Posted on 10/05/2015 4:35:04 PM PDT by grundle
The Obama administration recently forced successful supermarket chains Albertsons and Safeway to sell some of their supermarkets to the Haggen supermarket chain.
Six months later, Haggen declared bankruptcy, and said it would close at least 100 of its supermarkets.
Grocery strategist Burt P. Flickinger said:
“This is the fastest (failure) in modern supermarket history… In all of retail, I haven’t seen anything like this.”
This does not surprise me. Obama is a cronyist, and everything he touches turns into bantha pudu.
Democrats do that wherever they govern.
They still own the savings & loan crash.
Well the business loss is tax deductible. We all pay partially.
In its original form, Haggens generally had nice, clean stores. Lots of local produce. Exceptionally high prices. In Bellingham, its headquarters, they routinely fought efforts by Target and Walmart to build larger stores with food sections. They touted buying local, but their store brands were anything but. In the heart of apple country their store brand apple juice was made from Chinese and Argentine juice.
How did Obama do such a thing? He has no say with anyone outside of the Executive Branch.
Obama Jinx going strong
The irony of all this is that Haggen says that the reason the stores failed was that their prices were too high.
And whose fault is that?
Well, according to Haggen, it’s Safeway’s and Albertson’s fault. Haggen is suing Safeway and Albertson for forcing them to charge too much for the goods they sell in their stores.
Here in OK...we have QT stores. They are convenience stores. Have gas, food, pop, beer...whatever. If they open up a store...and it isn't making it. They close it. Take their losses...and move on.
Amazingly....the LAT failed to mention how BO “forced” Albertson’s & Safeway to sell to this other grocer?
From one of the links in the article:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-haggen-california-20150924-story.html
Albertsons and Safeway were ordered by federal regulators to divest those locations
Yes. I remember Obama forcing certain lines of GM cars, and certain dealers, to shut down.
One of the cited articles says:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-haggen-california-20150924-story.html
Albertsons and Safeway were ordered by federal regulators to divest those locations
One of the cited articles says:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-haggen-california-20150924-story.html
Albertsons and Safeway were ordered by federal regulators to divest those locations
It says:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-haggen-california-20150924-story.html
Albertsons and Safeway were ordered by federal regulators to divest those locations
WHY?!??!?!
Under what authority or as penalty for what alleged crime??!?!?!
“How?” means, under what legal construct were they so ordered??!?!?!
Thanks for that link. Obama really didn’t force them to leave. They mismanaged their company and had to comply to bankruptcy laws.
creating food deserts one community at a time
I would go across the 101 freeway to Albertsons to shop while on my lunch from work. It is about a mile away.
Early this year they switched to Haggen’s. The prices were higher right away. The first day I talked with another customer who noticed this too and he says they are known for high prices.
I noticed the same employees but in a different employer shirt. Months go by and those same employees are gone. Haggen’s cut their hours to 29/hr to cut costs and of course obamacare. You cannot make a living on 29 hour work week!
The store was nearly empty when I would go every a week at noon. Haggen’s also made sure the employees who quit could not work at any other grocery chain as they had them sign a 1 year non compete clause. The union abandoned them.
Last week I overheard a group talking and one asked when their layoff date was. It was 2nd week of October.
The shelves were half empty for bread and several other aisles for other items like chips and soda. I notice today that in the meat dept, under the glass, it was half empty.
Haggen’s bit off more then they could chew and thousands of people are losing their jobs because of very poor management.
There are 6 other grocery stores within 3 to 5 miles I could drive to with a range of prices. Gelson’s is the most expensive while Ralph’s and Vons the least. Not counting Target a half mile away.
Also: Government meddling led to empty Haggen stores, laid-off grocery workers
http://www.dailynews.com/government-and-politics/20150828/government-meddling-led-to-empty-haggen-stores-laid-off-grocery-workers
I live in a town with one of the original 16 Haggen stores. The prices have always been way higher than Fred Meyer. Haggens is always almost empty with 1 or 2 checkers on duty. They have a much better deli than Fred’s though. I shop at Fred’s which is owned by Kroger. Only the rich can afford Haggens.
Fortunately, my local Albertson’s (in place for ~30 yrs.) has not been affected. During this year they have completely refurbished the store, adding a Starbucks, fresh sushi, bakery, produce, fantastic deli, seafood and meat depts. They have a great pharmacy, wine and beer selections, as well as attire supporting the Rangers & Cowboys.
It’s a much better store than the Target, Kroger stores only a block or two away. I shop WalMart for cheaper prices on some items weekly, but hit the Albertson’s 2-3 times a week.
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