Albertsons

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Pharmacy and identical-store sales were identified as positives for Safeway, which discussed its fourth-quarter results with analysts on Thursday.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is launching a first-of-its kind competition that could land one chef a job with the Safeway Culinary Kitchens and his/her recipe included in the Open Nature Skillet Meal line.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase three Pennsylvania-based Genuardi's stores from Safeway.

"We're extremely pleased to be adding these stores to our store base," Weis Markets president and CEO David Hepfinger said.  "We look forward to serving these communities as the lead local merchant as we have in 33 counties throughout central, eastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania. We will also be reaching out to the associates of these stores to discuss employment with our company."

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Another retailer has joined the UnitedHealth Group's Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, an initiative designed to help address the growing epidemic of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway and Kraft Foods on Thursday announced that their Help Us End Hunger (Every Bag Counts) food drive yielded nearly 362,000 bags of groceries for food banks and other hunger-relief centers throughout the United States.

In addition to helping provide products for the food drive, Kraft Foods donated $420,000 to local food banks in Safeway's U.S. operating divisions.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday named Lori Raya president of its Vons division.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Friday announced that employees volunteered more than 1 million hours in 2011 as a result of a companywide effort to mobilize its work force and transform communities.

"The number of hours, along with the stories about employees who unselfishly gave their valuable time, are inspiring and humbling," stated Larree Renda, Safeway EVP and chair of the Safeway Foundation. "Through their generosity, our employees are making a meaningful difference in the communities where they work and live."

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Friday said that the leader of its Vons division will retire after serving in the role for more than 10 years.

Tom Keller will retire from his post as president of Vons, a position he has held since 1999, on Feb. 1. An industry veteran that started his career as a food clerk in Safeway's Phoenix division more than 40 years ago, Keller "leaves an important imprint on the organization as an energetic and innovative leader," Safeway chairman, president and CEO Steve Burd said.