The recently completed merger of the Safeway and Albertsons grocery chains will have no immediate effect on the number of stores or the names of stores the combined chain operates in Clark County, a spokesperson said Monday.
“The only change customers should expect to see are improvements,” said Tarisa Worman, communications manager for Safeway’s Northwest Division in Bellevue. There are 11 Safeway stores and two Alberstons in Clark County.
The grocery chains sold 168 stores as part of the merger. Bellingham-based Haggen Food & Pharmacy acquired 146 of the stores, including 26 in Washington state and 20 in Oregon. The Oregon stores are in the Portland suburbs of Beaverton, Clackamas, Lake Oswego, West Linn and Sherwood.
Under the merger, the investment group that owns Albertsons acquired all outstanding shares of Safeway. The deal created a company with 2,230 stores under 14 banners, with 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants.It has 250,000 employees in 34 states.
