[giotto]

A pox on both their houses.

I remember when the unions drove Safeway clear out of Texas, about 12 years ago. Safeway stores became Apple Tree, which was later bought out by Randall's, which had higher prices and fewer stores than Safeway.

I usually shop at both Safeway and Albertsons here in No. California, but I will be doing all of my shopping at Safeway, until this blows over. Besides, Safeway has home delivery, no delivery fee on orders over $150, the same prices as in the store, and really fresh meats and produce.

[Smogger]

It was likely massive debt from Safeway's enormous leverage buy out in the late 80's led by KKR (same ppl that LBO'd RJR Nabisco) They abandoned Southern California around the same time.

They still are saddled with a crippling multi-billion dollar debt from that LBO and subsequent takeovers of Vons, and a Chicago based grocer among others. They simply paid too much for those acquisitions.