery Study, Mid-America Real Estate Corp.'s Urban Team has accumulated comprehensive and comparative data rendering new statistical findings and trends that may prove invaluable to grocers and other retailers planning to penetrate the urban Chicago marketplace. That data was made public Thursday, the company announced.

August 2, 2011
Safeway commences 10th annual MDA campaign

Safeway announced its 10th annual campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's efforts to develop treatments and assist people coping with neuromuscular diseases.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced its 10th annual campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's efforts to develop treatments and assist people coping with neuromuscular diseases.

July 25, 2011
United Natural Foods inks deal with Safeway

A food distributor has penned a three-year agreement with a supermarket chain to provide customers with nonproprietary natural, organic and specialty products.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A food distributor has penned a three-year agreement with a supermarket chain to provide customers with nonproprietary natural, organic and specialty products.

United Natural Foods said it will assume distribution to all of Safeway's banners, effective this October. The company said it is expecting a brief transition period from Safeway's current distributors.

July 21, 2011
Safeway sees sales, income boost in Q2

Safeway reported net income of $145.8 million, or 41 cents per diluted share, for second quarter 2011, compared with $141.3 million, or 37 cents per diluted share, during the year-ago period.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway reported net income of $145.8 million, or 41 cents per diluted share, for second quarter 2011, compared with $141.3 million, or 37 cents per diluted share, during the year-ago period.

The company reported that total sales increased 7.1% to $10.2 billion in second quarter 2011 from $9.5 billion in second quarter 2010. Identical-store sales, excluding fuel, saw a 0.5% increase.

July 18, 2011
Safeway raises more than $10.1 million for prostate cancer research

Safeway on Monday announced that its month-long prostate cancer campaign raised nearly $10.1 million as part of the company’s ongoing effort to fund research geared toward finding a cure for the leading cancer affecting men.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday announced that its month-long prostate cancer campaign raised nearly $10.1 million as part of the company’s ongoing effort to fund research geared toward finding a cure for the leading cancer affecting men.

July 15, 2011
Safeway's Dominick's division president resigns

Safeway on Thursday announced the resignation of Don Keprta, president of its Chicago-area Dominick's Finer Foods division.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Thursday announced the resignation of Don Keprta, president of its Chicago-area Dominick's Finer Foods division. 

"Don has contributed significantly to the Dominick's stores. His commitment and innovation helped the stores evolve to best serve the Chicagoland customers,” stated Steve Burd, Safeway chairman, president and CEO. “We are fortunate that he has produced a team that is prepared to continue to build on our current momentum.”

July 11, 2011
Canada Safeway launches new loyalty program

Canada Safeway last month quietly launched a new loyalty program called the SafewayClub Elite Customer, according to published reports.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Canada Safeway last month quietly launched a new loyalty program called the SafewayClub Elite Customer, according to published reports. Shoppers who qualify with a $125 weekly grocery bill can choose among a number of perks, including a nickel-per-liter discount off gasoline, 10% off roses and deli sandwiches, and cash back up to $300.

June 20, 2011
Safeway celebrates private-label brand by setting Guinness World Records title

Safeway celebrated National Picnic Day on Saturday by breaking the Guinness World Record for longest picnic table and debuting its new private-label brand.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway celebrated National Picnic Day on Saturday by breaking the Guinness World Record for longest picnic table and debuting its new private-label brand.

The record-setting picnic, held at the Marina Green in San Francisco, featured Safeway's Open Nature, a newly launched line of all-natural foods that includes meat and poultry, bread, yogurt, ice cream and salad dressing products, that were prepared by Food Network chef Tyler Florence. Safeway also succeeded at building a table exceeding 305 ft.

June 9, 2011
Safeway inks deal with Coinstar

Safeway is bringing Coinstar's self-service coin-counting kiosks to its U.S. and Canadian stores, the supermarket retailer announced Thursday.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is bringing Coinstar's self-service coin-counting kiosks to its U.S. and Canadian stores, the supermarket retailer announced Thursday.

Safeway said it agreed to install 1,400 Coinstar kiosks by the end of 2011, with installations slated to begin this month in Safeway stores and its banners, including Vons, Dominick's, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Genuardi's, Pavilions, Carrs and Pak N' Save.

June 7, 2011
Safeway announces 11th annual prostate cancer awareness campaign

Safeway once again is raising funds to support prostate cancer research.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway once again is raising funds to support prostate cancer research.

The retailer said that its month-long annual prostate cancer campaign, now in its 11th year, seeks to raise funds that will be donated to prostate cancer research. Safeway has donated more than $65.4 million to date.