By Russ Lawrence
When Safeway and Albertsons announced their intention to merge last year, it left many in Hamilton wondering what effect that would have on the local grocery store landscape.
That question was resolved last Friday, January 30, when the newly-merged entity, now owned by Albertson’s LLC and New Albertson’s, Inc., and controlled by a Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.-led investor group, announced the completion of the merger.
“We have no plans to close any of our stores at this time,” said Tairsa Worman, Communications Manager for Safeway, Inc.
In addition, neither Hamilton store will change its name, said Communications and Public Affairs Manager Dennis McCoy.
“Safeway and Albertsons are both strong retail grocery brands, and the stores will operate under their current brands when the merger closes,” McCoy stated.
“The Safeway brand carries exceptional loyalty in the areas its serves,” Worman added, agreeing that there would be no banner changes “in the near term.”
“We plan to be the favorite local supermarket in every community we serve,” Safeway President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Edwards stated in a press release. Edwards will become President and CEO of the newly combined company.
“We will do this by knowing, listening to, and delighting our customers; providing the right products at a compelling value; and delivering a superior shopping experience. We will also continue to be active members of our local communities,” Edwards added.
The merger will create a network that includes 2,230 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants with over 250,000 employees across 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Hamilton store managers referred all questions to their corporate communications agents, and were not available to speak on the record, but those corporate spokespersons indicated that there are no near-term plans for major renovations at either store.
“We expect to move forward updating and remodeling our stores as needed,” said McCoy. “We will keep customers informed on any future enhancements in Hamilton. Our goal is to be Hamilton’s favorite local supermarket, and we will continue to provide the products and services that our customers enjoy.”
Worman seconded that, adding that “the only changes customers should expect to see are improvements.”
The merger will help the stores to “deliver the right products at a compelling value, including high quality fresh and local selections,” Worman said, and to provide “a superior shopping experience to customers in all of our stores.”
