Bellingham WA— Several months after transitioning several local Vons(Safeway) and Albertson’s grocery stores, Haggen, the West Coast regional grocer, announced today that it has decided to close or sell a number(27) of locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
In a statement released today, the stores are being closed in order to continue to improve its business and strengthen its competitive position. Most of the stores being closed or sold were acquired as part of the transaction in which Albertsons LLC and Safeway divested 146 stores. Additional stores will be sold or closed in the future as part of Haggen’s right-sizing strategy. The company has not determined how many jobs will be affected as a result of the closures and sales.
In July, the chain began laying off employees and reducing some full-time employees to part-time due to “The competitive activity launched in response to our entry into the marketplace – while expected – has been unprecedented. said Bill Shaner, CEO Haggen, Pacific Southwest, in a statement issued at the time of the layoff announcement. “To ensure we’re operating as efficiently as possible, we have made the very difficult decision to temporarily cut back on staff hours at our stores. Reductions will vary by store and will be made in the best interest of the business, our associates and our guests.”
“Haggen’s goal going forward is to ensure a stable, healthy company that will benefit our customers, associates, vendors, creditors, stakeholders as well as the communities we serve,” said Bill Shaner. “By making the tough choice to close and sell some stores, we will be able to invest in stores that have the potential to thrive under the Haggen banner.”
Through the acquisition, Haggen expanded from 18 stores with 16 pharmacies and 2,000 employees in the Pacific Northwest to 164 stores and 106 pharmacies employing more than 10,000 people in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona. Haggen’s original stores continue to perform well.
John Clougher, Haggen CEO Pacific Northwest, added, “Though Haggen has grown substantially, we remain committed to our core values and to support regional farms, ranches and food producers and strengthen the communities around our stores.”
Clougher and Shaner continued:
“We’re grateful to have an outstanding team along with the support of our vendor partners, financial backers and friends in the community as we take our next steps forward. Looking ahead, we will work hard every single day to earn the trust and business of our guests. We will continue to support community events and donate to schools. We will offer our customers the freshest and most local products we can find and the genuine service they deserve. And we will engage in lively discussions about how we can improve. We will remain actively involved in making our communities even better, and we will stay committed to the values that have always guided Haggen.”
San Diego County stores affected by the closings are:

• San Marcos- Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
• El Cajon- Fletcher Pkwy.
• La Mesa- Lake Murray Blvd.
• Chula Vista-Telegraph Canyon Rd.
• Chula Vista- Third Ave.
• San Ysidro- W. San Ysidro Blvd.

These stores will continue to operate while they begin the process of closing down over the next 60 days. Additional stores may be sold or closed in the future as part of Haggen’s business right sizing plan.