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Albertsons Safeway store closures 2026
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Safeway closed stores in California, Oregon, and D.C. in 2026. The closures follow Albertsons' failed $24.6 billion Kroger merger.
Background
Safeway, owned by Albertsons, is closing more stores in 2026 as part of a broader downsizing. This follows the collapse of the proposed $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, which was blocked by federal judges in December 2024. The closures are primarily due to expiring leases rather than a market retreat, and Albertsons is evaluating its store network to streamline operations.
How it unfolded
- Dec 2024Federal judges blocked the proposed $24.6 billion Albertsons-Kroger merger, leading Albertsons to resume store evaluations.
- May 16, 2026Safeway permanently closed its Hechinger Mall location in Washington, D.C., after nearly 40 years, citing lease expiration.
- Aug 14, 2026Albertsons confirmed more Safeway closures, stating it continually evaluates its store network to ensure it is best positioned for the future.
- Aug 16, 2026Reports confirmed 2026 closures at 231 W. Jackson St. in Hayward, California; 2220 N. Coast Highway in Newport, Oregon; and 1601 Maryland Ave. in Washington, D.C.
Who’s saying what
- Company
- Albertsons says closures are part of evaluating its store network and that it is trying to move affected staff to other stores.
- Analysts
- Most closures stem from expiring leases rather than a broader market retreat, indicating a strategic footprint optimization.
Still unverified
The full list of planned Safeway closures has not been disclosed by Albertsons; reported closures are based on news outlets and may not be exhaustive.